Body Contact or No Body Contact: Tango and Its Modifications
Tango is a style of dance that invokes passion from both
the dancers and the observers.
This dance has now been known all throughout the world. However, little is known about the dance and its origins.
Despite years and decades of effort, researchers have difficulty pinpointing a definitive origin point for tango.
There are multiple studies claiming the origin. However, no consensus has been largely established among the researchers and experts alike, only prompting debates and discussions that lead to no real end.
One thing is certain about tango. The intrigue of the dance has created nations and comforted generations. Even today, people are still intrigued by the dance, especially how it can hone relationships between couples.
Let us learn more about tango, and see if we can use it to keep our relationships burning, be it with body contact or not.
The Origin of Tango
There are two claimed origins of the word tango.
One is Latin and the other is African. Just like its history, nobody truly knows the origin of the word. However, we may find the tango’s history to be dark.
Latin
The origin of the word in Latin stems from a simple pretext: the tangir. It can be translated as "someone who plays instruments. "
Simple enough, as it does require instruments in order for us to dance tango, especially before the modern era.
African
Here is why tango has a dark history.
Some researchers believe the word's origin dates back to a time of slavery, as two sources for its African origin emerged during slave trading. Thus, tango would translate to the African slaves dancing to the beat of the drums. In fact, some slaves coming from Africa would call the drum itself "tango." On the other hand, the slave traders used to refer to the holding area for slaves in Africa as the tango.
For the slaves that went through Europe, the name meant closed spaces or a private space that required permission for entry. Hence, resulting in an origin wrapped in a history of violence and oppression.
Tango Is a Fusion
Regardless of the two origins mentioned above, we can say that a large portion of the development of the dance can be credited to a mix of cultures.
There was a portion of the world’s history where immigration was essential. People of different nations gather in one country to create and achieve a higher standard of living.
Because of this, we may conclude that immigrants invented tango by fusing their cultures together.
This was done by incorporating different beats and styles of dance from all over the globe, creating an uplifting atmosphere, alleviating the feeling of homesickness of the immigrants, and providing comfort through dance and music.
In fact, despite some countries claiming the origin of the dance to be from their country, it is important for us to note that these countries have a variation.
It is worth noting that dance is not a primal form.
Let’s learn more about that below.
Before: Tango Is Unsophisticated
Given the origin of the name and its nature, the dance was not taken kindly by high society in earlier times, with implications that the dance originated from immigrants and slaves. Thus, high society regarded this dance of passion as vulgar and unsophisticated.
Years later, the next generation eventually established the dance in high society, transforming it from a brutish and vulgar dance into the dance of the upper class. This trend eventually made it all throughout Europe and some portions of Asia.
Now: Tango Is Known Worldwide
Tango has now evolved. Some nations have a fiery belief that tango is theirs.
Considering that immigration is one of its sources, we cannot conclude that it originated somewhere other than Argentina.
Tango, regardless of its origin, has brought so many versions to light. With new music comes new variations and styles, and it continues to evolve.
Now, we can dance tango as an expression of emotion, passion, and comfort. Nowaydays tango is part of the world’s heritage.
Tango Types and Styles or rather…
commonly heard expressions with ‘tango’ word in it
As mentioned, tango has evolved. Tango quickly created an abundance of forms and styles for us to enjoy. Some come from history, while others are a bit more technical.
However, there are distinguishable styles or trademarks for certain types of tango. These distinguishable styles can be determined by different factors:
● Beat, speed, or a set of routines.
● Different leg positioning between partners, leading to a leg being a part of the routines.
● Heal and toe position, resulting in either a flat-footed dancing style or a toe-centric movement pattern.
● How a pair holds each other can be a difference in tango styles as well. The degree of looseness or tightness, as well as the shape of the embrace, differs between styles.
1. Ballroom Tango
It is the variation of the dance seen in the majority of competitions. Stiff postures, sharp head moves, bend knees - that’s characteristics of Tango as ballroom presents it.
2. Salon Tango
With a more open embrace and embedded elegance Tango Salon is considered one of the most popular forms or types of Argentine Tango among higher classes, having flourished throughout the tango’s golden years (1935-1952).
