Mexican Cowboy History
Known as both vaqueros and charros, Mexican cowboys exist today just as they did in the 16th century. Today Mexican cowboys continue to perform the same basic duties as the traditional Mexican cowboys but with a little more respect and humane conduct than their ancestors.
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Origins
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The Mexican cowboy history finds roots in the 16th century. At that time, Spanish settlers taught their ranching practices of gathering horses and cattle to the Mexican Indian colonies. These teaching attempts turned into celebrations successful in attracting spectators within the area. Today such celebrations go by the name of "rodeos."
Employment
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Traditional Mexican cowboys did not earn an income travelling and performing circus-style acts and few modern cowboys engage in rodeos today. Traditional Mexican cowboys existed as hard-working men hired by ranchers to drive cattle across northern Mexico. Today Mexican cowboys may perform for rodeos or own and work their own ranches using skills passed down from their Spanish ancestors.
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Modernization
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The Mexican and American cowboys reached a tipping point in 1873, when inventors introduced barbed wire. Barbed wire created a rapid rise in private landholdings that kept the cowboys out and kept the cattle and horses inside a containment area. The barbed wire fence forced Mexican cowboys into new careers that often included becoming ranch-hands or ranch owners.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit mexican cowboy doing rope trick on horseback image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
