Video: Mexico's Charrería Tradition
A glimpse at Mexico's national rodeo traditions, including the famous charro horsemen and performers.
In the early days of Spanish colonialism, the wide, open plains of the Americas provided a crucial supply of food to growing cities. Local wildlife populations gradually declined in favor of vast herds of cattle, first imported to the New World by Christopher Columbus and Ponce de Leon. From the Pampas of Argentina to the Great Plains of the United States, cattle thrived under the care of attentive horsemen, who brought their skills and traditions from the similar plains of Spain. In the United States, these rough-living ranchers are known as cowboys. In Mexico, they are called charros and vaqueros.
Although similar, charros and vaqueros can be told apart by a few key differences. Vaqueros are associated with daily ranch work—they tend to wear more plain clothing and raise cattle for a living. Charros, meanwhile, are more commonly seen at a charreada, similar to a rodeo. On important days, charros, both men and women, don elaborate costumes and show off their skill in acrobatics, horsemanship, and ropework. Their heritage stems in part from cattle culture, but also from Mexico’s military traditions.
Charros grew popular through charreadas, which began as informal competitions between neighboring haciendas. From these, the modern rodeo and charreada emerged. A typical charreada now hosts ten competitive events, including one exclusively for female competitors. Favorite events include roping, reining, bull riding, and bronco handling. Competing safely and successfully in a charreada requires years of training and strong teamwork between a horse and rider.
The charro legacy nearly ended with the decline of the haciendas, but through revival efforts, the charreada is now the national sport of Mexico. Additionally, the sport also has fans in the United States, which sees regular competitions as well. And of course, each event is also home to plenty of good food, music, and pageantry. If you’re looking for a glitzy and exciting day outdoors, a charreada is well worth your time!
This video, courtesy of UNESCO, showcases Charrería in Mexico today, including the skilled maneuvers of both horses and riders. Enjoy!
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