18/11/2024
For quite a while now, I have had a feeling that I am unhappy with the words used to describe my main role in Argentine Tango, the word ‘Follower’.
What is a Follower? What does that word suggest? It’s a word commonly used in many dance styles now to describe the role still mainly danced by women as it is considered inappropriate to say ‘men and women’ or the gentlemen or the woman’s role. With gender awareness, most dance styles have adopted the words ‘Leader’ and ‘Follower’. After consideration, I’ve decided I don’t like it because I don’t think it does justice to the role of the Follower in Argentine Tango and what he / she actually does, therefore I think it undermines the role of the Follower.
When I dance Argentine Tango, I do not follow without thinking, my role is very active. I consider myself equal to my partner in the dance. I am active, not passive and if anything, I consider my role to be reactive!
I react to my partners suggestions and I add where appropriate, I am not a sheep following the leader without question. I do not take control of the dance or direction but I do add and create opportunities for my partner to inspire him or her. You could say that I create opportunities in my dancing for my partner within the harmony of the embrace.
The word ‘Follower’ creates a dancer that believes they have no right on the floor to express themselves, they are there simply for the ‘Leader’ to enjoy themselves.
Looking back in time to the early years, I doubt very much that the strong women of yesteryear followed men without question. The Argentine women I know are strong and independent, the idea of them simply following and adding nothing to the dance does not compute!
When I dance, I react to the Leaders role, I don’t question it. Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that I would ignore the Lead and try to go in a different direction, but the energy that I put into my dancing is the equal and is a complimentary reaction to the Lead and if I can add something to the musicality by way of an appropriate decoration then all the better.
The term ‘Follower’, encourages people in that role to add nothing and that becomes boring.
So, instead of ‘Follower, I think I would prefer to be called ‘a partner’. At least that suggests that my role is equal to and contributes something to the dance partnership!
