HISTORY

THE CHARRERIA

by Gustavo Calderón

It seems to be a common mistake among visitors to Mexico to confuse the “charro” and the “mariachi”. For those unfamiliar with either Mexican character the reason for the confusion is simple, both wear large “sombreros”, fancy stretch suits and look similar to the untrained eye. The charro however is a horseman, while the mariachi is a musician.

The charro is a figure who has been evolving ever since the Spanish conquest, in which the use of gunpowder and horses were decisive in Spanish victory. For this reason, the original indigenous Mexicans were not allowed to use these wonderful tools for a long while. In 1555 the Viceroy of New Spain permitted for the first time a different type of bit and saddle adapted to the Mexican weather and fields, but the indigenous population wouldn’t be allowed to use them until 1619.

The development of this art and sport started in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo in the haciendas that surround its’ capital Pachuca, from where it spread all over New Spain and New Galicia, the two most precious territories of the Spanish Crown. The “Charreria” sprang from the need of the haciendas to domesticate horses and to pasture cattle. Mexican riders turned out to be very skillful, and showing this kind of brave and dangerous maneuver to others became a very popular entertainment among the Mexicans of the day.

Some people consider that the “Charreria” as a professional activity started at the end of the 19th century, with the famous “Charro Ponciano” (Don Ponciano Arriaga), who was a charro born in the Hacienda de Atenco, Hidalgo (The first cattle raising establishment in the Americas). From there the charros started to polish and develop their activity; nowadays they are very well organized and most of the time their exhibitions are non-profit. Most of the money they get is re-invested in their associations or used to pay the cost of such exhibitions, which due to the heavy toll on both outfit and horse can end up being very expensive. The “Charreria” is an activity regulated in every sense, since the equipment, riding, horse, outfit and even the hair of the charro is subject to strict rules. There is one National Federation which since 1933 has linked all the regional and state charro federations from around Mexico, bizarrely named the Federation of Fishing and the Marines, which is located in Mexico City. During the period of the former president Manuel Ávila Camacho (1940 – 1946) the charreria was declared the Mexican national sport, which has September 14th as its’ official day. There is even a charro reserve in the Mexican Army.

There are several different types of outfits worn by the charro, whose use is dictated by the kind of event the charro is attending. The outfit must always be made using muted colors, as somehow the charro suit attests to the virility of the wearer. The most simple one is the one known as the “Faena” suit which is used to practice or to do cattle tasks; the top suit known as the “Etiqueta” can cost up to several thousands dollars, and is mainly reserved for elegant parties where in all likelihood the charro won’t even go near a horse.

Women have been always involved in charrerias, at first wearing dresses adapted to ride horses, but it was not until 1937 that the first charro suit for woman was designed. Special adaptations which enhanced the performance of the women during a presentation were included, such as the saddle, which allowed more freedom in the maneuvers they made. There are groups of women who ride during charrerias called Escaramuzas; they are said to give the show a special touch which makes it even more interesting, as their riding is perceived as more skill-based than the macho displays of the male charro. There is also a “Queen of the Charros” event each year at the national meet.

During competition, the Charreria is divided basically in ten “Suertes” (lucks or maneuvers) which depend on the ability of the charro and the disposition of the horse. The score depends on the performance of the charro and can result in negative points if a suerte is completed incorrectly. To conclude the Charreria is a traditional Mexican sport and art that is qualified by the courage, presence, and elegance of the charro; the outfit, the horse and the ability to ride.

If you are interested in learning more about charros, the national charro congress takes place every October and you can check the national, regional and even US events of the “Federación Mexicana de Charrería” at: www.codeme.org.mx/charros/page4.html and from different associations at http://www.mundocharro.com/events.htm. There is a charro museum which is located in Mexico City: “Museo de la Charrería” Isabel la Católica, 108, Colonia Centro, Mexico D.F., 06010 Mexico, Phone: +52 5 7094838

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Mariachi Music

Mexican Culture

Mexican History