We’ve been providing samba drumming workshops and classes for over 25 years, and one of the most common questions we hear is: where does this amazing music come from?

So, we thought we’d give you a detailed blog post diving into the vibrant history of samba music! In our previous blog, we discussed the origins of African drumming in our African Drumming Facts blog. This time, we’ll be taking you to the rich, vibrant streets of Brazil.

What is Samba music, and where does it come from?

Samba is a genre of music originating from Brazil, with roots embedded in Afro-Brazilian traditions. It’s a broad term to describe the multitude of unique rhythms that originated in the communities of Bahai in the late 19th century, and Rio de Janeiro in the early 20th century.

Over time, samba music has acquired admiration all over the world due to its infectious, vibrant rhythms and the exciting street performances which accompany the beats.

This melding of upbeat music and community engagement has fostered an important cultural icon that is loved worldwide. Several unique instruments are incorporated into the wonderfully distinct samba sounds.

Traditionally, samba music features string instruments like the cavaquinho and different guitars, alongside percussion instruments such as the famous tamborim drums. Samba holds a special place as a symbol of Brazil and its iconic Carnival festivities. We aren’t exaggerating when we say samba is one of the most cherished cultural expressions of Brazil!

The Bahian Samba de Roda, acknowledged as a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity in 2005, serves as the cornerstone for the samba carioca, the vibrant music and dance style synonymous with Rio de Janeiro.

The Criminalisation of Samba Music

In its early years, Samba encountered harsh scrutiny from the Brazilian authorities. Originating in the Favelas, it emerged as a distinctly Afro-Brazilian musical genre, fostering deep bonds that brought people together.

This strengthening of community was seen as a threat by the Brazilian authorities, who even claimed it was linked to Afro-Brazilian cults. Consequently, many early composers of samba faced criminal persecution and instruments were destroyed.

With samba being made illegal, the genre had to endure underground. Thankfully, samba is now seen as a landmark of traditional music – a far cry from its defiant past of resisting the authorities, it is now embraced by the government.

Samba’s Roots in the Rio Carnival

The Rio Carnival in Brazil is deeply intertwined with Samba, and their origins tell a captivating story.

Picture this: during the Portuguese colonial era, European masquerade balls collided with vibrant African cultural traditions, including music and dance. Out of this melting pot emerged Samba, with its pulsating rhythms and lively beats, gradually becoming the soul of the carnival.

As time passed, Samba schools sprang up across Rio de Janeiro, each representing a unique community and bringing its own flavour to the carnival parade. Today, the Rio Carnival is a dazzling extravaganza where the beats of samba fill the streets. The schools perform passionately for the top spot. It’s a celebration like no other, uniting people from all walks of life in a whirlwind of culture, music, and sheer joy.

Quite rightly, the Rio Brazil Carnival is described as the biggest party on the planet! Take a look for yourself:

Samba Instruments

African Drumming Facts

Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or simply curious, African drumming is a captivating subject bathed in history and facts that will amaze you.

Africa is the birthplace of humanity, which also means it’s the likely origin of music. Even today, music is a deeply important aspect of African culture, and its influence is seen in music across the world.

You’ll be surprised by how many facts you may not have known before reading this article – and hopefully, by the end, we’ll have inspired you to give this fascinating activity a go yourself!

The most famous African drum is the Djembe

We’re almost certain you’ll have seen this fascinating drum before. Its characteristic goblet shape is defined by its hardwood shell and rawhide drumhead. This iconic African drum is played by hand and its sound versatility has even made it a tool for storytelling.

We’ve even published a page dedicated to the Djembe drum – so if you’re curious as to what it looks and sounds like, click here to view our page.

Drums in Africa are made from natural materials

Including various types of wood, clay and animal hides, each contributing to the various unique sounds.

African drumming has a rich history dating back thousands of years

With diverse rhythms and styles across the continent – from Djembe to the Dundun & Udu, African drumming has a rich and ancient history. These instruments have endured thousands of years of history and change, yet still stand as an important cultural influence across Africa.

African drumming continues to evolve

Blending traditional techniques with modern music styles, African drumming contributes to a dynamic and ever-changing musical landscape. The impact of African music can be felt globally, and its influence can be heard in a diverse range of musical genres.

From samba to salsa, hip-hop to reggae, some of the most popular music in the world has its roots in African sound.

Samba has roots in African music & drumming

While Samba is a uniquely Brazilian genre of music, it carries strong African musical and cultural elements. The heartbeat of samba lies in its rhythms and percussion instruments, many of which have African origins.

Enslaved Africans in Brazil brought with them a rich tradition of rhythmic drumming and percussion, which became integral to the development of Samba. Instruments like the tamborim, agogô, and cuíca have African roots and are still prominent in samba music today.

Over the centuries, these African elements fused with European influences and indigenous culture, giving rise to the vibrant and diverse genre of samba that we know today. While Samba is unmistakably Brazilian, it carries the rhythmic and cultural imprint of its African roots.

