samba-exaltação ('exaltation samba') emerged as a subset of samba music in the late 1930s - similarly to its contemporary cousin samba-canção, samba-exaltação is known for its orchestra backing and elaborate instrumentation, with the main difference being the subject matter of the lyrics.

samba-exaltação was born on a wave of national pride that swept brazil during the administration of getúlio vargas and his estado novo ('new state') program, and as such the songs are almost exclusively patriotic in nature.