Origin of Tango Dance

The origin of Tango dance like the other Latin dances is very hazy. Suffice to say that this dance also had contributions from various other dance styles and became popular in early 1920s perhaps. Originating from Argentina the locals consisting of a lot of immigrant Africans and Europeans contributed their mite in evolving this dance further to suit their taste and the varied culture.

Facts about origin of Tango Dance:

Buenos Aires was made the capital of Argentina and in cities like Montevideo and Buenos Aires, there was a little more freedom enjoyed by the black slaves. Dancing and singing was their major pass time and also an outward expression of their emotions such as frustration, anger or love and happiness. The Tango dance parties was called Milonga and had its evolution from culture of Africa. Dancing terms such as Canyengue and Candombe was also used while referring to Tango dance. In African culture this dance had a spiritual connotation and was performed during rituals. But in Argentina the the dance took on political and social connotation too.

Subsequently the origin of Tango dance as we know it today underwent further change with the influx of Spanish Gaucho migrants who came to Argentina. They also used this dance form to express their feelings of resentment and desperation. With contributions from the Spanish culture the Tango took on a different hue. However it still remained an ancient and crude form of dancing. Later on migrants from South America and Europe came along to settle down in Argentina and they brought with them a touch of class and style which was lent to the crude Tango dance to turn it into a more stylish and refined form of dancing.

With this refinement and acceptance of the origin of Tango dance by higher society people the Tango became popular and started spreading its wings. Soon there were musical shows with Tango dance, theater performance, tango dance in competitions, tango music included in orchestra and in almost all festivities. It was this popularity which was appreciated by Americans and the dance moved to the US and became a fascination for the Americans. The dance was performed by the poor and rich and at all times of happiness and times of war. Such was the fame that it had received that when it went a full round and returned to Argentina it was considered a very refined art form.

Though like many art forms Tango dance too went through a trough in the seventies it came back to its popularity with a bounce because of support from influential foreign people and famous artists. After that there was no stopping the Tango dance and now it is popular throughout the world. Thus the origin of Tango dance though hazy was so strong that the dance survived a lot of battering to come out with winning colors.