In Uruguay and Argentina, the gaucho (a type of South American cowboy) is a national symbol. Gauchos were historically brave explorers who took over livestock farming in remote regions and became expert horse riders.
A visit to a hacienda is an excellent place to start for visitors interested in learning about gaucho culture. These large landed estates provide lodging, traditional local food, and the opportunity to watch or participate in conventional gaucho activities such as cattle driving, sheep herding, and horseback riding.
One of the most exciting tales about gauchos is the one of Gauchito Gil, sometimes known as “the Robin Hood of Patagonia.” A veteran of numerous conflicts in Argentina, Gauchito Gil was called up again to fight for a cause he disagreed with. He left the army as a result and started as a cowboy bandit, robbing the rich and donating to the needy.
They worked as spies, guides, and scouts throughout the American Revolutionary War. Gauchos moved to the pampas to live off the land, hunt, and trade after the conflict. The finest years of the Argentine cowboys occurred throughout these decades, from the conflict’s conclusion to the beginning of the 20th century. Because Argentina’s economic growth depended on farming, a trade in which gauchos were experts, people in those days highly valued their skills.