BRAZILIAN MUSIC AND DANCE
Brazil is a colorful country known for some really attractive dance-forms, and some of them have gained immense popularity on the international level. But do you know the history of these dances? Read on to discover the history of Brazilian dances...
Dance is a form of non-verbal communication for expressing human experiences, which in the course of time has developed into a form of art. Brazil is a land of many popular dances that contain the elements of African, Portuguese and European dance forms. Samba, carimbo, capoeira, Furro or Forro and lundu are some of the famous dances of Brazil. Here is an account of the origin and evolution of these dances.
Brazil is a colorful country known for some really attractive dance-forms, and some of them have gained immense popularity on the international level. But do you know the history of these dances? Read on to discover the history of Brazilian dances...Dance is a form of non-verbal communication for expressing human experiences, which in the course of time has developed into a form of art. Brazil is a land of many popular dances that contain the elements of African, Portuguese and European dance forms. Samba, carimbo, capoeira, Furro or Forro and lundu are some of the famous dances of Brazil. Here is an account of the origin and evolution of these dances.
Music of Brazil
The Music of Brazil encompasses various regional music styles influenced by African, European and Amerindian forms. After 500 years of history, the Brazilian music developed some unique and original styles like choro, sertanejo, brega, forró, frevo, samba, maracatu, Bossa nova, MPB, Brazilian rock, axe and others. Samba is no doubt the best known form of Brazilian music worldwide, though Bossa nova and other genres have also received much attention abroad. Brazil also has a growing community of modern/experimental composition, including electro acoustic music. All genres of Brazilian music formed a solid tradition.
The Music of Brazil encompasses various regional music styles influenced by African, European and Amerindian forms. After 500 years of history, the Brazilian music developed some unique and original styles like choro, sertanejo, brega, forró, frevo, samba, maracatu, Bossa nova, MPB, Brazilian rock, axe and others. Samba is no doubt the best known form of Brazilian music worldwide, though Bossa nova and other genres have also received much attention abroad. Brazil also has a growing community of modern/experimental composition, including electro acoustic music. All genres of Brazilian music formed a solid tradition.
These are some of our dancesSamba
Samba is what immediately comes to mind at the very mention of Brazilian dance. Some believe that samba was derived from the word 'semba', which signifies a naval bump in Kimbundo, the African Bantu language, and symbolizes the invitation to dance from a man to a woman. 'Semba' is also an infinitive of 'kusamba', which means 'to pray', or to appeal for the favor of the Gods or ancestors by singing and dancing. So, the dance was an indispensable part of the religious ceremonies.
Samba is usually performed by couples, reflecting each other's steps. The rhythm is 2/4 at a time, or 2 beats to a bar of music. There are three steps to every bar of music, or three steps to two beats. The first step performed by women involves sliding of the right foot smoothly and placing the weight of the entire body on it. In the second step, the left foot is slided slowly and the body weight is shifted to it. In the third step, the right foot which has been raised is allowed to come back to the floor with the entire body weight placed on it. In men, the steps are similar but, they start with the left foot unlike women.
Samba is what immediately comes to mind at the very mention of Brazilian dance. Some believe that samba was derived from the word 'semba', which signifies a naval bump in Kimbundo, the African Bantu language, and symbolizes the invitation to dance from a man to a woman. 'Semba' is also an infinitive of 'kusamba', which means 'to pray', or to appeal for the favor of the Gods or ancestors by singing and dancing. So, the dance was an indispensable part of the religious ceremonies.Samba is usually performed by couples, reflecting each other's steps. The rhythm is 2/4 at a time, or 2 beats to a bar of music. There are three steps to every bar of music, or three steps to two beats. The first step performed by women involves sliding of the right foot smoothly and placing the weight of the entire body on it. In the second step, the left foot is slided slowly and the body weight is shifted to it. In the third step, the right foot which has been raised is allowed to come back to the floor with the entire body weight placed on it. In men, the steps are similar but, they start with the left foot unlike women.
Capoeira
Capoeira is another important Afro-Brazilian dance, and believed to have evolved from martial arts. It was also created in Brazil by African slaves, mainly from Angola. However, there are lots of controversies regarding the origin of this dance. Some historians are of the opinion that it directly evolved from the African fighting style, while others think that it is a Brazilian dance having both Brazilian and African influences.
Though there are considerable differences of opinion regarding the origin of the dance and its name, it is an undeniable fact that the dance steps have close similarity with martial arts, as a lot of fighting movements like kicks, sweeps, punches and elbow strikes can be seen in this dance. The participants usually form a circle and then take turns in pairs in playing a musical instrument, or singing or performing fighting acts in the center.
Carimbo and Lambada
Carimbo is the name of both the dance and the large drums that accompany it. In Tupi language, it means the drum. Carimbo is a folk dance of the Para state in Brazil, in which African, Portuguese and European influence can be noticed. It is a sensual dance, where the woman tries to cover the man with her skirt. Sometimes, the woman throws her handkerchief on the floor, which her male partner has to retrieve by using his mouth.
Lundu
Lundu, or Lundum is also a dance form brought by the African slaves, and it became very popular in Brazil during the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The basic musical instruments involved are guitar, piano and drum. This dance also involves the use of handkerchief and castanets, an instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood, or bone, and is held between the thumb and the fingers.
Lundu, or Lundum is also a dance form brought by the African slaves, and it became very popular in Brazil during the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The basic musical instruments involved are guitar, piano and drum. This dance also involves the use of handkerchief and castanets, an instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood, or bone, and is held between the thumb and the fingers.
Forro
Forro, derived from the word forrobodo, means 'great party'. However, there is another theory that suggests that forro is the derivative of the English 'for all'. It is one of the most popular dances of Northeastern Brazil and can be danced to the rhythm of different music genres. The instruments used in this dance are accordion, zabumba and a metal triangle. A lot of variation can be observed in the dancing style of forro in different regions of Brazil. It is danced with partners and the participants move in proper synchronization, performing many complex steps.
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