Tango as an Identity

On a taxi ride I asked the taxi driver if he was a native Argentine and porteno,(city resident of Buenos Aires). He responded that he was, and that of course he knew tango. His answer was affirmative and supported in his mind by the ability to dance the tango. This raised an interesting thought in the importance of tango in the minds of citizen or the global importance they believe it holds. Tango is what Argentina is known for around the world, and therefore feels that in order to legitimize their claim they must be able to dance it. Tango is not the foundation for identity because everyone goes tangoing all the time, or that they are all amazing dancers. Argentines want to have pride in their country in what the world sees them as contributing. They want to be a part of what others recognize them for. Tango is a chance for anyone, regardless of political views, social status, profession, or even football affiliation, to be able to be Argentine and be a part of that pride. It is the element across all other divisions for the whole to belong. This uniting factor was evident in Monte Video, Uruguay at the Buddy Bears Exhibit. This is the UN project where each of the 144 countries who are members of the UN have painted a bear about 6 feet tall. Argentina’s bear has a cameo of Gardel in the front center. Of the things Argentina could have communicated with the bear, it chose to fortify their claim to tango. Pride and identity is determined by what the world sees them worth. For Argentina, being able to tango is a way for a citizen to be sure they are Argentine. The dance doesn’t care about beliefs, social status, profession, neighborhood, football team or political ideas. Argentina’s tango, just like the attitude of the people, is often nostalgic, sultry, and longing for something more as a country and on the dance floor.