The Portuguese term for a Rio samba school’s official Carnival theme song is samba-enredo.
A samba-enredo is composed for a school’s parade and expresses the year’s chosen theme, known as the enredo. The lyrics may celebrate a historical figure, cultural tradition, place, artistic subject, or social story. The song is performed repeatedly as the school moves along the parade avenue.
The samba-enredo is distinct from a general samba hit released outside Carnival. It must support the school’s visual and narrative presentation, helping participants and spectators follow the subject of the parade.
It is also different from marchinha, a lighter Carnival song style often associated with street festivities. Samba-enredo belongs specifically to the organized samba-school parade tradition and is one of the elements considered by Carnival judges.