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
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 and also 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.
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. 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. 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...
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.
