Zamba (artform)

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Zamba is a style of Argentine music and an associated dance.

Zamba is very different from its homophone, the samba - musically, rhythmically, temperamentally. It is European compared to the Samba, in the steps of the dance and in its costume. It has six beats to the bar and is a majestic dance, performed by couples who circle each other waving white handkerchiefs very elegantly.

Zambas are composed about every subject, ranging from those whose lyrics celebrate people or events from Argentine history, to those which describe the beauty of a region, or of its women; there are zambas of political protest and even one called "Aerolineas Argentinas". The bombo legüero drum is prominent in the playing of the zamba.

Zamba is also the name of a song by Bryan Ferry from his 1987 album Bête Noire.