Samba is one of Brazil's most popular music and dance styles. In many ways, it is a symbol of the country itself In the words of one of modern samba's main artists, Seu Jorge, Samba is our truth, our peculiarity and our flag." When people today hear the word samba, they often think of the festival of Carnaval and the city of Rio de Janeiro. But there are many different types of samba, and these styles differ throughout Brazil.