Samba de Roda is a popular event that developed in the State of Bahia and Recôncavo during the seventeenth century. It relied heavily on the cultural traditions of local African slaves, which led to the introduction of the Portuguese language, poetry, and musical instruments. The performance also integrated elements of African and Portuguese culture.
In the early twentieth century, the Samba de Roda became a major part of the popular culture among people of African descent in Brazil, but it was finally brought to Rio de Janeiro by migrants, where it influenced the evolution of urban sambas that eventually became a symbol of Brazilian national identity.
The Samba of Roda is performed during many occasions, such as religious festivities, and Afro-Brazilian ceremonies, but it’s also performed in more spontaneous settings. Participants of the dance, including beginners, are invited to actively learn the moves by watching and imitating. One of the defining characteristics of the Samba of Roda is the formation of a circle, called roda. It is generally performed only by women, where each one takes their turn in the center of the ring while the others dance in the circle, clapping and singing.
Traditionally, the choreography is improvised, based on the movements of the feet, hands, and hips. One of the most common movements is the umbigada, a belly push, which is a testimony to the influence of Bantu culture. Besides its distinctive dance steps, Samba de Roda also differs from other types of samba through its use of instruments, such as the viola machete – a small lute with plucked strings from Portugal – and response songs.
As the influence of mass media and contemporary popular music has grown, the Samba has been undervalued by the younger generation. As practitioners age, the number of artisans capable of making certain instruments is shrinking. This poses a further threat to this tradition.
Nonetheless, the Samba de Roda is still alive and well in Cachoeira. Young girls are kitted out in traditional dresses and learn how to dance them long before they can read or write. Some are unaware that their ancestors are African and that the village has ties to the slave trade. Even with this knowledge, they can sense the Samba de Roda's connection to their history. For them, it's more than just a dance, it’s the soul of the Afro-Brazilian culture. |Subject=Art, dance, Entertainment and Recreation, Music |Country=Brazil |Region=Bahia |SDG=(11) Sustainable Cities and Communities }}