SAMBA SCHOLL HISTORY

Samba Schools History
Carnival has been celebrated in Brazil and in Rio de Janeiro for centuries, but samba schools were only first inaugurated in Rio Carnival in the 1920s.

At the end of the 19th century, immigrants from Bahia state brought with them the tradition of playing candomble and dancing a bahian dance called the samba. In the slums of downtown Rio, a place referred to as 'Little Africa', they established a number of religious houses devoted to religious ceremonies where they played and danced the early forms of


However African religions were illegal in a dominantly Catholic Brazil. These roots of samba remained invisible to the white elite for a long time.

The samba schools' parading structure originates from groups parading during Carnival in the 19th century. Even at this juncture they already had included; the Vanguard Commission, a chosen theme, floats, and the flag bearing couple, all of which are essential parts of today's samba schools.

The first group to call itself a samba school was a group known as Deixa Falar, which came from the district of Estácio, on the hill above Praça Onze, considered the cradle of samba. They called themselves samba school because they met right next door to a local children's school.

Deixa Falar and Mangueira were both founded at the end of the 1920's, Deixa Falar first, in 1926, and Mangueira soon after, in 1928. Deixa Falar was disbanded and later refounded as Estácio de Sá. Mangueira is the oldest existing samba school, however it was not the first.
Deixa Falar paraded for the first time on Praça Onze in 1929. In 1930 there was already 5 schools parading including Mangueira and Vai Como Pode, later known as Portela. The parade of the samba schools had become a contest, which Deixa Falar won in 1930 and 1931. By 1932 there were 19 schools parading. In 1933 the parade started to be sponsored by the biggest Brazilian media group 'O Globo'. They established a list of 4 marking criteria for the judges.
Many of the Rio de Janeiro samba schools were originally part of a soccer club in the area where they were founded, such as Porto da Pedra.

In the last few years Rio Branco, the main financial street downtown, has become the principal place for the carnival bands and groups to parade in over carnival weekend. Although there are parades in almost all parts of the city at that time. The street becomes packed with groups of revelers from mid afternoon to the small hours of the following morning (starting from the Cinelândia end of the street). You can also find many street bands around Lapa, all through Carnival
The samba schools represent the community spirit of a neighborhood, which is usually a particular shanty-town (favela). They bring a sense of community and belonging. The schools have a huge impact on their neighborhoods. They are the best organized entities in the slums, with thousands of people joining rehearsals, samba nights and carnival preparations. They are often politically involved, too. They are absolutely essential parts of Rio's life and culture. Everyone from Rio truly supports the football teams and the samba schools.

Do not think of the samba schools as colleges where they teach you how to dance samba. They are not teaching institutions as their name suggests and do not offer samba classes. However you can attend any of their samba nights and learn how to dance just by watching others. The origin of the name samba school comes from the fact, as legend suggests, that the early sambistas used to rehearse in an empty lot near a teachers' college. "We also teach! Here the students learn to breathe and live samba!"

There are over 70 samba schools in Rio de Janeiro and they all parade during the 4 days of Carnival. They pick themes, write music and lyrics, make costumes and floats and practice all year to succeed in their parades. They are subject to a strict hierarchy and are organized into 6 competitive leagues. They are the Special Group, Group A, B, C, D and E. The first three groups parade in the Sambodromo. All other samba schools parade on the streets and are free to watch and join in.
The samba schools offer samba nights at their samba halls, they're open to anyone. Going to one is the best way to make contact with the real samba and learn it. The nights are totally informal and very well attended, a bit like a mega club with people of all ages, with lots of dancing and boozing.

Such a night is definitely an experience not to be missed and won't be forgotten. On these samba nights, the school's samba song of the year is repeated over and over again, to be learned in preparation for their Carnival parade.
The best Rio
Samba Schools
The 12 schools in
the Special Group

•Beija-Flor

•Grande Rio

•Imperatriz

•ImpÉrio Serrano

•Mangueira

•Mocidade

•Portela

•Porto da Pedra

•Salgueiro

•Unidos da Tijuca

•Vila Isabel

•Viradouro