The Gauchos of Argentina and Ecuador
Jimmy Nelson’s brilliant photos of the men and women who roam the pampas
Nomadic and colourful horsemen and cowboys have wandered the prairies as early as the 1700s, when wild Cimarron cattle overpopulated the flatlands. In the 18th century, when leather was in high demand, Gauchos arose to clandestinely hunt the huge herds of horses and cattle.
The word ‘Gaucho’ was used to describe the free spirits, inseparable from their horse and knife. Over time, when extensive portions of prairies were settled and commercial cattle began, there was less room for the Gauchos to roam. As their way of living changed, the legend of the Gaucho grew.
Some presume that the name gaucho is derived from the Mapuche
cauchu, meaning ‘vagabond’. Others consider the Quechua word
huachu, meaning ‘orphan’, to be a better candidate.
Whatever its roots, the word ‘gaucho’ came into existence for the
first time in the late 1800s to describe a roguish individual that
would ride alone, sometimes with a woman, whose only baggage
was a facon (knife), boleadoras (three iron or stone balls on
leather cords thrown at the legs of an animal to immobilise it)
and a reata (lasso), in order to capture running cattle or game.
When on the range, the gaucho diet consisted almost entirely of beef, supplemented by yerba mate, a herbal tea-like drink rich in caffeine and nutrients. Cows were slaughtered for their hides, leaving the meat for the gauchos, who promptly roasted it on an open fire before it spoiled. Argentina’s national dishes are derived from simple gaucho cooking (Asados).
Today, Gauchos enjoy much recognition and perform valuable tasks. They do exist and can be seen in many villages or towns in the countryside carrying themselves with a well deserved pride.
All photos and text courtesy of Jimmy Nelson and the Before They Pass project.
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