A History of Tango - All You Need To Know

So, you know tango and you are great at it. Performing the back breaking steps to and fro gracefully with the rhythms is a talent appreciated by all. This intense art of dancing, creates an awe, which can mesmerize the onlookers and inflame the performers. Let’s take a look at the cultural background of this triumph of art.

Origin

The dance is said to have originated from Spain but that is not the case. The rhythms have been inspired by ancient African communities and the music landed from Europe. The word Tango is said to be first used in Argentina back in the 1880s.

1920s was a revolutionary age for the musicians because it opened up the world of tango for them. Julio De Caro, violinist, formed an orchestra which created a new description in the world of music and entertainment.

Legends about Tango

·             It takes two to tango but this wasn’t always the case, as in the early 19^th century, performing solo was the only choice for women.

·             Considering Tango immoral, the upper class banished it from the courts. The dance was just for the lower and middle classes to be performed at the local clubs. It wasn’t until in the early 1900s that the Teatro Opera started to include tango as one of the ball room dances.

·             The legend has it that the residents of South American pampas were the ones to originate the dance. Walking with curved knees and firm hats, the gauchos entered the local clubs and danced to the rhythm. The girls danced with their heads high choosing the partners of their choice.

Variation in Styles

The styles in tango vary according to origin. Argentinian, French, Gaucho and European descendants of tango merge up together to form the modern Americanized version of the dance. Some of the styles of tango are:

Salon Style

This style includes both the partners in an upright body posture. The term is basically ‘’tango de salon’’ which means that it includes different local styles mixed together. This type of tango is perfect to be performed at ballrooms or milonga halls. The partners dance in a close embrace which is often conceived by the onlooker as a “walking hug’’.

Milonguro-Style

The term coined by Argentine word ‘milonguero’ is a term used specifically for a dancer that is graceful and skillful. The woman lifts her right hand past the shoulder of her partner as that way her left hand is placed far behind the partner’s neck.

Other styles of Tango include:

·         Tango Argentino

·         Tango camacupense (Angola)

·         Tango Canyengue

·         Show Tango (also known as fantasia)

·         Tango Oriental Uruguayan tango

·         Tango salon

·         Tango milonguero (Tango apilado)

·         Tango Nuevo (New Tango)

·         Ballroom tango

Salsa VS Tango

Many people mix salsa with tango. At certain clubs there is a salsa night and a tango night. The salsa night is filled with exotic dancers and Cuban rhythms. Tango nights are a mixture of intimacy, with both the partners swaying proficiently together. People who do salsa are often perceived as fun extroverted and coy while those who do tango are viewed as deep and intimate.

In order to dance perfectly for tango, a strong connection with the partner and music is maintained. If you are a dancing enthusiast, Tango is a good genre for you to take on.