from its origins in rio de janeiro to the current popularity, the complex and ever-changing samba remains a tangible example of brazil's amazingly varied cultural landscape.

national samba day is commemorated every year on the 2nd of december, with a variety of events and celebrations for the occasion.

considered the godmother of samba, a landmark character of samba in rio de janeiro is hilária batista de almeida, commonly known as tia ciata - bahian of origin, she lived rua visconde de itaúna, 117, near praça onze, that at that time was known as 'little africa', home to the many anonymous musicians and composers that fathered samba.