A huaso participates in a Chilean rodeo during 18 September festivities. Photo by Kendal Montgomery.
If there´s one thing that I love more than anything in Chile —even surpassing Mote con Huesillo— it´s "el huaso," the Chilean cowboy.
He wears his flat-rimmed hat, a wool poncho with ideally tight, black pants when not working, jeans and chaps when working —still, ideally tight, for the sake of me being female— and spurred boots while sitting atop a strong, good-looking horse. And of course, he dances Cueca.
Sure, there are other variations, but all embolden that look-at-me-I´m-a-real-man kind of style. They´re cowboys, and they´re simply fantastic!
Though the exact origins of the word "huaso," is debatable, ranging from a Quechua term meaning "rustic, crude or rude," to a Mapuche word meaning "back or legs," it now signifies a man on horse, a cowboy. Furthermore, a "huaso" generally has a good connotation today, as a man who works the land, is caring, good mannered and humble.
And that´s how I see him, seeming to exude chivalry, while being masculine and unpretentious; a "huaso" is the exemplary Chilean man. Though aside from festivals, mainly at the independence celebrations in September, the "huaso" is not a common sight here in Santiago, leave the city and he´s everywhere, especially the further south you go.
Since the first time I laid eyes on him, I was captivated, hence my "huaso" photo collection, taken throughout my time and travels here in the ever-so-lovely Chile. Dear readers, I present to you: "El Huaso."
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