Tango Cambalache (pronounced kam baˈ la tʃe)
The word cambalache (pronounced kam baˈ la tʃe), it is said, has it’s origins in the late 19th and early 20th century Buenos Aires, although the word is no longer used in Castillano — Argentine Spanish — or any other language for that matter. Yet it’s origins and meanings have significance. The word Cambalache denotes a ’swap’ or an ‘exchange’ — the same type of interaction and engagement that has contributed so much to the growth and development of tango over the last century.
Fast forward to today, where the tango dancing is a universal non-verbal language spoken throughout the world. Tango dancers worldwide use their tango vocabulary in an exchange, as they share their feelings, emotions and passion for things so important to them. So to use the word cambalache as a metaphor in this blog helps provide a framework for a free and ongoing dialog — an exchange of feelings and perspectives on our passion for tango and the impact it has on our lives. The dialog may not be linear and may more closely resemble a hodge-podge of scattered or fleeting thoughts, but those, too, are part of both the tango experience and the meaning of the word cambalache. It is part of what holds us all together and moves us forward in life at the same time.
What are some of those things ‘tango’ that you may only shared privately with a handful of people; yet they have such relevance for us all? In this column, feel free to share your thoughts, your perspectives and areas of intrique that can range from practical to meaningful experiences in our lives. It is my hope that this exchange — this tango cambalache — will put a smile on our face, as it helps nurture and enrich our lives.
