Chula is a dance and music genre which originated in Portugal, dating at least from the eighteenth century.
[1] The traditional Portuguese Chula folkdance has a tempo and rhythm marked by a bass drum, a triangle and cymbals, and is native to the Upper Douro.
The Portuguese Chula was an important influence on the emergence of samba rhythms and Rio Grande do Sul Gaucho dance in Brazil.
Chula in Bahia, Brazil, Santo Amaro da Purificação and surrounding areas, is an expression of the African-Brazilian culture.
[2] The chula, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, takes the form of a challenge, in which only men are allowed to contest.