Samba

Boom-ch-ch. boom-ch-ch. Can you hear my happy beat. It is a sound that makes your toes want to wiggle. It makes your shoulders want to shimmy and shake. When you hear me, you see bright, sparkly colors spinning around like a rainbow in the sky. Happy voices sing along with me, and everyone smiles. I feel like a big, sunny party for your ears and your feet. I am a sound full of fun and excitement.

Hello. My name is Samba. I am a happy dance and a joyful song. I was born in a warm, sunny country called Brazil. It was a very long time ago, in the late 19th century. My story began when people from Africa brought their amazing drum beats and beautiful songs with them to Brazil. I grew from those wonderful sounds and happy feelings. Then, something special happened. In the year 1917, my very first song was shared for everyone to hear. It was like a big birthday for me. Now, everyone could sing my songs and dance to my beat.

I love to be the star of a huge party called Carnival. At Carnival, people wear amazing costumes with soft feathers and shiny glitter. They dance together in big parades in the streets. It is so much fun. But I did not just stay in Brazil. I traveled all over the big, big world to share my joy with everyone. Whenever you hear a beat that makes you want to move your feet and smile a big smile, that is a little bit of my spirit. I am inviting you to dance and be happy, too.