History Main / Gaucho

* In ''Film/{{Moonraker}}'', Film/JamesBond (Creator/RogerMoore) dresses like a gaucho when riding in the pampa towards a Q lab hidden in a monastery (with the theme of ''Film/TheMagnificentSeven'', somehow).

The Gauchos are a national symbol in both Argentina and Uruguay. They became greatly renowned in legends, folklore and in literature and became a central point of their regional cultural tradition. They are traditionally depicted as brave, a bit lazy, free and [[PsychoKnifeNut violent]] folk that inhabited the pampas, with many similarities with the {{Cowboy}}, but very different at the same time.

The gauchos usually wore ''"ponchos"'', -long, thick blankets which doubled as a saddle blanket and as sleeping bag,- loose-fitting trousers called ''bombachas'' belted with "tiradores", and a chiripá, a type of loincloth. In the head, they often used a ''vincha'' (a type of bandana) or a medium-sized hat. The common gear was very similar to the military equipment of the montoneros, but lacking the spear. [[BattleBolas The bolas]] and the facón were very important as tools and weapons for the gaucho, as guns weren't very common yet. The bolas were the main hunter's WeaponOfChoice, as they can trap easily the legs of the prey, or knock them down by the mere impact of the hit, and the facón was the primordial weapon and tool for [[UtilityWeapon everything else]].

The Gauchos are a national symbol in both Argentina and Uruguay. They became greatly renowned in legends, folklore and in literature and became a central point of their regional cultural tradition. They are traditionally depicted as brave, a bit lazy, free and [[KnifeNut violent]] folk that inhabited the pampas, with many similarities with the {{Cowboy}}, but very different at the same time.

The gauchos usually wore ''"ponchos"'', -long, thick blankets which doubled as a saddle blanket and as sleeping bag,- loose-fitting trousers called ''bombachas'' belted with "tiradores", and a chiripá, a type of loincloth. In the head, they often used a ''vincha'' (a type of bandana) or a medium-sized hat. The common gear was very similar to the military equipment of the montoneros, but lacking the spear. [[BattleBolas The bolas]] and the facón were very important as tools and weapons for the gaucho, as guns weren't very common yet. The bolas were the main hunter's WeaponOfChoice, as they can trap easily the legs of the prey, or knocking them down by the mere impact of the hit, and the facón was the primordial weapon and tool for [[KnifeNut everything else]].

They are usually depicted as [[BarbarianLongHair long-haired]], [[ManlyFacialHair bearded badasses]] with tanned skin who raid the Pampas prosecuted by the law, or sitting in a ''pulpería'' (a sort of bar and general store) or a ''fogón'' (bonfire) drinking ''mate'' and playing the guitar. They may be represented both as noble, proud, tragic and free [[WarriorPoet warrior poets]]; or as hideous, treacherous and [[KnifeNut murderous]] ''"[[{{Bandito}} malevos]]"'', as opposed to to fair, gentle and well-mannered "European" heroes.

The Gauchos historically are very diverse, as they came from diferent regions and provinces of the Spanish colonies in South America. They are similar to the Chilean ''huasos'', the cuban ''guajiros'' and the venezuelan ''llaneros'', as they descend of Spanish commoners that went to the countryside and mixed with Indians (even the women of the gauchos are called ''chinas'' for the Indian eyes), forming the main ''native'' population of many lands. They were primarily cattle herders, hunters and soldiers, minor owners of the fields surrounding the small towns in the Southern Cone, specifically the Center and North of Argentina, the South of Brazil (Gaúcho is also the common denomination of the current inhabitants of the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul), Southern Paraguay and the entire Uruguay. They were superb horseriders and cattle herders, as their main possession is a horse.

After the civil wars, they became a problem for the modernization idealists, as they were the backbone of the provincial and rebel armies of the ''caudillos''. People like Sarmiento had a love-hate relationship with them, as they admired them by their horse prowess and bravery, and hated them by his [[HumansAreWhite "barbaric"]] looks and behavior. For the common folk of the 1880s, the Gauchos were ignorant, illiterate, murderous, lazy [[{{Bandito}} scumbags]], an anthem for their "civilized" and European views.[[note]]Later, when the gauchos were no more, the same good ol' oligarchy praised them as the national symbol against the ignorant, illiterate, murderous, and lazy European immigrants, that even dare to speak their own languages instead of Spanish! Not to mention communism.[[/note]] Obviously, the problem on what to do with the Gauchos had a [[FinalSolution solution]]. The Argentinian government sent them to the frontier as [[CannonFodder soldiers]] in the wars against the Indians while the Brazilian and Uruguayan governments sent them against Paraguay. Then, the Gauchos were replaced in the countryside by a large number of immigrants brought mainly from Italy, Spain and Germany.

