Tango is a dance that people do with a partner and is performed socially. It began in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata, the natural boundary between Argentina and Uruguay. The tango developed in the poor port areas of these countries by blending Argentine Milonga, Spanish-Cuban Habanera, and Uruguayan Candombe traditions. It was often danced in brothels and bars in port cities, where business owners hired musicians to entertain customers. Over time, the tango spread to other parts of the world. Today, many different versions of this dance are practiced globally.

On August 31, 2009, UNESCO approved a proposal from Argentina and Uruguay to add tango to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Etymology

There are many ideas about where the word "tango" came from, but none have been proven. One idea is that it came from an African culture, especially the Yoruba word shangó, which means the god of thunder in Yoruba religion. This theory suggests that the word changed as it spread from Nigeria to South America through the slave trade. Another theory says "tango" comes from the Spanish word tambor, meaning "drum." People in Buenos Aires may have mispronounced it as tambo, leading to the word "tango." A third theory links it to the Portuguese word tanger, meaning "to play a musical instrument," or tangomão, which combines "to touch" and "hand" to mean "to play with hands."

Some authors believe "tango" comes from the Kongo word ntangu, meaning "sun," "hour," or "space-time." The origin of the word "tango" is still debated. A key study by José Gobello in 1976 highlights the disagreement over its roots. The debate focuses on the roles of indigenous, Latin American, African, and European cultures in creating the word.

Héctor Benedetti, in his 2001 essay, reviewed many theories about "tango." One early theory from 1914 said it came from the Latin word tangere, but this idea was later removed. In 1957, historian Ricardo Rodríguez Molas studied languages of enslaved people in Argentina and found the word "tango" used to describe places where enslaved people gathered to dance. He argued the word had African origins.

Rodríguez Molas cited a 1789 report by Manuel Warnes, a Buenos Aires official, which used "tango" to describe slave dances. In Montevideo, the word was also used similarly. Uruguayan musicologist Lauro Ayestarán wrote about a 1807 ruling by the Cabildo of Montevideo, which used "tango" to refer to places where enslaved people danced.

Oscar Escalada, a researcher from the University of La Plata, suggests "tango" may come from the Quechua word tanpu, which Spanish colonizers changed to tambo. This word was later used as a synonym for "tango."

Another theory says "tango" existed in Andalusia, Spain, by the mid-1800s, describing a musical style called tango flamenco or tango andaluz. This style originated in Cuba around 1823 and has Afro-Cuban and African influences. Both habanera and flamenco tango influenced the later development of tango as a musical genre.

Finally, some scholars propose a "double-entry" theory. They suggest "tango" was used in the Río de la Plata region during the 18th and 19th centuries to describe places where Black people danced. Later, in the late 1800s, the word returned to the region from Cuba and Andalusia, now referring to the dance and music style.

History

Tango is a dance that has roots in African and European cultures. Dances from Candombe ceremonies, which were performed by enslaved Africans, helped shape modern tango. The dance began in working-class areas of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Tango music came from the blending of European musical styles. The words "tango" and "tambo" in the River Plate region were used to describe musical gatherings of enslaved people. Colonial authorities tried to ban these gatherings as early as 1789.

At first, tango was one of many dances, but it became popular across society. Theaters and street barrel organs helped spread it from suburbs to working-class neighborhoods filled with European immigrants.

When tango spread internationally around 1900, many people thought it was too sexual for public display. This caused culture shock. The mix of African, Native American, and European influences in tango was new and unusual to much of the Western world.

Many neighborhoods in Buenos Aires have unique tango histories, such as La Boca, San Telmo, and Boedo. At Boedo Avenue, musicians like Cátulo Castillo and Homero Manzi met at the Japanese Cafe with the Boedo Group.

In the early 1900s, dancers and orchestras from Buenos Aires traveled to Europe. A tango craze began in Paris, followed by London, Berlin, and other cities. Tango historian Nardo Zalko, who lived in Paris, studied the connection between Paris and Buenos Aires in his work, Paris – Buenos Aires, Un Siècle de Tango ("A Century of Tango"). By the end of 1913, tango had reached New York City and Finland. In the U.S., the word "tango" was sometimes used for dances with a 4/4 rhythm, like the one-step. This term was popular but did not always mean tango steps were used. Tango music was often played at a fast tempo. Some teachers called this style "North American tango," while the traditional style was called "Argentine tango." Tango was controversial because of its sexual overtones, and by 1913, dance teachers who introduced it to Paris were banned. By 1914, more authentic tango styles and variations, like Albert Newman's "Minuet" tango, developed.

