The gift of Samba

 The Dance of Freedom: How Samba Connects Movement, History, and the Soul

There are moments in life when we encounter something that stirs our soul in unexpected ways, reigniting a passion or shifting something deep within us. For me, that moment came through samba—a dance with roots so deeply entwined in history, culture, and liberation that every step becomes a journey in itself.

I started attending a boisterous samba class taught by a dark-eyed Latina dancer named Cici. She is wild, unapologetically takes up space, and approaches samba with an academic seriousness that reveals her love and reverence for its history and tradition. Her dedication to the craft is palpable. Every time I leave her class, I find myself weeping—not from sadness, but from a profound sense of joy and release. There’s a shift in my soul, as if some part of me that had been hidden or dormant has been unlocked and set free.

Samba’s Roots: The Rhythm of Resistance and Celebration

Samba is more than just a dance; it’s an embodiment of history, resistance, and cultural fusion. The origins of samba can be traced back to African rhythms and dances brought to Brazil by enslaved people, particularly those from the Congo and Angola. These rhythms mixed with indigenous Brazilian and European influences, evolving into the samba we know today. Despite its joyful exterior, samba was born out of the pain and resilience of the African diaspora.

Historically, samba was a way for enslaved and marginalized communities to express themselves, to find freedom in movement despite the oppressive forces they lived under. It was, and still is, a celebration of life, survival, and the human spirit. Even as samba moved from the senzalas (slave quarters) and favelas into the mainstream, becoming a symbol of Brazilian national identity, its core remained the same—an expression of joy, strength, and resistance.

Two Sides of Samba: From Bahia to Rio

My own journey with samba started many years ago when I played capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that also has roots in resistance. Through capoeira, I learned Samba de Roda, a traditional, more masculine style of samba deeply connected to Bahia. In Bahia, Samba de Roda emerged alongside capoeira in the early 19th century as a way for enslaved Africans to preserve their culture and celebrate life despite their circumstances. It’s a circular dance, marked by spontaneous movements, clapping, and call-and-response singing. The energy is raw, earthy, and deeply rooted in community.

The samba I dance now, however, is quite different. It’s feminine, expressive and tied to the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro, where samba has become a defining feature of the city’s culture. Unlike the spontaneous Samba de Roda, Samba no pe is more structured, yet equally expressive. It’s the dance of Carnival, where vibrantly dressed dancers move to the syncopated beats of the bateria, electrifying the air with their rhythm. Samba in Rio is both an art form and a celebration of Brazilian heritage, bringing together the spirit of community and the beauty of individual expression.

The Power of Samba: Finding Freedom in Dance

What moves me so deeply about samba, particularly in Cici’s class, is how it allows space for both history and personal expression. Cici approaches samba with reverence, reminding us that this dance isn’t just about moving our bodies but about tapping into something much deeper—a connection to our ancestors, to the rhythm of life itself. Her love and dedication to this craft make me weep after every class, not from sadness, but from a sense of liberation. Each movement becomes a release of something long held inside—a fear, a doubt, or perhaps a part of myself I had forgotten.

Samba teaches me that freedom is not just an external state but something that begins within. It’s about allowing ourselves to take up space, to move without inhibition, and to express who we truly are. In the act of dancing, I’ve found a new kind of joy and connection—not just to the music, but to myself and to a history that stretches far beyond me.

Dance as Healing and Transformation

The beauty of samba lies in its ability to bring people together, to celebrate life, and to heal. In a world where we often feel disconnected from ourselves and each other, samba offers a space for reconnection. It teaches us to move with intention, to feel the music in our bodies, and to let go of whatever is holding us back.

For me, samba is a practice of liberation. With each step, I feel a little lighter, more open, and more connected to the joy that is available in every moment. It reminds me that freedom isn’t just something we fight for externally—it’s something we cultivate from within.

As I continue this journey, I am reminded of how dance can be both a deeply personal and profoundly communal experience. Through samba, I’m learning to embrace the fullness of life—its challenges, its history, and its beauty. And with each class, I step a little closer to the freedom I seek, not just in the external world but in the quiet space within my soul.

The Call to Dance

If you’ve ever felt the pull of movement, the call of rhythm, or the need to express something beyond words, I encourage you to try samba. Whether you’re new to dance or have been moving for years, samba has a way of opening you up—body, heart, and soul. It’s a dance of freedom, of connection, and of joy.

In a world where we often feel constricted by expectations, obligations, and societal pressures, samba offers a space to break free. To move, to feel, to be fully alive. Through samba, I’m finding a new sense of joy and connection, not only to the dance itself but to the deep well of freedom that resides within each of us.

~Shanti Freedom Das