Samba de Roda

Samba de Roda is a traditional Brazilian dance from the region of Recôncavo located in the state of Bahia. It combines traditions of African Slaves and those of the Portuguese. This dance spread to other parts of Brazil where it became base for the development of the Samba known to people all over the World as one of Brazilian national symbols.

Samba de Roda is usually danced only by women. Dancers performing the dance form a circle or “roda”. Each woman takes her turn by dancing in the circle. Those in the circle accompany her by clapping their hands and singing. The most famous part of the choreography is the “umbigada” or belly push.

Music for this dance is performed by the orchestra which includes pandeiro (hand frame drum), atabaque (traditional hand drum), berimbau-viola (a single-string musical bow of high-pitch sound) and chocalho (rattle).