The Samba (or Mesemba) which means ‘to Pray’ is an Afro-Brazilian dance from Bahia, Brazil. It is said to have been derived from a dance called the Lundu, (adding a ballroom hold), The West African-Slaves, Portuguese Songs and Indian rituals. When different body motions and carnival steps were added to the dance, it would be called the “Zemba Queca”, which was described as “a graceful Brazilian dance” way back in 1885 and later became known as the Mesemba and finally mixing with the Maxixe during the 1900’s became known as the Samba.

The samba is the main dance done at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil since 1935, however, its roots go way back in ancient times. Today during Carnival it is no longer danced as a couple dance in Brazil. The dance usually consists of a “Long Quick-Short Quick-Slow” rhythm.