Details
Title The tango [graphic].
Publisher [New York: Harper & Brothers]
Publisher NY. New York. 1855
Date July 1857
Physical Description 1 print: wood engraving; image 9 x 11 cm. (3.5 x 4.5 in)
Description Engraving accompanies the lead article "The Carib Settlements." According to the unnamed author, it is set in the house of the "King of the Cannibal Islands" in Tulian, Honduras. In the center of the scene, a small group dances to the sound of the musicians' drums (right). As the author explained, "Our arrival was the signal for the commencement of the festivities. Such another exhibition of the Terpsichorean art I never had the pleasure of witnessing. Their instruments consisted of a couple of drums made of hollow logs with hide stretched over one end, and a Boston tin cracker-box, on which instruments a sort of running accompaniment was beaten with their hands. Wild songs were chanted during the progress of the dance, one of which, more moderate than the rest, and in English, was shouted for our benefit." In the next paragraph, he continued, "I am told their dancing is a perfect counterpart of similar proceedings on the western coast of Africa, from whence they originally came. They place the music in the centre of the room, and arranged themselves around it, and commenced a series of movements of the body, throwing in frequent twists and jerks by way of embellishment." (p. 149)
Is part of Harper's new monthly magazine. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1855.
Notes Illustration in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, vol. 15, no. 86 (July 1857), p. 149.
Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Scenes from Daily Life.
Subject Black Carib Indians -- Dance.
Geographic subject Honduras -- Social life & customs.
Honduras -- Pictorial works -- 19th century.
Genre Wood engravings -- 1850-1860.
Periodical illustrations -- 1850-1860.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Books & Other Texts | Rare | Per H 9 62992.O v 15 n 86 July 1857 p 149
Accession number 62992.O