COWBOYS OF ARGENTINA 

Many people are surprised to learn that there are cowboys in Argentina, probably because they are called “Gauchos”, not cowboys.  Just as westernized cowboys do, the gauchos run cattle ranches, ride horseback, compete in rodeos, and so on.  In fact, gauchos are also very common in Uruguay and the southern region of Brazil. 

Now, if you were to visit other parts of South America, the cowboys go by different names.  For example, in the northern region of Brazil they are known as Vaqueiro, in Chile Huaso, and in Columbia and Venezuela, Hanero.  The gauchos in Argentina earn their living out on wide-open plans, working cattle. 

The men that worked from Quechua were called Huachu, which translates to “vagabond” or “orphan.”  When the Spanish came to Argentina, they had a difficult time distinguishing the two so they started calling the men who worked the cattle “orphan gauchos” and “vagabond gauchos.”  However, eventually the vagabond and orphan would fall by the wayside, leaving the cowboys to be called simply gauchos. 

If you were to scour history books, you would actually find quite a bit of interesting work written about the Argentina gaucho.  These men were highly skilled horsemen, but they were also loners, enjoying the rugged life on the hot plains known as “pampas.”  They lived off what the land offered and had an amazing skill of tracking down lost cattle.   

Because they were so valued, the ranchers who hired the gauchos provided them protection and in fact, during battle, the gauchos were given military service.  The gauchos worked long and hard days, often being away from home and families for long periods, leaving the children to be raised by the common-law wife.  As the gauchos’ sons became old enough, they too would learn the trade, following in the gauchos’ tradition. 

The clothing of the gauchos was just as impressive as the work they performed.  They would wear wide brimmed hats, a poncho made of wool, long, pleated trousers, and baggy pants called Bombachas.  The knee-length boots worn by the gauchos were made by wrapping a piece of hide from a newly killed calf.  Then, as the hide would start to dry and become hard, it would mold perfectly around the leg of the gaucho, taking on the specific shape and size of his leg and foot. 

The gauchos were not wealthy men, typically owning nothing of value with the exception of their knife and trusted horse.  The knife was a very important piece to the gauchos, known as a Facon, which was always sharp and kept close by for quick and easy use.  Then, the Gauchos also kept Boleadora, which were stones, wrapped in strips of leather, used as a lariat or to trip cattle by looping it around the legs. 

Out on the hot plains, the Gauchos had no means of preserving meat.  Therefore, once a cow was butchered, it was immediately cooked over an open fire.  Interesting, this form of cooking meat known as Asado remains a very popular way of cooking meat today.  Both meat and mate were the main diet of the gauchos.  The mate was the famous Argentina tea called Yerba Mate, which is made from an herb that has known medicinal benefits.  The tea was brewed and consumed from a wooden cup or gourd and then sipped through a metal or wooden straw with a strainer on the end to keep the small pieces of herbs from getting into the mouth. 

Unfortunately, the gauchos were at one time considered people of low status.  However, when wars broke out over independence with the Spanish, these men were turned to for help.  With that, the military regarded them as valuable assistance, finally giving the hard-working gauchos their well-deserved respect.  Today, the gaucho is celebrated in Argentina on June 16 every year for their huge contribution to the War of Independence. 

Remember that during the war on independence, the gauchos showed some resistance.  After all, they had long been loners, working the plains and fending for themselves.  Therefore, giving up their independence was difficult.  However, over time they did surrender their solitary existence, becoming employees of many reputable ranches.  With this, the gaucho began to settle down, working to round up lost cattle, branding animals, mending fences, and working the way of a good, old cowboy. 

Even today, gauchos are an important aspect of ranching life in Argentina, as well as Brazil and Uruguay.  Along with the traditional roles, you now see gauchos curing and dying hides and raising cattle.  In Brazil, there are more than 1,200 rodeos held every year, many of the competitors being what else, gauchos who come from near and far to show off their impeccable skills. 

Anywhere you look in Argentina where there are cattle to be tended and ranches to be run, you will find gauchos sitting tall and proud on their horses, working in the hot sun to make an honest living.