Like football, Samba is a feature of Brazilian culture without which life couldn't be understood. Samba is an intoxicating form of music (and dance) characterised overlapping and interlocking drum rhythms. It first appeared when the occupying Portuguese brought African slaves to Brazil and it’s been alive in the hearts and feet of every Brazilian ever since.

At its beginning, samba was played using hands & cutlery on plates or boxes, in Brazil's poorer homes and neighbourhoods (Favellas). As time passed, samba moved into small bars and restaurants, many of which remain. Inevitably, then, as Samba grew, it spilled onto the streets of every city and became the infamous Carnaval.

Almost every street and town in Brazil has its own carnaval with miriad diversities in rythym, traditions, dances and melodies, but at the heart of everything is the Rio Carnaval in which the nation's top schools of samba compete.

Each school works thoughout the entire year preparing for the next carnaval: Every school chooses a theme, which informs the music composed, the lyrics, dance and the decoration of its costumes and floats. All aspects of the show are judged in the contest. Competition is so feirce that many fans take part in rehearsals along with the dancers! Everybody who loves samba has his favourite school and actually learns the song that the school will sing and play, in an effort to help them win the carnaval.

While listening to these hot rhythms, its hard not to move your feet. The beauty and magic of samba makes us forget about daily routine and all problems – we are just dancing and celebrating the simple joy of just being a part of samba.

here are many different styles of samba. The one played during the carnaval on the streets is called samba enredo. Others are: samba choro, cançao, de breque, de gafeira and pagode (the most popular one). Each differs from the other in rhythm, instrumentation, dance routine, history, roots and in feelings expressed.