The Gauchos, horsemen and ranch workers on the pampas of South America, constitute a specific

masculine, equestrian culture glorifying the values honor, freedom, righteousness, bravery and
manliness.

The Gauchos are a singularly striking looking set of men; generally tall, with the most proud,
dissolute expression. They wear their moustaches and long black hair curling down their necks.
With their bright colored robes, great spurs clanking on their heels, and a knife, stuck (and often
used) as a dagger at their waist, they look a very different race of men from our working
countrymen

Galloping across the wild prairies of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Southeastern Bolivia, Southern
Chile, and Southern Brazil are the gaúchos. These bombacha wearing free spirits are the cowboys
of South America. They are bound to their horses and devoted to chasing the call of the wild (and
wild cattle). They are famously brave, notoriously unruly, and renowned in legends and folklore.
Gaúchos have existed for thousands of years and are one of the most romanticised cultures in the
world.

These classifications varied according to the beholder. The different types of gauchos as "gaucho
malo" (an outlaw but not a bandit, stealing horses is his "profession"), "gaucho rastreador" (who
helps trace the path of people or animals), "gaucho baqueano" (who holds a vast knowledge of the
topography), and "gaucho cantor' (troubadour, oral historian).

The current definition of Gaucho culture in this region encompasses the interlocking levels of
identities of gender, class, occupation, geographical setting and ethnic origin. In their own
understanding of what it means to be a Gaucho, gauchos are men; they are rural wage workers
skilled in pastoral activities and horsemanship. In contrast to the landowner, whom they do not
consider to be a gaucho, they do not own land and must work to earn their living.