Fun Fact #445 Legend of The Guacho

 Fun Fact #445

Legend of “The Gaucho”

In South America, on the hill-plains of Pampas, roamed a people known only as “The Gaucho”. From the outside they may appear like Cowboys, but they predate them by far. The reason for this similarity is because Cowboys are what the Gauchos in Texas became when they traded their knives, swords, and spears in for Firearms. 

Originally Guachos sought the wild herds of Cows and Horses the Spanish had seded decades ago in the Pampas of South America –only returning to civilization when they had product to sell. They were also known for their kindness to travelers not caring who were or where you were going, even lending help if needed. While this policy did get them in trouble on the topic of fugitives, by and large they were looked upon favorably as “Civilizing the Pampas”. In fact it is thought their name even resembles this coming from the Quecha word “Huachu '' meaning Orphan and Vagabond. 

Then as European settlers came, The Pampas began to be fenced, and Guachos did not take kindly to the new authority, instead retreating further into the Pampas. At least until the rebellions began, where their skill in tracking, gathering food and coordination against larger groups was weaponized to form “The Legion of Hell” ; an array of disparate groups who tended to oppose the colonial authorities becoming notable allies and sometimes enemies of Simòn Bolivar during his dream to free South America until they disbanded and returned to their ways.

  Today Gauchos still exist in the Pampas region, although if you see a real one it's likely you're very lost, or in Brazil/Uruguay where the term has different cultural significance –and if you’re real unlucky the two aren't mutually exclusive. Argentina even has a national holiday (December 6th) to honor them.

(Photo is of an Argentinian Gaucho in 1868)