Tango in Buenos Aires - a Brief History

As the dance itself, the meaning and origins of theLunfardo (slang) is the language of Tango.
word Tango are tricky and elusive. In fact, someThe history of Tango is full of guapos, compadritos,
people say that the word Tango is probably older thanmalevos, boliches, bacanes, burdeles, bulines, fueyes,
the dance itself.malandras, milongueros, gringos, piringundines, etc.
The meaning of the word Tango is difficult to defineLearning lunfardo is fundamental in understanding the
by scholars. Some argue that the term has its origins inculture behind Tango. If one wants to become an
the black African slaves brought to the Rio de Laexpert tango dancer, one should learn lunfardo as well.
Plata coasts. Other, refers to a Portuguese expressionStarted as a language by jail inmates and used in
celebration, dance, meeting place, closed spaceprisons to serve as a secret language, the origins of
whatever the origins and the meaning of the wordlunfardo can be found among the European immigrants
Tango are; Tango has a secret and controversial originthat came to Argentina. Lunfardo it is a rich mixture of
in brothels, dating houses, conventillos or thelocal and foreign deformed terms and phrases that
underworld in the 1800s in the booming city of Buenosreflexes the identity of Buenos Aires and its culture.
Aires.By learning lunfardo, one can understand Tango and its
Originally a men's dance, Tango became a popularculture. By understanding the Tango culture, one can
dance and a way of living for those making their ownimprove much easier and faster this traditional and
history in the conventillos and the streets of Buenospopular dance that people from all around the word
Aires. Along its history, Tango was creating its owncome to learn in Buenos Aires.
identity, music, and even its own language.