They are usually depicted as [[BarbarianLongHair long-haired]], [[ManlyFacialHair bearded badasses]] with tanned skin that raid the Pampas prosecuted by the law, or sitting in a ''pulpería'' (a sort of bar and general store) or a ''fogón'' (bonfire) drinking mate and playing the guitar. They may be represented both as noble, proud, tragic and free [[WarriorPoet warrior poets]]; or as hideous, treacherous and [[KnifeNut murderous]] ''"[[{{Bandito}} malevos]]"'', opposing to fair, gentle and well mannered "European" heroes.

* ''Film/LaGuerraGaucha'' is an awarded 1942 Argentinian film based in the novel by Leopoldo Lugones.

* ''Film/TheWayOfTheGaucho'' is a 1954 "western" depicting an alternate version of Literature/MartinFierro, were TheHero deserts the Army and leads a group of bandits that attacks the railroad lords.

They are usually depicted as [[BarbarianLongHair long-haired]], [[BadassBeard bearded badasses]] with tanned skin that raid the Pampas prosecuted by the law, or sitting in a ''pulpería'' (a sort of bar and general store) or a ''fogón'' (bonfire) drinking mate and playing the guitar. They may be represented both as noble, proud, tragic and free [[WarriorPoet warrior poets]]; or as hideous, treacherous and [[KnifeNut murderous]] ''"[[{{Bandito}} malevos]]"'', opposing to fair, gentle and well mannered "European" heroes.

* In ''VideoGame/Hitman3'', they appear as part of the security detail in the fifth mission which set in an Argentinian vineyard.

The Gauchos play a nationalistic symbol in both Argentina and Uruguay. They became greatly renowned in legends, folklore and in literature and became a central point of their regional cultural tradition. They are traditionally depicted as brave, a bit lazy, free and [[KnifeNut violent]] folk that inhabited the pampas, with many similarities with the {{Cowboy}}, but very different at the same time.

The gauchos usually wore ''"ponchos"'', -long, thick blankets which doubled as a saddle blanket and as sleeping bag,- loose-fitting trousers called ''bombachas'' belted with "tiradores", and a chiripá, a type of loincloth. In the head, they often used a ''vincha'' (a type of bandana) or a medium-sized hat. The common gear was very similar to the military equipment of the montoneros, but lacking the spear. [[BadassBolas The bolas]] and the facón were very important as tools and weapons for the gaucho, as guns weren't very common yet. The bolas were the main hunter's WeaponOfChoice, as they can trap easily the legs of the prey, or knocking them down by the mere impact of the hit, and the facón was the primordial weapon and tool for [[KnifeNut everything else]].

The gauchos usually wore ''"ponchos"'', -long, thick blankets which doubled as a saddle blanket and as sleeping bag,- loose-fitting trousers called ''bombachas'' belted with "tiradores", and a chiripá, a type of loincloth. In the head, they often used a ''vincha'' (a type of bandana) or a medium-sized hat. The common gear was very similar to the military equipment of the montoneros, but lacking the spear. The bolas and the facón were very important as tools and weapons for the gaucho, as guns weren't very common yet. The bolas were the main hunter's WeaponOfChoice, as they can trap easily the legs of the prey, or knocking them down by the mere impact of the hit, and the facón was the primordial weapon and tool for [[KnifeNut everything else]].

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[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gaucho_1.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:"''[[ComicBook/InodoroPereyraElRenegau ¡Qué lo parió!]]''"]]

* El Gaucho is an Argentinian superhero related to Batman in Franchise/TheDCU.

* ''ComicBooks/ElCaboSavino'' is a gauchesque comic book created by Carlos Casalla in 1954. It portrays the "good" version of the Gauchos

* Maybe the most famous comicbook gaucho is ''ComicBook/InodoroPereyraElRenegau'', by the master Creator/RobertoFontanarrosa, an AffectionateParody of ''Literature/MartinFierro''.

* ''Literature/{{Amalia}}'', a long novel by José Mármol, depicted them as derangeus and treacherous murderers.
* ''Literature/{{Facundo}}'' is a work of the former Argentinan President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, that goes all {{Tsundere}} about his distant cousin Facundo Quiroga, a ''caudillo'' that leaded armies entirely composed by gauchos.

* Of course, the main archetype of the Gaucho is ''Literature/MartinFierro'', by Creator/JoseHernandez. Here, the gaucho is a victim of the cruel government, that sends him to the Frontier to fight [[TheSavageIndian the Indians]]. He later deserts and [[BerserkButton rages]] when he sees that his farm has been abandoned by his family, and spreads death to anyone that crosses his path.

