A Brief History of the Black Roots of Argentine Tango

When Darnell posted this blog over 4 years ago, "Tango and Milonga: A Close Relationship", I barely understood that Tango had African roots.

When I was struggling with Milonga over 2 years ago, a kind lady suggested that I look up "Candombe" and "Cayengue". She also suggested the book, "Tango: The Art of Love" by Robbert Farris. I looked up the terms, and I purchased the book, which goes into lavish detail about the Black roots of Tango. There was something about the fact that Milonga was "African" that inspired me to keep at it. I mean, after all, if these other guys could do it, certainly I must be capable of doing it. At least, that was my motivation. And, it worked.

I saw the same lady at a milonga about a year ago. At that time, I was beginning to talk up our "Diversify Your Dance" workshops and our show, "The History of Black Dance in America". She suggested that I add a demonstration of Candombe and Cayengue. In my mind, I said, "Yeah, right."

The show came and went two weeks ago. By this time, I had been immersed in dance history for over a year. When I was asked to do a lecture on Tango for the !MpactPeople after-school program this weekend at the Clear Creek Camp, I realized that I wanted to not only talk about the history of Tango, but the history of it's Black roots.

This is my initial effort.

YouTube clips include Valeria Solomonoff and Omar Vega at Blue Moon Milonga, New York 2006 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpvVMvPVmN8 and Anna e Osvaldo - El Chamuyo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsvBwPcvruk

Narrated by Ron Parker.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• candombe
• canyengue
• argentine
• tango
• milonga
• black
• roots
• african
• ron
• parker
• Afro
• Argentines
• Negros
• en
• Argentina
• Black
• History
• in

[Eddysuconga]

Hi, Nice video , and lots of information... I only have two comments: It is "Canyengue" Not "Cayengue", and it is "Candombe" as you correctly mention first not "condombe" as you write later. Also as someone else mention, the main expression of "Candombe" takes place in Uruguay, not Argentina. However I think you gather a lot of great info, can you infrom me of where did you take the video of the two dancers dancing to the candombe rhythm (fast drums alone) do they have more videos? Thank you!

[SwingingInTheHood]

@Eddysuconga

Thank you for your comments. I actually rushed to put this together for a group of high school students and was unsure at the thime of how to pronounce Cayengue or Candombe. I figured I'd get a little slack being that I'm a gringo anyway. I hoped that I redeemed myself by studying and presenting my own Candombe/Milonga routine (see uploads on my channel)

YouTube clips include Valeria Solomonoff and Omar Vega at Blue Moon Milonga, New York 2006

[miamivice1170]

i am impressed with this, do you have any more videos

[SwingingInTheHood]

@miamivice1170

Have lots of videos on a variety of subjects. Mostly having to do with dances and their histories. I think that clicking on my profile will display them. Thanks for the compliment.

[DjMichaelNice]

This is valuable information, however the voice over should be done by a professional, or at least better rehearsed. The stutters and mispronunciation of some words is distracting from the documentary and questions it's credentials. Please don't take this post negative but constructive. Professional voice over gives an inflection to the information that makes it sound more credible.

[gitana50]

you forgot to mention Uruguay as a contributor to Tango.

[Prophecy2fulfill]

Interesting.