Tango Mulatto: The Untold Afro-Argentine History of Tango, 1800s-1900s

During the time of nation-building Argentina constructed a Europeanized identity that rejected nonwhite and particularly African cultures. Tango is likely a synthesis of candombe, a dance developed from the African nations in the River Plate region and from milonga which stemmed from the payada traditions of the gauchos. However, because of the insistence on erasing African elements in Argentine culture, the Afro-Argentine contribution to tango is often denied or unnoticed. To research this topic, I analyzed secondary sources such as texts from political leaders, scholars, and writers, as well as consulted primary resources including Afro-Argentine newspapers from the late 1800’s. I found convincing evidence to suggest the rhythm and certain chorographical elements of tango were borrowed from candombe. The recognition of a hybrid black and white tango would force Argentina to rethink its white nation identity and open itself to the possibility of confronting its racial past.

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Modern Languages

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Parkhurst, Laurel

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mendoza, Carlos Abreu

• Latin American
• history
• race
• tango
• Argentina

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/8250

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/8250