¡Vamos al Charrería!
Mexico City, January 2020
These photographs were taken in January 2020, in a Mexico City Charrería, depicting the spectators and participants of the tradition of ‘El Charreada’, the official national sport of Mexico since 1933. Over the course of two consecutive Sunday afternoons, I visited Lienzo Charro de la Villa, close to the famous church of Guadelupe, on the periphery of Mexico City. Charreria’s are present in almost every city, and are emblematic arenas of Mexican history. This year, Lienzo Charro de la Villa celebrates it’s 88th anniversary.
The Charrería or Charreada as it is called, is a competitive sport similar to rodeo, which stems from 17th Century colonial Mexico, developed from animal husbandry traditions in the haciendas of the time. Unlike rodeos, events are not timed; they are judged. Each team gains points on their performance for each event. Finesse, handling and elegance of the performance preside over speed. The Charro is the term used for the riders of the sport. For their particpance in the events, the Charro’s must follow very strict guidelines, from the way they carry themselves in the arena, to the details of their outfit. Every component of their riding gear stems from tradition, their hats, spurs and leathers; and all must meet traditional criteria in order for the riders to take part.
The styles of dress and customs present at the Charrería have been credited with influencing ‘cowboy style’, and have been called the original cowboys. The sport can be seen as a sort of ‘living history’, intrinsic to the fabric of Mexican history to this day. The ‘Charro’ way of life as it has been described, entails the lives of people who live and breath the culture of the Charrería - attending competitions as a family every weekend. It was clear that the Charrería is a strong community of friends, family, and intergenerational enjoyment of the sport with horses. From the young boys and teenagers eagerly training to be like their fathers… to the current players and their families, and the older generation, who watch with joy and reminiscence of their former days of riding.
Featured by Pylot Magazine & Huck Magazine.
