[Tango-L] Malambo

[Sergio Vandekier]

The "malambo" was born in the loneliness of the plain around 1600. Among our dances, it is an exception because it does not have lyrics, the music of the guitars accompany this dance that only men perform. The dancer shows off with the tap dancing, the "cepillada" (brushing) (to graze the floor with the sole of the foot), the "repique" (the hit with the heels and the spur) or the "floreos". His feet hardly touch the ground.
The dancer’s movements, when crossing his legs, tapping energetically making capers with the lasso and the balls, are amazing. The "malambo", the same as the "payada the contrapunto" (poetic competition) was, in the traditional dances, a real tournament of the "gaucho’s" skills.

 
Malambo competitions are part of the celebration of the end of the harvest in rural areas.  Malambo dancers also perform in folkloric shows in the cities.
 
The gauchos competing are judged by the symmetry of their steps, (they show that they are able to do the steps with both legs), skill, dexterity, clothing, elegance, attitude, demeanor.
 
Sometimes they use boleadoras, lazos, spurs.
 
There are competitions of Quartets de Malambo, (four dancers). These competitions are choreographed.
 
The instruments that are used are the drum, the guitar, violin and bandoneon.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecEtLOFRA1A&feature=related
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYuCURAXTII&feature=related  Drums and boleadoras
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRnQ1x2sMBg&feature=related Malambo Show
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqU6dubeUng&feature=related  With Boleadoras
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euXj4j8YVOg&feature=related
 
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QihC4Opvfb4&feature=related  Cuarteto
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