Los Negros, the first ensemble of white people in blackface at the Buenos Aires carnival (1865-1870)

Abstract

   The Buenos Aires carnival in the last third of the 19th century was an arena for negotiating ethnic-racial differences in one of the most multi-ethnic and changing cities of the world. During carnival various performances of cultural appropriation took place, one of the most notable of which was that of white men in blackface. This article examines the phenomenon of blackface carnival ensembles, beginning with the first and best known, Los Negros. On the basis of an exhaustive examination of primary sources, I review its main features and possible connections with transnational culture and propose an interpretation of its performances at carnivals.