Salsa vs Samba
Salsa and Samba are two forms of dance that show some difference between them when it comes to their styles, manner of dancing, techniques involved, and the like. It is indeed true that Salsa is an admixture of the African and the European traditional dances. Samba is also a mixture of European and African cultural dances. Samba is very popular in Brazil. As a matter of fact, it is the National Dance of Brazil. You will see a large number of dancers dancing to Samba during the Brazilian Carnival. Salsa is also one of the most popular dance styles in the world. Salsa is particularly popular in US, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. You will see many dance contestants using Salsa steps in their dances.
What is Salsa?
It is interesting to note that Salsa originated from the Caribbean. This dance form cannot be practiced individually. Instead, it can be practiced in pairs or groups that contain a number of dancing pairs for that matter. Hence, Salsa dance looks gorgeous if there are a number of dancing couples available to dance. Moreover, Salsa form of dance is very particular about the music that should accompany the dance. In other words, it can be said that the Salsa form of dance is not liberal in the case of music played during its performance. In fact, it is very strict to determine the variety of music that should accompany the dance. Salsa is more organized and structured than samba, and this is possibly the reason behind its preference of a particular type of music during its performance.
What is Samba?
On the other hand, the Samba type of dance too is an admixture of the traditional dances of Africa and Europe. It is important to know that the Samba type of dance originated from Brazilian capital, Rio de Janeiro. People believe that it was the African slaves who were brought into Brazil that created this dance style. These slaves little by little started to mix their traditional dances with the dance styles that were very much popular in Brazil at the time. So as a result Samba dance style was born. It is believed that Samba comes from the Portuguese word ‘Sambar’ which means ‘to dance in rhythm.’
As a matter of fact, this dance can be practiced solo. So, as a result, Samba can be danced solo or by a group of solo dancers. Samba form of dance does not prescribe any rule when it comes to the music that should accompany the dance. In fact, it is very liberal in the case of music played during its performance. It is heartening to note that Samba dance is practiced by the dancers who steal the show during the carnival of Brazil.
What is the difference between Salsa and Samba?
• Salsa is a couple dance. That means you need to partners to dance Salsa. You can also choose to have a group of Salsa dancers which has multiple couples. Samba, on the other hand, is a solo dance. That means you can follow this dance as an individual without a partner. Sometimes, a group of Samba dancers dance together. This is one of the main differences between the Salsa and the Samba forms of dance.
• Samba form of dance does not prescribe any rule when it comes to the music that should accompany the dance. On the other hand, Salsa form of dance is very particular about the music that should accompany the dance.
• When you compare the two dances, you will see that Salsa is more organized and structured than Samba. That may be the reason why Salsa has a particular preference to the music to which it can dance.
• Salsa has a couple of basic steps that are traditional to the dance. However, Samba is often danced without preparing before.
• Samba is a very important part in the Brazilian Carnival while Salsa has gained popularity in US, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
Both of these dances are known as sensuous dances that attract the attention of the audience. As you can see, both dances are beautiful, and they carry their differences in the way each is danced.
Images Courtesy:
- David and Paulina – 2012 Puerto Rico World Salsa Open by David and Paulina . (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Samba Dancer by PlidaoUrbenia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