In Argentina, the Great Depression of 1929 and political changes after 1930 temporarily reduced tango's popularity. Its popularity returned in the 1930s, especially under the first Perón government, which greatly influenced Argentinian culture. Mariano Mores helped revive tango in the 1950s. His piece Taquito Militar premiered in 1952 during a speech by President Juan D. Perón, sparking debates about "cultured" versus "popular" music.

Tango declined again in the late 1950s due to economic hardship and military restrictions on public gatherings. At the time, male-only tango practice was considered a public gathering, which indirectly helped rock and roll gain popularity. In the late 1980s, tango experienced a revival in Argentina, partly because of Osvaldo Peredo's efforts.

In 2009, UNESCO added tango to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Styles

Tango is a dance with many different styles that developed in various places in Argentina and other parts of the world. These styles formed because of different cultural influences, such as the size of the dance space and the types of clothing people wore. Most tango styles are danced in either open embrace, where the leader and follower stand apart from each other, or close embrace, where they stand close together—either chest to chest (Argentine tango) or near the upper thigh and hip area (American and International tango).

Some styles of tango include:
• Tango argentino
• Tango canyengue
• Tango fantasia
• Tango liso
• Tango oriental
• Tango orillero
• Tango salon
• Tango camacupense (Angola)
• Tango milonguero (tango apilado) (see also "Milonguero")
• Tango nuevo (new tango)
• Tango vals (tango waltz)
• Milonga
• Ballroom tango
• Finnish tango
• Uruguayan tango
• Maxixe (Brazilian tango)

These styles are danced to different types of music, including:
• Tango
• Electronic tango-inspired music (Tango electronico)
• "Alternative tango," which includes music that is not traditional tango but is used for tango-inspired dancing

The milonguero style is danced in close embrace with small steps and rhythmic footwork. It developed from the petitero or caquero style of crowded dance clubs in the 1950s.

In contrast, tango that began in suburban neighborhoods (such as Villa Urquiza, Devoto, and Avellaneda) uses long, elegant steps and complex movements. In this style, the embrace may briefly open to allow for intricate footwork. These complex movements became the basis for theatrical performances, where dancers often use open embraces and add gymnastic lifts, kicks, and drops for stage shows.

A newer style called tango nuevo, or "new tango," became popular in recent years. It is danced with an open, flexible embrace, allowing for a wide range of complex movements. This style is often linked to music that mixes traditional tango with jazz and techno sounds.

Tango canyengue is a rhythmic style that began in the early 1900s and is still popular today. It is one of the original roots of tango and includes all the basic elements of traditional tango from the River Plate region (Uruguay and Argentina). In this style, dancers move together in a closed embrace, with relaxed and slightly bent legs. It uses body movement for leading, firm contact with the floor, and a mix of beats on and off the music. Its main features are musicality and playful energy, with a rhythm described as "sharp, exciting, and provocative."

The complex movements of this style became the basis for theatrical performances, where dancers often use open embraces and add gymnastic lifts, kicks, and drops for stage shows.

A newer style called tango nuevo, or "new tango," became popular after 1980. Ástor Piazzolla, a famous composer and bandoneón player, helped change traditional tango music. This style uses an open, flexible embrace, allowing for many complex movements. It is often danced to music that mixes traditional tango with jazz, techno, and electronic sounds.

Tango nuevo is influenced by combining tango music with electronic styles (electrotango). It can be adapted to traditional tango or even non-tango songs. Gotan Project released its first tango fusion album in 2000, followed by La Revancha del Tango in 2001. Bajofondo Tango Club, a group from Argentina and Uruguay, released its first album in 2002. Tanghetto’s album Emigrante (electrotango) came out in 2003 and was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2004. These and other electronic tango songs help attract younger dancers and bring new life to the dance.

In the late 1990s, a new movement of tango songs began in Buenos Aires. It was influenced by old orchestra styles rather than Piazzolla’s experiments with electronic music. The new songs use modern lyrics and language, inspired by many contemporary styles.

In the 2000s, this movement grew with groups like Orquesta Típica Fernandez Fierro, led by Julián Peralta, who later started Astillero and Orquesta Típica Julián Peralta. Other bands, such as Orquesta Rascacielos, Altertango, Ciudad Baigón, and artists like Alfredo "Tape" Rubín, Victoria di Raimondo, Juan Serén, Natalí de Vicenzo, and Pacha González, also joined the movement.

Ballroom tango, divided into "International" and "American" styles, developed when tango spread to Europe and North America. The dance was simplified and adapted for ballroom competitions. English tango was first written down in 1922, with rules for dancing to modern music at a specific speed.

Over time, English tango became a competitive dance, while American tango remained a social dance focused on leading and following. This led to differences in technique and style, though some competitions and shared techniques exist in both styles.