African drums are used to tell stories

African drums have a remarkable ability to tell stories through their rhythms and patterns.

For example, different drumming patterns and rhythms are used to represent specific words, phrases, or ideas. These rhythms are like a language, with each beat or combination of beats carrying meaning. Experienced drummers understand this rhythmic vocabulary and can use it to convey stories.

Many African communities have specific rhythms and drumming traditions associated with their cultural and historical narratives. These rhythms might recount the history of a tribe, celebrate important events, or pass down oral traditions and legends.

In essence, African drums are a powerful method of storytelling that transcends language barriers. Through their intricate rhythms, emotional hooks, and important cultural significance, they can convey rich narratives, histories, and experiences to those who listen and understand their language of the beats.

The word ‘Djembe’ means ‘gather in peace’

According to the Bambara people in Mali, the word Djembe stems from the saying ‘everyone gather together in peace’. When shortened, Djembe literally translates to ‘dje – gather’ and ‘bé – peace’.

African drums were used for long-distance communication

Everything has its roots in Africa.

The concept of long-distance communication, which today we take for granted with radio, speakers and mobile phones, was conceived in 18th Century Africa. The ‘Talking Drum’, native to West Africa, was used to disseminate messages including news and commands over a 4-5 mile radius between tribes and villages.

Some varieties of Talking Drums are particularly notable for being able to transmit messages for up to 20 miles. This led to a ‘beacon’ effect, where information was able to be relayed exceedingly quickly across a huge distance across dozens of villages.

African drums were originally created by blacksmiths

The famous Djembe drum likely originated from the Numu – a Mandinka caste of Blacksmiths dispersed across West Africa.

The Djembe drum originated over 750 years ago

The most famous African drum, the Djembe, originated in 12th Century West Africa.

Knowledge of the Djembe was limited prior to 1950

Until the mid 20th century following the decolonisation of West Africa, the Djembe was only known in its original location. This was due to the limited travel of native West Africans outside their own ethnic communities and groups.

The Djembe has a playing range of 65-1000hz

This impressive sound range lends itself to its reputation as a versatile and loud instrument.

African drumming is an amazing team building activity

In recent decades, organisations and businesses have recognised group drumming as a valuable activity for their teams.

This is because African drumming is known to reduce stress, strengthen relationships and improve communication which makes it an excellent ice-breaker for events and corporate conferences.

Unbeatable Energy has been providing group drumming workshops for schools and businesses for over 20 years, with clients such as Google, Facebook and John Lewis to name a few.

If you’re interested in group drumming workshops for your company or team, get in touch today and we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements.

The Benefits of Drumming

Drumming isn’t just a creative outlet; it’s a journey towards personal growth and well-being. We’ve been providing African & Samba drumming workshops across the UK for over 25 years, and we’ve helped thousands of people experience the amazing benefits drumming brings.

In this article, we’re going to dig deep into all the exciting ways drumming can boost your physical health, mental well-being, and emotional balance. Let’s discover the power of the beat!

What is a Djembe drum?

The djembe is one of the most well-known drums from Africa. You will hear its captivating rhythm throughout the continent.

Originally hailing from West Africa, this drum holds deep roots within the Manding tribes of Mali, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. These tribes share an intricate cultural and historical bond, intertwined through their language, music, and annual cultural events.

Centuries ago, the ancestors of these tribes were citizens of the great Mali empire, whose heyday was in the 14th Century during the rule of Mana Musa.

What does a Djembe drum look like?

The djembe drum has unique and distinctive appearance. It features an hourglass body carved out of a single piece of hardwood, such as lenke, djalla, or dougouba.

The drum’s body is hollowed out and covered with a drumhead made of goat or cow skin, which is secured to the body with a system of ropes or cords.

The drumhead is traditionally tightened using a process known as “wedging,” where ropes are threaded through holes around the drum’s body and pulled tightly to achieve the desired tension. This allows for a wide range of tones and sounds to be produced when the drum is played. In addition, the djembe drum often features skillfully crafted carvings and decorations on its body, serving as a testament to the artistry and cultural significance of the communities that create and cherish this instrument.

These intricate designs can hold symbolic meaning, representing cultural motifs, ancestral spirits, or other elements that hold great importance within the community’s identity. The adornments add a touch of beauty and cultural depth to the djembe drum, making it not only a musical instrument but also a visual expression of tradition and heritage.

African Drumming Workshops

Experience the vitality and creative freedom of playing African drums with Unbeatable Energy’s nationwide drumming classes. African drumming workshops are an amazing way to energise, unwind and strengthen your relationships. We offer drumming workshops for corporate icebreaker events, school events, higher education and host regular evening classes in Sheffield.

What does the Djembe sound like?

The sounds produced from the versatile Djembe drum are incredibly diverse; from dry, high-pitched tones to deep, booming bass. The bass tones resonate with a rich and full-bodied presence, providing a solid foundation for the rhythm, whereas the open tones are bright and clear, cutting through the air with their distinct and melodic character.

