Flashy,
well-dressed and reckless, the bronco riding cowboys known as Charros are Mexican
icons, displaying a style and macho bravery romanticized in the nation's folk
songs, paintings and movies. In "Yo soy Mexicano" ("I am Mexican")
Movie Star Jorge Negrete sang "Your pride is the Charro - courageous and
resolute, to wear my silver rimmed hat, so nobody can call me a coward."
That resolution not to back down in the face of wild bulls and trampling horses
lives on the modern Charreria competitions.
Their
life-risking antics, or Charreria, are rural Mexico's official sport. Each feat
or part of the competition has particular significance, and requires particular
skills, dexterity, balance, courage, and knowledge. The tradition involves a ritual
that re-affirms and celebrates our common human struggle. It is, in essence, an
art form. Contending teams show off techniques of jumping through the air onto
wild mares, riding bucking broncos and bringing down rampaging bulls with lassos.
The elegantly clad Charros paraded alongside soldiers on Independence Day celebrations
and Charros became the central characters in Mexico's government-backed film industry.
The
Charro tradition is most highly developed in Mexico. It is the Mexican variant
that Charro Associations practice in California. Each group has its own arena
where they hold performances during the season (May - October).
This
first Henry Miller Wild West Weekend will feature a demonstration / presentation
highlighting the skills of Charros and Vaqueros.
Other
Related Links
Art of the Charreria:
A Mexican Tradition - Museum
of the American West
Viva la Charreria
Mexicana Documenting A California Tradition - The
Arhoolie Foundation
More than just a sport - PE.com
Asociacion
de Charros Camperos Del Valle - National
Parks Service
Donation
Payment Page (donate via Paypal)
Vaquero
is the Spanish word for cowboy; both are basically animal herders, mostly in charge
of horses and cattle. A wrangler mostly dealt with horses, a cowpuncher dealt
with cattle. A skilled horseman is a Charro.
