Essay about The Tango

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The Tango

The emergence of the Tango plays a major part with the early beginning of today’s largest metropolis in Argentina, the capital city of Buenos Aires. The dance originated in the lower-class districts of Buenos Aires but rapidly became a part of the high and middle established classes as well. (Gonzalez: 2013)
At the beginning of the 19th century Buenos Aires was a small city with a varied society of Spanish and Native Americans. Spanish colonists brought in diverse African slaves, who brought with themselves their culture, music and dance to Argentina. In the second half of the 19th century, the Argentine government decided to diminish the black community and broaden instead the white populace. This decision caused enormous immigration from Spain, Italy, and other European countries. The initial demographics of Buenos Aires vanished and was replaced by the European immigrants during the end of the 19th century. This immense wage of immigration, especially at Buenos Aires port, caused a melting pot. As a result a new culture was created, the Porteños. Porteños were people who were looking mainly for work and lived by the docks or were centered on the port. One would think that although Argentina was rich in gold at that time, people of wealth would come to grasp the opportunity. Riches could have been made but no one capitalized on it. Quite on the contrary, the working class made its way to Argentina. They believed that work was plentiful and that new beginnings awaited them. (Castro, 1991)
Between the 1930s and 1950s the Tango was in its Golden Age as it gained maximum awareness and dominated the culture of Buenos Aires. The Tango became an expression of the Argentine culture. When the depression hit Argentina it affected Tango culture, changing the melody and lyrics of Tango songs which started to mirror more indigence and social divisions. Changes in political and economic circumstances at the time were also reflected in the Tango’s culture. Many people were poor and therefore orchestras became smaller. The tyranny of the political world influenced the lyrics to more political as well. In fact, the Tango was banned and people were forced back into in smaller underground venues. In the 1950s the Golden Age of the Tango ended and the dance almost completely disappeared. In 1955, Juan Domingo Peron became the first democratically elected president and supported the Tango. In the mid-1980s after the rehabilitation of democracy, the rebirth of the Tango emerged. Since then, the Tango has acquired recognition and popularity and nowadays it is danced in nearly all countries worldwide. Tango is still a main aspect of the culture in Buenos Aires and results in economic activity of about $135 million annually. There is also about triple the amount indirectly from merchants and companies producing and selling products which relates to the Tango. (Bergero: 2008)
The tango is a metaphor for Argentina culture. It characterized Argentina’s history and continues to influence the country. Argentina and the Tango are strongly connected to one another and symbolize the country’s struggle. The dance represents also the power struggle and the want to overcome an iniquitous political system. Closely related to a power hierarchy is the want for safety and balance which are elusive qualities in the Argentine culture. Nowadays the Tango stands for submission, the absolute respect for the gentle balance that keeps the nation in equilibrium. High uncertainty avoidance indicates the desire of stability in Argentina. An important balance of prudent risk is present in the country’s objectives today. Argentine people value safety and try to ensure stability even during rough circumstances. Argentines expect important topics and details to be presented transparently so that
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