3. Argentine Tango
Argentine Tango as a term really encompasses a variety of styles. It depicts the rich historical and cultural aspects from as early as 19th century Argentina. Tango technique is distinguishable by its use of body contact that starts at the chest expressing heart to heart or soul to soul connection.
4. Tango Nuevo
This is one of the new evolutions of tango, given birth during the rise of jazz and techno-inspired music.
The music displayed during a Tango Nuevo can be described as a fusion of techno and traditional tango, but it really can be translated into everything that happens in Tango stating in the nineties.
5. Finnish Tango
It rose into fame after World War I, when the development of the nation brought in tango. Then it incorporated distinctive movements from Finnish culture.
There may be little kicking and lifting in these styles of tango, but there is a lot of body contact and horizontal movements, as well as a low-level posture throughout the dance.
6. Uruguayan Tango
This was developed at the same time as the Argentine Tango. It also incorporates a routine that initially involves the chest area.
From there emerged the multiple subtypes influenced by various genres, such as Tango, Milonga, Vals, and Candombe.
7. Tango Apilado
This is the type of tango where you see individuals in a closer embrace or body contact created by intense lining toward and on each other. We can commonly use it when we dance with our pairs in a crowded area.
8. Show Tango
It is a version of the theatrical tango mostly used on stage. Also known as Tango Fantasia - fantasy Tango.
Body Contact and No Body Contact Tango
Many see Tango embrace oscillating between two extremes:
1. Open Embrace
Couples dance with an open space in between the two dancers, with no body contact.
2. Close Embrace
Couples dance chest-to-chest expressed as heart to heart, or soul to soul. There is a lot of space for the legs movements. Very often close embrace is interpreted as THE ONLY embrace that shall be used. However - this is not necessarily the case.
3 Major Mutations: The Lineage Of Tango Dance
Tango has existed for as long as we can remember. Many people have been dancing it for presentation or competition. Many more - for simply social reasons.
Another significant thing about the joy and pleasure of doing this dance is the fact that there is no ‘one’ tango. Tango is many things to many people. It is fascinating to know that there isn’t only a single form of tango and that time has been a factor in its evolution and changes.
Tango, like other dances, has a historical background. However, in current times it evolves much faster and its movements now appear much more sophisticated.
Understanding more about the mutations of tango can help us choose the right tango to dance with our partner. The most noticeable ones include Argentine Tango, International Standard, and American Ballroom.
Establishing a Relationship with Tango
Just like with any relationship, dancing tango involves "give and take". If we want to excel at tango, we have to work together with our partner, so we can create a spark that could attract viewers.
How Can We Ignite That Spark and Keep it Going?
The integrity, fantasy, and intrigue of the tango are all significant elements of the dance.
Naturally, we begin as neophyte dancers, and with no idea where we're heading. However, it is our passion and interest that drives us to discover and learn more about it.
Furthermore, we also wish to explore the creativity of fantasy and romance. This will eventually help us assess if it is the right one for us.
While we progress, this will grant us time to polish our tango dance. You have to be practical about the stage where we will be performing our tango.
Accessing the Heart Center
We must possess the skills to connect with our partner through the heart.
In Argentine tango, we grasp the importance of connecting from the heart. The leader does not use just hands to convey a message. Instead, he maximizes the entire body. Thus, to transmit and receive feedback, we shall relax and be receptive.
Through the language of tango, we can reawaken and ignite our love for our partner. In reality, we will never be able to dance the tango unless we open up to perceive and interpret bodily sensations. Cooperate with the partner is one thing. Sensitivity and sensuality - are another.
Dance Tango for a Better Relationship
Dancing tango, as previously mentioned, is not a success if there is no commitment and communication between partners. In this way, tango is similar to a relationship. There might be the spark, but without deepening the connection and trust as the time passes, the interest will evaporate.
We can then learn to communicate through dancing. Thus, we can become more aware of our partners using just non-verbal understanding.
Let’s ignite the romance and passion of our relationship with the help of tango!