History of Latino Dance Styles
Samba is an Afro-Brazilian music and a style of dance that is commonly danced at carnivals, festivals, and ballroom competitions. It can either be danced to 2/4 or ¾ time, and consists of quick rhythmic steps, weight shifts and swaying of the hips with arms corresponding with hip and leg movements. It originated from dances, music, and religious practices of the West African slaves that were brought to Brazil during the slave trade in the 16th century. By the 19th century, when slavery in Brazil was abolished, descendants of the slaves moved to Rio de Janeiro where Samba further developed. One of the styles it descended from was the Brazilian maxixe, which is similar to tango In its original form, it was a group dance that did not involve physical contact between men and women. Both were to move their feet quickly to the rhythm, and women danced with their hips and shoulders, while the men did not and would dance around the women in a circle. In the US, Samba evolved into a couple’s dance performed in ballrooms in the 20th century. In Brazil today, it remains a solo form, and it is now one of the most popular dance styles in South America.