Ballroom tango uses different music and movements compared to tango from the River Plate region (Uruguay and Argentina). It includes sharp, staccato movements and head snaps, which are not used in Argentine or Uruguayan tango. Head snaps were introduced in 1934, inspired by movements in the legs and feet of River Plate tango and the theatrical movements of the pasodoble. This style became popular in Germany and later in England, though judges in competitions did not favor it.

Brazilian tango developed alongside Rioplatense tango and was influenced by styles like Candomblé, lundu, Cuban habanera, Andalusian tango, and European polka and mazurka. It evolved into maxixe (a style called Brazilian tango) and choro, with performers like Ernesto Nazareth and Chiquinha Gonzaga. Nazareth played

Comparison of techniques

Argentine and Uruguayan tango use different movement techniques compared to ballroom tango. In Argentine and Uruguayan tango, the center of the body moves first, and the feet follow to support it. In ballroom tango, the lower body (hips, knees, ankles) moves first, causing the body to glide across the floor. The feet then move quickly to match the body’s motion, creating sudden, sharp movements that match the short, choppy rhythm of the music.

Tango steps are usually smooth and gliding, but they can change in timing, speed, and style. Since each step is led and followed individually, dancers can adjust the dance moment by moment to match the music’s rhythm and their emotions.

The embrace, called an abrazo, is flexible and changes based on the dance steps. It can be close, open in a "V" shape, or even wide. Flexibility is important in all movement. In American Ballroom tango, the embrace is also flexible, but experienced dancers often use a closed position with arms held higher and constant body contact. However, with beginners, a more open position is preferred to avoid discomfort. Open positions in American tango may include moves like breaks, pivots, and turns that are not common in Argentine or International tango.

A closed position exists in all tango styles but varies. In River Plate tango (from Argentina and Uruguay), the closed embrace involves full upper body contact but not the legs. In American Ballroom tango, the closed position includes close contact near the pelvis or upper thighs but not the upper body. Dancers are taught to move their hips forward and slightly turn their upper body when performing a "corte."

In River Plate tango, dancers may step with the ball or toe of the foot first, or place the entire foot on the floor like a cat. In International tango, steps begin with the heel, then the whole foot.

Ballroom tango steps stay close to the floor, while River Plate tango includes moves like the boleo (letting the leg swing upward due to momentum) and the gancho (hooking the leg around the partner’s leg or body). These moves lift the feet off the ground. Argentine and Uruguayan tango also includes steps not found in ballroom tango, such as the parada (leader placing a foot against the follower’s foot), the arrastre (leader appearing to be dragged by the follower’s foot), and the sacada (leader moving into the follower’s space to shift their leg).

Famous tango singers

• Carlos Acuña (1915–1999) was known for his deep, high, and expressive voice. His travels abroad helped him become successful in Uruguay, Mexico, Italy, and Spain, where he became a close friend of the exiled Juan Perón.
• Néstor Fabián
• Carlos Gardel
• Roberto Goyeneche
• Julio Sosa (1926–1964) from Uruguay was one of the most important tango singers during difficult times for tango in the 1950s and early 1960s. His love for poetry led to the publication of his only book; his love for fast cars contributed to his early death.
• Olavi Virta
• Reijo Taipale
• Eino Grön
• Tita Merello
• Edmundo Rivero
• Pyotr Leschenko

Tango influence

The music and dance of tango are used in activities such as gymnastics, figure skating, and synchronized swimming because of its emotional expression and its connection to romantic themes.

For the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, Adidas created a ball named Tango, probably as a tribute to the host country. This same design was later used for the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where it was called Tango Málaga. It also appeared in the 1984 and 1988 UEFA European Football Championships held in France and West Germany.

In society

Tango can be found in many parts of society, including regular milongas and special events. A well-known event is the Tango Buenos Aires Festival y Mundial in Buenos Aires, which is also called the World Tango Dance Tournament. In different regions, there are many festivals both within and outside of Argentina. One example of a local event outside Argentina is Buenos Aires in the Southern Highlands of Australia.

Gender and tango

Gender roles are important in how tango is danced because the dance usually requires a leader. However, in recent years, this has changed as more women prefer not to rely on men to lead. In the early 1900s, there were more male dancers than female dancers, so tango was sometimes danced between two men. This allowed men to learn both the leading and following roles and to share leadership in the dance. Over time, this changed how tango was performed, making it possible for both men and women or same-sex pairs to lead equally.

A Queer Tango movement began after the first Queer Tango Festival in Hamburg in 2001. This movement aims to challenge the traditional idea that tango must always be led by a man and followed by a woman.

