Argentine Tango

The Argentine Tango originated in the streets and lower class areas of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the late 19th century. The roots of this dance are in African candombe, Cuban habanera as well as waltzes and polkas. It became a popular dance among European immigrants, former slaves and the working and lower classes. It came about through the nostalgia and melancholy felt by those who were far away from home. At the beginning, Argentine tango was not liked by the middle and upper classes who were engaging in ballroom dances including the Viennese Waltz. Only in the decade between 1910 and 1920, Argentine tango started becoming fashionable in the major European capitals.