* Ricardo Güiraldes' ''Literature/DonSegundoSombra'' plays a modern version of this trope. There, the unnamed protagonist is educated in the traditional ways by an ancient gaucho, working in an ''estancia'' (ranch).
* Many works of Creator/JorgeLuisBorges depicts gauchos as [[AntiHero antiheroes]], violent but noble folk.

[[folder:Film]]
* ''Film/LaGuerraGaucha'' is an awarded 1942 Argentinian film based in the novel by Leopoldo Lugones.
* ''Film/LaTierraEnArmas'' depicts the life of Martín de Güemes, a ''Caudillo'' and national hero of the independence wars, that leads an army of gauchos against the Spanish army.

* ''Film/TheWayOfTheGaucho'' is a 1954 "western" depicting an alternate version of Literature/MartinFierro, were TheHero deserts the Army and leads a group of bandits that attacks the railroad lords.

* ''El Fausto'' is a parody in which two Gauchos discuss Goethe's play ''Theatre/{{Faust}}''. HilarityEnsues.

After the civil wars, they became a problem for the modernization idealists, as they were the backbone of the provincial and rebel armies of the ''caudillos''. People like Sarmiento had a love-hate relationship with them, as they admired them by their horse prowess and bravery, and hated them by his [[HumansAreWhite "barbaric"]] looks and behavior. For the common folk of the 1880s, the Gauchos were ignorant, illiterate, murderous, lazy [[{{Bandito}} scumbags]], an anthem for their "civilized" and European views.[[note]]Later, when the gauchos were no more, the same good ol' oligarchy praised them as the national symbol against the ignorant, illiterate, murderous, and lazy European immigrants, that even dare to speak their own languages instead of Spanish! Not to mention communism.[[/note]] Obviously, the problem on what to do with the Gauchos had a [[FinalSolution solution]]. The Argentinian government sent them to the frontier as [[CannonFodder soldiers]] in the wars against the Indians while the Brazilian and Uruguayan governments sent them against Paraguay. Then, later they were replaced in the countrysides by the large amount of new population brought mainly from Italy, Spain and Germany.

After the civil wars, they became a problem for the modernization idealists, as they were the backbone of the provincial and rebel armies of the ''caudillos''. People like Sarmiento had a love-hate relationship with them, as they admired them by their horse prowess and bravery, and hated them by his [[HumansAreWhite "barbaric"]] looks and behavior. For the 80's generation, the Gauchos were ignorant, illiterate, murderous, lazy [[{{Bandito}} scumbags]], an anthem for their "civilized" and European views.[[note]]Later, when the gauchos were no more, the same good ol' oligarchy praised them as the national symbol against the ignorant, illiterate, murderous, and lazy European immigrants, that even dare to speak their own languages instead of Spanish! Not to mention communism.[[/note]] Obviously, the problem, like the Indian Question and the black people Question had a [[FinalSolution solution]]. The Argentinian government sent them to the Frontier as [[CannonFodder soldiers]] in the wars against the Indians, and the Argentinian, Brazilian and Uruguayan governments sent them against Paraguay. Then, later they were replaced in the countrysides by the large amount of new population brought mainly from Italy, Spain and Germany.

They are usually depicted as [[BarbarianLongHair long-haired]], [[BadassBeard bearded badasses]] with tanned skin that raid the Pampas prosecuted by the law, or sitting in a ''pulpería'' (a sort of bar and general store) or a ''fogón'' (bonfire) drinking mate and playing a guitar. They may be represented both as noble, proud, tragic and free [[WarriorPoet warrior poets]]; or as hideous, treacherous and [[KnifeNut murderous]] ''"[[{{Bandito}} malevos]]"'', opposing to fair, gentle and well mannered "european" heroes.

* El Gaucho is an Argentinian superhero related to Batman in Franchise/DCUniverse.

The Gauchos play a nationalistic symbol in both Argentina and Uruguay. They became greatly renowned in legends, folklore and in literature and became an central point of their regional cultural tradition. They are traditionaly depicted as brave, a bit lazy, free and [[KnifeNut violent]] folk that inhabited the pampas, with many similarities with {{Cowboy}}, but very different at the same time.

In the Independency Wars, and later in the Civil Wars, the most basic unit in the armies were cavalry composed entirely by gauchos, using the ''"montonera"'' tactic: a sort of horseback guerrilla, they swarm over an enemy army, strike and retreat faster than lightning. This tactic was a major drawnback for the "civilized" Spanish armies, that were unable to fight them. The typical ''"montoneros"'' were armed with lances or spears for charges, ''boleadoras'' (bolas) for ranged or melee attacks, and ''facones''[[note]]Long sheated knifes carried by a gaucho in his sash.[[/note]] for close-quarter fights.

