|
|
|
|
|
The First Cowboys - Vaqueros |
|
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! |
|
Support Our Website! Reserve a Fun Excursion Online!
|
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
|
We will be leaving tommorrow for 2 week stay at Islamar villas and diving with Dive Paradise. All of this along with a car rental was booked through you guys. Not only did you have a professional attitude through all the e-mails in booking the original dates but at the last minute I extended my stay. You and your staff were especially kind through all of this. You got the car extended and went way out of your way to make sure everything was taken care of, not to mention letting me borrow your personal roller bag to go to the market. You extended everything with ease and you are a great asset to Cozumel and Mexico. This will be my 12 th trip and I will never work with anyone else from now on. Thank you Sherri. Jack J. Marshall ~ Enid Oklahoma, USA
|
Thanks for a great website and facebook page. I can hardly wait to get back to my favorite island! Joey & Amy ~ USA
|
I wanted to let you know how much we enjoy your publication. We use it as our go-to-source for our Cozumel vacation. So much great information in one place. We are here for the month of April and use your advertisers for many of our adventures. R. & R. King (April 2015) ~ Lincoln, CA USA
|
I just wanted to let you know that the private charter van service was outstanding. Thanks so much to you and your staff for arranging for the beverages on board and the driver was great. We will be visiting Cozumel again will always be utilizing yours and Uniper's assistance. R. Lee Family ~ Colorado
|
i've been on your site for the last week just checking everything out i'm telling you that you have the best site for learning about cozumel to all the execursions that are offered. also the information about how to get to the hotel from the airport with the cost about the ferry to every question that a person like myself would have that is planning on travelling to your beautiful country we are planning on retiring there. our family and myself will be arriving in Cancun and then going on to Cozumel. we will be staying at the reef and then park royal but i printed out coupons and all the info about the ferry, the ado bus and all the execursions we want to do . i'm lucky because i speak the language and i love to talk to people i would love to also get the pleasure of meeting with you which i'm sure i will since we plan on doing alot of your execursions. thank you for this beautiful site i enjoyed every minute i spend on it i look forward to hearing back from you! F.J. Bennett ~ belleriver ontario canada
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|