The term 'Bossa Nova Cousins' refers to two musical styles that are closely related: Sambas and Bossa Nova. Sambas is a Brazilian dance and musical genre that originated in the late 19th century in Rio de Janeiro. It is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and its use of percussion instruments such as the pandeiro, tamborim, and agogô. Bossa Nova is a style of Brazilian music that emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It is a fusion of samba and jazz, and is characterized by its laid-back rhythms and harmonic structure. Both Sambas and Bossa Nova are popular in Brazil and around the world.