Amongst the different styles that make up what is known as Brazilian music, the samba stands out as the most characteristic and popular, both in Brazil and abroad. Its origins can be traced back to 17th century Bahia, where slaves captured in Angola and Conga landed, divulging their semba gatherings (at that time called umbigada, or belly bumping).

At the closing of the 19th century, the city of Rio de Janeiro (at that time the country's capital) became Brazils major cultural center.  A melting pot of rhythms of diverse origins, such as the polka, the Lunda, the Habanera, the Maxixe would blend with the old African rhythm from the semba gatherings, generating the samba process.

In the beginning of the 20th century, the neighborhoods adjacent to downtown Rio Estácio (Saúde and Praça Onze) became the ultimate bastion of this genuinely Brazilian rhythm.  That was where the "baianas", affectionately called "aunts" by the people, settled. They were based on the traditional figure cut by heavy-set women from the state of Bahia. Wearing their wide, white garbs, swaying to their own rhythms, they contributed to this "migratory movement," which hastened the blending of those styles, culminating in the creation of samba.

The photo on the right is an aerial view of the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro.  This is where the Schools of Samba present their parades.  This gives you some idea of the proportions Samba can have today.