samba, ballroom dance of Brazilian origin, popularized in western Europe and the

United States in the early 1940s. Characterized by simple forward and backward
steps and tilting, rocking body movements, it is danced to music in 4/4 time with
syncopated rhythm. Couples in ballroom position dance in place or around the floor,
but partners may separate to execute variant steps. The dance derives mainly from
the maxixe, a dance fashionable in about 1870–1914.

Learn about the origin and culture of the samba de roda

Learn about the origin and culture of the samba de rodaSee all videos for this
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In Brazil, away from the ballrooms, an older, very African type of samba is also
danced. Sometimes called bat