Each slap delivers a sharp and percussive sound, adding a lively and rhythmic texture to the music. Whether played softly or with vigour, the djembe drum’s sound carries an unmistakable presence that can uplift spirits, create a sense of unity, and transport listeners to the heart of African musical traditions.

What do the Dundun drums sound like?

The dundun drums possess a distinct and powerful sound that adds depth and rhythmic complexity to West African music. When played, the dununba, sangba, and kenkeni produce a layered ensemble of catchy tones. You will rarely see a professional Djembe group in West Africa without the Dundun drums.

These drums possess remarkable strength and drive, producing an irresistibly energetic and infectious, funky sound which makes it virtually impossible not to move when their beat dances through the air!

What are the Dundun drums?

The dunduns (or dunun) are a family of cylindrical African drums. They are traditionally played along the djembe and provide a deep bass to accompany the rhythms.

Contrary to the expectation of maintaining a steady and uniform beat, the dundun drums, in fact, generate intricately syncopated patterns that add remarkable depth and complexity to the music. There are three distinct types of dundun drums.

The largest one is known as the Dundunba, which produces deep and resonant tones. The middle-sized drum is called the Sangba, providing a balanced sound.

Lastly, the smallest drum is referred to as the Kenkeni, offering higher-pitched notes. Contrary to the djembe which is played with one’s hands, these drums are played with a thick stick.

Traditionally, they would be played sideways with one hand playing the head with a stick, while the other hand plays a bell attached to the top of the drum’s shell. You can even have multiple musicians playing various complimentary rhythms on each of the three dunduns.

In some cases, one musician might strap all three drums together and play them combined!Centuries ago, the ancestors of these tribes were citizens of the great Mali empire, whose heyday was in the 14th Century during the rule of Mana Musa.

What do the Dundun drums look like?

Similar to the djembe, dunduns are crafted from a single piece of hollowed wood, shaped into a barrel form. These drums have two sides, but only one side is played at a time using a stick or mallet. In Guinea, dunduns typically feature sturdy and thick cow skin as the drumhead, while in countries like Mali, lighter goat skin is commonly used.

African Drumming Workshops

Experience the vitality and creative freedom of playing African drums with Unbeatable Energy’s nationwide drumming classes. African drumming workshops are an amazing way to energise, unwind and strengthen your relationships. We offer drumming workshops for corporate icebreaker events, school events, higher education and host regular evening classes in Sheffield.

What is a repinique?

A repinique (otherwise known as ‘repique’) is a metal-shelled Brazilian drum known for its loud pitch. You’ll often spot this boisterous instrument front and centre of a bateria (samba band) as it leads the sound of samba through the energetic Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo Carnivals.

‘Repinique’ comes form the Portuguese word meaning ‘to call’ and it is traditionally used by the head of the samba band. If you’re lucky enough, you might even be treated to an improvised solo!

What does a repinique drum look like?

Usually tall and relatively thin, the repinique drum is carried using a shoulder strap and ranges from around 8 to 12 inches in diameter. It can be played with one stick and a bare hand (often seen in Rio-style samba), or with two wooden sticks for producing rapid, energetic rhythms.

Samba drumming workshops

Learning how to play the repinique can be a rewarding and enriching experience. At Unbeatable Energy, we’ve shared our love for samba with communities, schools and businesses from across the UK for almost two decades! Get in touch today by clicking the button below to learn more about our nationwide samba drumming classes.

What does the repinique drum sound like?

The repinique is a loud, high pitched drum without any snares. This produces a bright, clear sound that rises above the rest of the Bateria. Check out our video below of Steve Rivers leading an energised group of students at a school workshop!

What is a surdo drum?

The surdo is a large cylindrical bass drum used in Brazilian music, mostly in samba and other Afro-Brazilian rhythms such as Samba-reggae/Axé. It is worn around the waist or strung from the shoulders as surdo bands march through the streets during festivals and carnivals.

What does a surdo drum look like?

The cylindrical surdo drum varies in diameter from 40cm to 73cm. In Rio de Janeiro, the capital of Brazil, they are typically 60cm deep, however, in other parts of Brazil they can be as shallow as 50cm.

Generally, the outside of the surdo is made from wood, fibreglass or aluminium whereas the head is made from a thick and durable material such as goatskin or plastic.

Samba drumming workshops

Grooving with a samba group can be a fun and enriching experience, even if you’ve never picked a drum in your life. At Unbeatable Energy, we’ve shared our love for samba with communities, schools and businesses from across the UK for almost two decades! Get in touch today by clicking the button below to learn more about our nationwide samba drumming classes.

What does the surdo drum sound like?

The sound of the surdo is characterized by a deep and powerful low-frequency tone, which provides the rhythmic foundation for samba. The drummer can play a variety of patterns and rhythms on the surdo, using different techniques with the mallet or beater to produce a range of energising sounds, from short and staccato to long and sustained.

It is really satisfying to play. Each vibrational beat resonates through your body. Check out our video below of Steve Rivers leading an energised group of students at a school workshop!