Brazil How to dance Samba Symbol of Brazil and the Rio Carnival, Samba is the festive dance of exuberance. December the 2nd is the national day of Samba. Two count dance (music 2/4 or 2/2 and sometimes 4/4), Samba is practiced alone or with a partner (Samba de gafieira). The basic step is the same for girls and boys. Some are collective dances of an utilitary practice, like Samba de coco : everybody hits with feet on the beat to build mud houses (wikipedia).