Capoeira, a dance/martial art fusion form, originated from the north of Brazil. Capoeira is believed to have sprung from the movements of African slaves who wanted secretly to practice forms of self-defense. Capoeira started out as a martial art disguised as recreation, though many today enjoy it purely as a form of dance.
The samba is another African-influenced dance style, commonly performed at Carnavale. Carnavale, as celebrated in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia, is known for its parades featuring women in glittery, colorful costumes decorated with feathers and rhinestones. The samba is seen as a sensual dance, comprised of earthy hip movements accompanied by Afro-Brazilian beats.
Samba also has become an international style of ballroom dance, and is performed at ballroom dance competitions or performances. Capoeira has become popular in places, such as Japan and the United States. Brazilian native Jelon Vieira started DanceBrazil, a dance company whose choreography blends capoeira, samba and modern dance.