Q 01/05

Tango originated in the 1880s along which river, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay?

A) Río de la Plata

B) Uruguay River

C) Paraná River

D) Bermejo River

Answer · why

A) Río de la Plata

It grew out of Argentine milonga, Spanish-Cuban habanera and Uruguayan candombe in the poor port districts.

Q 02/05

In what kind of establishments was early tango most often danced?

A) Army barracks and forts

B) Provincial opera houses

C) Cathedral parish halls

D) Brothels and bars of the ports

Answer · why

D) Brothels and bars of the ports

Buenos Aires in 1914 had 100,000 more men than women, which is why men often practised the dance together.

Q 03/05

In 2009 UNESCO added tango to which of its lists, on a joint proposal by Argentina and Uruguay?

A) World Heritage Sites

B) Memory of the World

C) Intangible Cultural Heritage

D) Creative Cities

Answer · why

C) Intangible Cultural Heritage

The approval came on 31 August 2009.

Q 04/05

One theory derives 'tango' from shangó, god of thunder in which West African religion?

A) Akan

B) Igbo

C) Zulu

D) Yoruba

Answer · why

D) Yoruba

Rivals include Spanish tambor (drum), Portuguese tanger (to play) and the Kongo word ntangu (sun, hour).

Q 05/05

In colonial Buenos Aires the words 'tango' and 'tambo' were used as synonyms for what?

A) Barrel organs

B) Slave dance gatherings

C) Cattle markets

D) Waterfront taverns

Answer · why

B) Slave dance gatherings

A 1789 complaint by cabildo official Manuel Warnes urged authorities not to allow 'dances and gatherings as those of the tango'.