The Samba de Roda is also distinguished by specific dance steps like the miudinho, the use of the viola machete - a small lute with plucked strings from Portugal, as well as scraped instruments, and responsorial songs.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

At first a major component of regional popular culture among Brazilians of African descent, the Samba de Roda was eventually taken by migrants to Rio de Janeiro, where it influenced the evolution of the urban samba that became a symbol of Brazilian national identity in the twentieth century.

UNESCO: Culture

In Copacabana Bip Bip attracts a festive gathering to its roda de samba sessions (informal samba played around a table).

BBC: Searching for the perfect samba beat