Milonga codes

I think the codes of the Cosa Nostra and the codes of the milonga in Buenos Aires have things in common.

The Cosa Nostra (aka “mafia”) began during the middle of the 19th century, although confirmation of its existence in Italy wasn’t acknowledged until 1992. It is a brotherhood with rituals, rules of behavior, and a code of honor–don’t talk, listen, and observe. The codes are unwritten and passed on by word of mouth by its members. They are codes for life. The mafia exists in only two countries in the world–Sicily and the USA since many Italians immigrated to New York before World War I.

From 1870-1914 (when tango’s predecessor the milonga was being created by musicians), there was a large migration of Italians to Buenos Aires. Many of the poets and composers of tango were of Italian descent—Miguel Calo, Carlos Di Sarli, Homero Manzi, Enrique Discepelo, Julio DeCaro, etc. The codes of the milonga pattern those of the mafia in many ways—behavior, silence, respect and nothing being written. With so many Italians living in Buenos Aires at the turn of the century, it’s no surprise that the codes of the milongas were established and passed on the same way as the mafia tradition has functioned for generations.

Buenos Aires and tango are so closely linked by history and culture, that if you separate them, you end up with something else. Milongas in the USA hardly resemble those of BuenosAires. Milongas were called that because of the presence of milongueros. Americans hold tango parties for socializing, not milongas. In BuenosAires, one’s personal life is left at the door. Tango is more than a dance for the milongueros–it is their life, what they have lived.

 

 

Tags: milonga codes, milongueros