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The First Cowboys - Vaqueros |
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Although cattle ranching has never been a big part of Cozumel life due to the rugged terrain and lack of grazing areas, there are plenty of cowboys (vaqueros) that call the island home. And many are expert riders and skilled horsemen.
Contrary to popular belief, the first cowboys were Mexican, not American. The cattle ranching that later emerged in the west was a blend of Mexican and Anglo-American practices but many of the techniques and terms that were used in the American cowboy culture came from the Spanish. In Mexico, the cowboy is called a "vaquero," which is a form of the word "cow" (vaca), and one out of every three cowboys in the late 1800's was the Mexican vaquero. Vaqueros working on ranchos or missions were often individuals of mixed race and in the eyes of most Spaniards were nothing more than poor laborers on horseback. Vaqueros developed their skills of roping, branding and rounding up cattle after the Spanish conquistadors introduced them to horses and cattle.
Vaqueros provided not only the way of the work but the words of the trade. "Lariat" is derived from a vaquero's long rope of braided rawhide used for catching animals, called a riata. Other words from the Spanish such as canyon, chaparral (tough, thick brush), corral, chaps (protective leather leg coverings) hackamore (a headstall or a halter for a horse, usually made of braided rawhide), mustang (wild horse), and savvy (to comprehend) have found their way into the traditional cowboy's language.
Originally, Mexican cowboys held contests among themselves to show off ranching skills such as bronco riding and roping. Now these rodeo showmen have refined their act so that they provide high-quality entertainment to rodeo fans. A new type of Mexican cowboy or vaquero is the brave and proud charro. A charreada is basically a rodeo, and in Mexico it is a recognized sport with strict rules to be followed during the competitions. Both men and women are allowed to compete, wearing colorful costumes trimmed in silver studs. During intermissions, the horsemen make their mounts dance to a live Mariachi band, while vendors circulate in the stands selling refreshments and snacks.
The horsemen (charros) who compete at charreadas sometimes travel many miles for the competition. They usually start their training as small children because it is often a family tradition, and learn to perform rope tricks and fancy horsemanship on finely-trained steeds, along with bull riding, bronco riding, and steer roping. The charros say their sport is living history, an art form developed from actual skills of a life working on the ranch.
Here on the island of Cozumel vaqueros can most often be found working on horseback riding ranches and tours offered to island visitors. And typically during Cozumel's Carnaval, some vaqueros will dress to ride in the parades while others prefer to wait and show their skills at events held during Festival de Cedral each year in the month of May.
Come See Cozumel's Vaqueros for Yourself ! Reserve Online Today! |
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Support Our Website! Reserve a Fun Excursion Online!
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Atlantis Submarines Cozumel Adventure |
Don't even get wet but dive to depths of 100 feet in a REAL submarine piloted by a professional and licensed crew and experience why Cozumel remains one of the top dive destinations in the world.
US $105 Adults / US $65 Kids
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Cozumel Country Club & Golf Course |
Since its opening in 2001, the Cozumel Country Club, Nicklaus Design Group 18-hole golf course has been steadily attracting more travelers to Cozumel.
Tee Time Rates From US $99 for 18 Holes
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Wanted to report back about our excursions you booked for us. We loved the submarine tour. Being able to go down 100' was incredibly exciting! We saw a turtle and a few large groupers. The reefs were really beautiful, so glad we did this. Jennifer Lansing ~ Palo Verdes Estate, California
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Sherri, I was browsing Cozumel Websites the last few days. I came across yours. I have never found a website so detailed to a destination in my life! You supply all the information a traveler could ever want!
You give us how to get there, what to do while we are there, where to stay, how to travel, what to do if we get sick, where to eat, and it just goes on and on!
Thank you for taking the time that you spent in making this my new favorite site!
I wish every vacation destination had a site like this! BRAVO! Jim Piere ~ Simi Valley CA 93063
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Sherri, my boss wants you to take down your webcam! It seems it is preventing me from getting any work done! I just stare at it all day. haha I will be there in two weeks. It's been since March since we spent a week there and I'm going through withdrawals. I hope Mezcalitos has the 'ritas ready for me. Jennifer ~ Louisiana
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Thank you so much for all your help! We took you tour to Chitchen-Itza in june. We were the couple that missed the tour because we did not get the wake up call. Because you went the extra mile with us (by finding us a tour operator that would honor our voucher the next day) I am extremely greatful. it certainly made our vacation. I will DEFINITELY recommend your website COZUMELINSIDER to anybody who will listen. thanks again! F. Escobar ~ not given
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Martin - You have been so kind and helpful! I will be making sure folks know about your company and how wonderful it is to have folks who can make your trip easy and fun. Wish all of our vacations could go as smoothly. Last year we had to deal with a group that Funjet uses and was not very pleased. He was hard to get ahold of, etc. We felt like he wasn't very knowledgeable or connected to the vendors. Thank you again. How easy you make this for us is incredible. J. Beeson (March 2016) ~ Cottage Grove, MN USA
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Copyright 2000 - 2024 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. Contributors retain the copyright to their work. Please do not take art or written content without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
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