The gauchos usualy wore ''"ponchos"'', -long, thick blankets which doubled as a saddle blanket and as sleeping bag,- loose-fitting trousers called ''bombachas'' belted with "tiradores", and a chiripá, a type of loincloth. In the head, they often used a ''vincha'' (a type of bandana) or a medium-sized hat. The common gear was very similar to the military equipment of the montoneros, but lacking the spear. The bolas and the facón were very important as tools and weapons for the gaucho, as guns weren't very common yet. The bolas were the main hunter's WeaponOfChoice, as they can trap easily the legs of the prey, or knocking them down by the mere impact of the hit, and the facón was the primordial weapon and tool for [[KnifeNut everything else]].

After the civil wars, they became a problem for the modernization idealists, as they were the backbone of the provincial and rebel armies of the ''caudillos''. People like Sarmiento had a love-hate relationship with them, as they admired them by their horse prowess and bravery, and hated them by his [[HumansAreWhite "barbaric"]] looks and behavior. For the 80's generation, the Gauchos were ignorant, illiterate, murderous, lazy [[{{Bandito}} scumbags]], an anthem for their "civilized" and European views.[[note]]Later, when the gauchos were no more, the same good ol' oligarchy praised them as the National symbol against the ignorant, illiterate, murderous, and lazy european immigrants, that even dare to speak their own languages instead of Spanish! Not to forget too the communism.[[/note]] Obviously, the problem, like the Indian Question and the black people Question had a [[FinalSolution solution]]. The Argentinian government sent them to the Frontier as [[CannonFodder soldiers]] in the wars against the Indians, and the Argentinian, Brazilian and Uruguayan governments sent them against Paraguay. Then, later they were replaced in the countrysides by the large amount of new population brought mainly from Italy and Spain.

This trope appears mainly in the South American literature, and depictions of the Southern Cone culture. Compare with the {{Cowboy}}, essentially the American equivalent of Gauchos. Contrast LatinLand and {{Mayincatec}}, for stereotypical views of Latin America.

This trope appears mainly in the South American literature, and depictions of the Southern Cone culture. Compare with the {{Cowboy}}, relate with ThePampas, and contrast with LatinLand and {{Mayincatec}} views of Latin America.

* ''ComicBooks/ElGaucho'' is a praised erotic story created by Creator/HugoPratt and Creator/MiloManara ocurring in Buenos Aires, in the context of the second British Invasion.
* ''ComicBooks/ElCaboSavino'' is a gauchesque comicbook created by Carlos Casalla in 1954. It protrays the "good" version of the Gauchos
* There are many comicbook adaptations of the ''Literature/MartinFierro''.

* ''Film/LaTierraEnArmas'' depicts the life of Martín de Güemes, a ''Caudillo'' and national hero of the independency wars, that leads an army of gauchos against the spanish army.

* In ''VideoGame/Hitman3'', they appears as parts of security detail in the fifth mission which set in an Argentinian vineyard.

[[quoteright:200:[[ComicBook/InodoroPereyraElRenegau https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/inodoro_pereyra_6468.gif]]]]
[[caption-width-right:200:The bravest gaucho ever.]]

The Gaucho is the archetypical character in the gauchesque poetry and fiction, a quintessential inhabitant of ThePampas, and a common stereotype of the Argentinian and Uruguayan peasant even today. In the simplest terms, a gaucho is merely a native inhabitant of the South Cone countryside, a common worker of the fields, maybe even a rural soldier or policeman. But in the early days of [[{{UsefulNotes/Argentina}} the revolution]], they became an archetype of the Argentinian character.

After the civil wars, they became a problem for the modernization idealists, as they were the backbone of the provincial and rebel armies of the ''caudillos''. People like Sarmiento had a love-hate relationship with them, as they admired them by their horse prowess and bravery, and hated them by his [[HumansAreWhite "barbaric"]] looks and behavior. For the 80's generation, the Gauchos were ignorant, illiterate, murderous, lazy [[{{Bandito}} scumbags]], an anthem for their "civilized" and European views.[[note]]Later, when the gauchos were no more, the same good ol' oligarchy praised them as the National symbol against the ignorant, illiterate, murderous, and lazy european immigrants, that even dare to speak their own languages instead of Spanish! Not to forget too the communism.[[/note]] Obviously, the problem, like the Indian Question and the Black people Question had a [[FinalSolution solution]]. The Argentinian government sent them to the Frontier as [[CannonFodder soldiers]] in the wars against the Indians, and the Argentinian, Brazilian and Uruguayan governments sent them against Paraguay. Then, later they were replaced in the countrysides by the large amount of new population brought mainly from Italy and Spain.

* In ''VideoGame/Hitman3'', they appears as parts of security detail in the fourth mission which set in Argentinian vineyard.