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Sharing with you a Great Article

History does matter. Just as a thirsty body needs water, a curious mind desires accurate reporting and a factual sequence of events. Tango is no different. A thorough understanding of Tango’s roots and personal story leads to a greater appreciation of this ancient art.
Some people in the Tango community are bent out of shape every time someone points to a few historical facts about the genesis of Tango. Bring up Tango’s African roots, and these non-historians transform into ferocious bulldogs (no offense to the dog kingdom), ready to attack those who dare bring forth what has long been ignored, distorted, confiscated and willfully destroyed. They cannot make sense of history and their beloved art form, questioning: why is that relevant to dancing Tango today?
Well, if it’s not relevant, why have the facts been distorted? Of course it’s relevant. It becomes easier to learn and comprehend dance moves when one understands their social context and the psychology and emotion of their originators embedded in them. It is that simple. That’s what makes Tango so special. It has evolved to encompass many known influences from its original roots - yes, Candombe!

This month, I would like to share with you a historically important article by a great author: Marcela C. Guerrero, a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Art History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This well-written and well-researched document cites numerous references from a variety of sources, making it possible to broaden a personal quest.

Marcela’s Argentinean mother and Ecuadorian father raised her in her birth country of Puerto Rico. She had the opportunity to meet Facundo and Kelly Posadas when they traveled to Puerto Rico to teach. Recently, I established contact with her. Her work is a great contribution to the efforts undertaken by those who feel the need to reveal the truth of Tango’s origins.
I present her original work as it appeared in the Delaware Review of Latin American Studies. Click on the following link to open the document:

http://www.tangomagdalena.com/Vol9-1GuerreroMedina.html

Tangamente,
Jean-Pierre Sighe

© November 2008