The Roots of Samba: An Afro-Brazillian genre now celebrated as Brazil's national music

Samba is an Afro-Brazillian dance style and music genre that was once frowned upon and now is the national music anthem that has significantly impacted Brazil into the country it is today. 

How did this happen? Well, Let’s dig deep.

Slavery and white supremacist practices have a long history in Brazil. African slaves were forbidden from following their native religions throughout the 1800s. Owners of slaves worried that their charges would incite violence or rebellion during religious events. Due to their refusal to abandon their religious beliefs, the African slaves began to practice in secret and incorporated them into other activities like dancing, singing, and music. The outcome was Samba.

As Samba gained traction and recognition, Europeans developed enjoyment for all forms of black music. These musical movements in Rio were largely influenced by black performers. Afro-Brazilians have been creating elaborate and intricate musical traditions for hundreds of years, fusing West African, Afro-diasporic, and European influences.

During the festivities of Brazil's drumming and dancing traditions, these musical activities blossomed.

Because of the country's sizable Black and mixed-race population, the Brazilian government and elites were greatly impacted by the numerous racist scientific works being published in Europe. The country's past made attitudes towards blackness very problematic.

As a result, many Brazilian white intellectuals created a racial process known as  "whitening." They felt that by breeding with the dark-skinned population, European immigrants might help outnumber the black people.

However, throughout the initial decades of the 1900s, these same intellectuals developed a love for the music and dancing styles linked with Afro-Brazilians. Though they increasingly enjoyed Black music, they sought a white home nation. Even as they brought national attention to genres like samba, they remained consistent in their support of white supremacist ideology.

Even with the racial inequality Afro-Brazillians have experienced regarding Samba, it is now a huge music genre that is not only popular in Brazil, but across the globe. Ironic isn't it?

Former slaves have been inspired by Samba's uplifting spirits and upbeat rhythm during difficult times, and this inspiration has spread around the globe. Its roots are in the customary religious rites that African slaves brought to Brazil.

Samba's connection to the Brazilian Carnival symbolizes racial and social harmony. This popular Afro-Brazillian/African-rooted genre that was once frowned upon is now a genre that is listened to and danced to not just in Brazil, but around the entire world. 

It is impossible to comprehend Brazil's musical environment without taking into account the enormous cultural influence that slaves carried to the Americas. Numerous musical styles of the nation, such as samba originated from slavery and developed throughout the next decades. There is still much to learn and investigate on how Africa has influenced Brazilian music, but one thing is certain. Without the influence of Afro-Brazilians, Brazilian music would sound significantly different.