can samba be christian?

It was the slave trade which has mostly shaped the creation of Samba music in Brazil. About 350 years ago Black Africans began to be transported into Europe and the Americas. With them came their rich heritage of music, dance, and rhythm.

When combined with the Portuguese influence of Brazil, Samba became a unique musical form. Historically, Samba music has not been widely accepted by those of means in Brazil — it is mostly associated with the poor. However, this is no small part of Brazil’s population, since one-third are below the poverty line.

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Samba music has also been rejected by the church since Samba has been associated with lewd practices. Therefore, as a musical form it has not been considered “fit” for Christian expression. However, for many in Brazil, it represents a musical sound that runs deep within their soul. Recent developments have caused the church to ask the question whether or not Samba music can be an effective music of Christian expression. A number of young, Christian Samba groups have surfaced in recent years. One such group, Partido Divino, is found in Recife, a northern coastal city which is inhabited by many dark skinned Brazilians.

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Having grown up with Samba music, this group began to create Samba songs with Christian lyrics for the purpose of being used on the street to gain the attention of many who would be attracted to the musical sound. The band found it to be a very effective means of sharing their Christian faith.

Samba is also becoming a popular form of Christian worship among churches springing up in the midst of the favelas, or the slums of Brazil.

It was a pleasure to record these four young men. We converted a room in a near-by health club into a make-shift studio to capture 12 of their recently composed songs.