Identity processes in the mirror of modernity

Oscar Alemán’s black guitar

Authors

  • Ricardo Moreno de Melo Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22478/ufpb.2447-9837.2025.n19.70215

Abstract

This paper addresses ethnic-racial identification processes in modernity based on a specific case. It focuses on the Argentine jazz singer and guitarist Oscar Alemán, whose career extended from the 1920s until 1980, when he died in Argentina at 71 years old. Drawing on concepts from Anthropology, it was possible to unravel or at least shed some light on the complexity of his case. Contrary to a naive perspective supported by an essentialist conception, which might initially interpret his path as contradictory, it was possible to perceive the subtle coherences that influenced his choices.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Ricardo Moreno de Melo, Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ)

PhD in Anthropology, Professor at the Intituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de
Janeiro (IFRJ)

Oscar Alemán (Pinterest image)

Published

2025-06-25

How to Cite

Moreno de Melo, R. (2025). Identity processes in the mirror of modernity: Oscar Alemán’s black guitar. Altera Journal of Anthropology, (19), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.22478/ufpb.2447-9837.2025.n19.70215