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Many of us dream of making a living from our creative efforts and living offshore. What could be more pleasurable then being a photographer that travels around the world and creates photo essays? Gustavo Gatto does just that. This photo essay on The Argentine Gaucho's World is typical of the fine work that Gustavo creates.  It's a pleasure to be able to feature it in our webZine. His website GattoStock displays many instances of his art. Gustavo Gatto    GattoStock Av. Cuauhtemoc 727-5  Col. Narvarte (03020) Mexico, D.F.  MEXICO - Tel/Fax: (525) 682 10 52 URL: http://www.gattostock.com

At The Corrals Click Images to enlarge .

Nestor Carro pulling the lead mare Click to Enlarge

In La Pampa one of the most deep rooted traditions are the tropillas, troop of horses lead by a lead mare, trained to perform different works in the fields. Now a days, this traditional job of tropillero remained forgotten for decades, but now it has received a new impulse andalso  are common in the popular festivities with parades and exhibitions of the best tropillas where they show the skills of their animals. Their uniform color hair distinguishes each group of tropillas, as well as, the shape of the troop beside their lead mare, keeping the right order that requires the choreography.

The "estancia" is one of the most typical housing in the argentinean fields, it is a kind of a rural establishment with certain productive entity, it's extension may vary according the region. Its origins date back to colonial times. Lately the Villaverde estancia became a place for ecological tourism >>> Click Photo at right to enlarge

In spite of the great European immigration affluence that had Argentina at the end of last century and the beginning of this one, we can still appreciate in the crafts, the indigenous presence in the society. <<< Rastras  (gaucho's belt) and stirrups Click on image to enlarge

The Araucanos inherit a rich cultural patrimony which can be appreciated in the hand-woven fabrics dyed with vegetables ( matras, poncho, peleros).

A Creole touch is given by the inhabitants of La Pampa (center-south of the country) who are considered to be the best men to braid the leather, using leather thong to make knives' hilt and riding crop handles. packaging for matés, tobacco, etc... Women stand out due to their embroidery on ostrich's crop.
 

The gaucho's dressing begins with a black hat, white shirt and a handkerchief around the neck. Corralera liviana, is a kind of blouse or a short  vest Tirador (rastra belt)  done  with  capybara leather decorated with gold and silver, specially with Spanish coins called carolus. He does not wear the bombacha (knickers) ,it was later used , he wears the traditional calzoncillo cribadio with the edges meticulously worked.  Don Luis Rivero Rivero wearing its classical formal suit that dates to the ends the XIX century Click On Image to Enlarge >>>>

Over it, wears a chiripá (gaucho's dress trousers, made of an embroidered worsted shawl with a corner drawn between the legs over the lace pantaloons)  An the last thing are the Botas de potro ( piece without hills made with the animal's shank. ) where  the repousé silver spurs are held, matching with the material of the rebenque (the riding crop that Don Rivero holds in his hand)
 

La doma is one of the most characteristic trades .in the field is special feature is the skill of the horse riders on wild horses. Now a days is a public show where any volunteer may participate in different categories, according to the tacks that put over the animal: bareback, with saddlecloth and saddle cinch.. At the corrals, the colts are waiting anxiously to enter into the field. <<< Click On Image to Enlarge

When the horse is let loose the horse rider must last approximately 15 seconds over the horse, always respecting the only rule, which is not to hold by the mane and if he falls should be standing up. A lot of public is attracted to these traditional by the tropillas' fame and the well-known horse riders. Control and riding are the main events in this dangerous and excitement festivity.  >>> Click On Image to Enlarge