• Like the music and song of the South American country of Brazil, its dance is varied and complex; hailing from centuries of external influences coupled with the deeply entrenched cultures of the local Amerindian tribes. Because dance is used by cultures old and new to express themselves, tell tales and convey messages in very personal ways, there are no real rules. However, certain dances have been formalised and perfected, and continue to be popular amongst local and international dancers alike. These include:

 

• The Samba: The Samba hails from ancient African beats and customs. For some time, the upper class Brazilians viewed this form of dance as being lewd and obscene, forcing the lower classes (in terms of social status) to perform the dance in private. This created a sort of underground culture.

 

• The Capoeira: This dance is believed originally to have been a form of martial arts that was also accompanied by music. It too has its roots in the African cultures. This art form was particularly well choreographed, displaying much discipline and skill, and was never performed without musical accompaniment. The dance that has developed out of this art, therefore, has a number of movements that are similar to the strikes and kicks of a martial art.

 

• The Carimbo and Lambada: The Carimbo is a folk dance, which displays an effective combination of Portuguese, African and other European influences, creating a complex art form that continues to characterise the Brazilian culture. It is known for its sensuality and sexual nature. As new musical instruments and trends began to infiltrate the Carimbo, the Lambada was born.

 

• The Lundu: Although this dance form was most popular during the 1600’s and 1700’s, it remains a common, well-loved art. It is accompanied by the guitar, piano and drums and often includes castanets.