In film

Argentine tango is the main subject in these films:
• ¡Tango! (1933)
• Adiós Buenos Aires (1938)
• Tangos, the Exile of Gardel (1985), featuring Philippe Léotard, directed by Fernando Solanas
• Tango Bar (1988), featuring Raúl Juliá
• The Tango Lesson (1997), featuring Sally Potter and Pablo Verón, directed by Sally Potter
• Tango (1998), featuring Cecilia Narova and Mía Maestro, directed by Carlos Saura
• Assassination Tango (2002), featuring Robert Duvall, Rubén Blades, and Kathy Baker, directed by Robert Duvall
• Orquesta Típica (2005), a documentary about the typical orchestra Fernandez Fierro, directed by Nicolas Entel
• 12 Tangos – Adios Buenos Aires (2005), directed by Arne Birkenstock
• Tango libre (2012), directed by Frédéric Fonteyne
• Vaje v objemu / Practice in embrace (2012), directed by Metod Pevec

Some films include tango in certain scenes:
• The Threepenny Opera (Die 3-Groschen-Oper) (1931), directed by G. W. Pabst, includes a song called Tango Ballade.
• The Plow That Broke the Plains (1936), directed by Pare Lorentz.
• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921), featuring Rudolph Valentino and Alice Terry, directed by Rex Ingram.
• L'amore in città (1953), segment "Paradise for three hours" (Paradiso per tre ore), directed by Dino Risi, featuring nonprofessional actors, with a long scene in a ballroom where a passionate tango by Mario Nascimbene is played.
• Il Conformista (1970), featuring Jean-Louis Trintignant and Dominique Sanda, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
• Last Tango in Paris (1972), featuring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider, directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
• The World's Greatest Lover (1977), featuring Gene Wilder (who also directed), Carol Kane, and Dom DeLuise.
• Valentino (1977 film), featuring Rudolf Nureyev in a fictional scene where he dances tango with Vaslav Nijinsky (played by Anthony Dowell).
• Death on the Nile (1978), featuring Peter Ustinov and Olivia Hussey dancing tango with David Niven as the partner to Angela Lansbury’s version of the dance.
• Tango (1981), a short animation film by Zbigniew Rybczynski. It won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 1982.
• Never Say Never Again (1983), featuring Sean Connery and Kim Basinger, directed by Irvin Kershner.
• Naked Tango (1990), featuring Vincent D'Onofrio and Mathilda May, directed by Leonard Schrader.
• Scent of a Woman (1992), featuring Al Pacino as a blind Colonel who dances Argentine tango.
• Strictly Ballroom (1992), directed by Baz Luhrmann.
• Addams Family Values (1993), featuring Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston dancing a tango so passionately that it burns the floor and pops champagne bottles.
• Schindler's List (1993), featuring Liam Neeson.
• True Lies (1994), featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Tia Carrere, directed by James Cameron.
• Evita (1996), featuring Madonna and Antonio Banderas dancing a ballroom tango.
• Happy Together (1997), directed by Wong Kar-wai.
• Moulin Rouge! (2001), featuring Ewan McGregor and "El Tango de Roxanne."
• Waking Life (2001), directed by Richard Linklater.
• Le Tango Des Rashevski (2002).
• Chicago (2002), featuring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere, directed by Rob Marshall, which includes a song titled "Cell Block Tango" with a dance.
• Frida (2002), featuring Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd dancing a tango to a song performed by Lila Downs.
• Tango un giro extraño (2004), featuring Dolores Solá, La chicana, Silvio Grand, Marinero Montes, directed by Mercedes Garcia Guevara.
• Shall We Dance (2004), featuring Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, and Susan Sarandon, directed by Peter Chelsom.
• Madonna used choreography inspired by Argentine tango in the "Die Another Day" section of her 2004 Re-Invention Tour. Segments of the 2005 documentary I'm Going To Tell You A Secret show this choreography.
• Rent (2005), featuring Anthony Rapp and Tracie Thoms performing a ballroom tango in the song "Tango:Maureen" to describe their emotional relationship.
• Mad Hot Ballroom (2005), a documentary directed by Marilyn Agrelo.
• Love and Other Disasters (2006), featuring Jacks (Brittany Murphy) and Paolo (Santiago Cabrera) performing a tango together.
• Take the Lead (2006), featuring Antonio Banderas, directed by Liz Friedlander.
• Tanghi Argentini, an Oscar-nominated short film by Guy Thys, featuring Dirk Van Dijck and Koen van Impe.
• Another Cinderella Story (2008), featuring Selena Gomez and Drew Seeley, with a tango performed during the Black and White