Samba Roots

Paper Summary:

The writer notes that Samba is described by Ed Morales, an expert of Latin music in, 'The Latin Beat', as an amalgamation of Afro-European culture that has become one of the many Brazilian points of pride and independent culture. The writer then looks at the history of the word Samba and at the music and the dance. The writer maintains that Samba will likely grow in expression and development, as more and more people become aware of the cultural diversity and richness of the Brazilian social landscape. The writer further discusses that Samba is the backbone of the long procession that dominates the economy, ideals and cultural expression of Brazil. The writer concludes that there is a sense that Samba connects the celebration to the people and it also demonstrates the link between all those who watch and participate in the events.

From the Paper:

"Though the music has more often been associated with various forms of civil unrest and been subverted officially, with raids of events and police action being taken against those who celebrate around samba. Once greater tolerance for African customs and ritual religious performance art was achieved in Brazil there was an establishment of an infrastructure that celebrated and promulgated the genre to its local and then global heights, known as samba schools.
"The origins of the musical genre, and its name are not completely agreed upon, it is thought that the word Samba is an amalgam of the word, semba, a Bantu word meaning to pray or invoke the African gods and as a noun it was meant as something akin to "the blues" a cry or complaint."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barad, Huntley. "A History of Samba." ND, from: http://www.brazilianmusic.com/samba.html
• Morales, Ed. The Latin Beat: The Rhythms and Roots of Latin Music, from Bossa Nova to Salsa and Beyond. Da Capo Press, 2003.
• Nkowane, Chilemwa H. "World Music Central: Samba Brasileiro a History" 2004, from: http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20040720105726323
• Perrone, Charles. Masters of Contemporary Brazilian Song. Dallas, TX: University of of Texas Press. 1993

More papers on Samba Roots:

• Essay # 62689 : "Samba"
• Essay # 36606 : "The Mystery of Samba"
• Essay # 5080 : "To the Beat of the Drums"

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