Dancing Samba in Sweden : A study on transnational cultural expression

Abstract: In Sweden, samba - the popular Brazilian dance (and music genre), that has been named the“national rhythm” - is very widely known and practiced. This case study envelops questions about national cultures, cultural embodiment in dance, as well as cross-border relations. It aims to observe in what distinct ways, regarding these multiple facets of the topic, Brazilian culture can be expressed through samba in a foreign country so culturally different and geographically distant from the country of origin. The study focuses on samba no pé, a samba style popularized and mostly danced in Rio de Janeiro. To reach the objective, the research data has been collected through semi-structured interviews from samba teachers and dancers in Sweden. In addition, an observation has been carried out by watching a samba class in person. The collected data showed that dancing samba gives way to different interconnected processes and elements through which the Brazilian culture is transported, translated, and experienced in Sweden. As people migrate around the world in transnational spaces, links are created between the migrants’ host countries and their homelands. These connections enable different cultures to be transported, get established in different places and spread in popularity. Corporeality is also key, as culture is embodied in the movements. Samba therefore permits an experience of Brazilian corporeality and plays a central role in the expression of Brazilianness in Sweden.