many samba enthusiasts would suggest that the ala das baianas may well be one of the most important sections of the samba school ensemble.

the term means the wing or section of the baianas representing women from bahia (bahían women) who were early practitioners of the dance.

this section of the schools performance is comprised of women dressed in colonial era hoop skirts. the ala das baianas first appeared in the 1930s.

typically baianas are older women, easily recognizable by the large round skirts and almost hypnotic and highly coordinated swirling movements.