CHARRERIA'S HISTORY

Charreria: a legacy that was forged from livestock, commercial and military activity, marking Mexico's Economy and Culture. From its beginnings as a crucial economic activity to its transformation into an emblematic cultural expression and the national sport par excellence, the Charrería has been a fundamental pillar in the construction of Mexican identity and has left an indelible mark on the economic and cultural history of the nation. The Charrería Museum allows you to experience these six centuries that forged the nation.

Conquest of Mexico by Cortés Tenochtitlán Painting Author Anonymous - Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain

16th CENTURY

ARRIVAL OF THE HORSE IN MEXICO

The history of our equestrian tradition begins with the arrival of the Castellanos to Mexico, under the command of Hernán Cortés.

Originally published in Carl Nebel, Voyage pittoresque et archéologique dans la partie la plus intéressante du Mexique par C. Nebel, Architecte. 50 Planches Lithographiées avec texte explicatif, Paris: Chez M. Moench, imprimé chez Paul Renouard; 1836. 50 Planches Lithographiées avec texte explicatif, Paris: Chez M. Moench, imprimé chez Paul Renouard; 1836.

17th CENTURY

ROADS AND GOODS

In 1609, the viceroys had to definitively authorize the use of horses with saddles, bridles and spurs for mestizos to work on the large cattle ranches. In the 17th century, Mexico already had an extensive network of paved roads. There were carriages, people on horseback and endless lines of mule trains that, whipped and whistled by the muleteers, carried all kinds of merchandise.

18th CENTURY

COWBOYS AND CAPORALES

With the arriería, the exchange of cowboy customs and customs flowed in the rural immensity of Mexico, popularizing the type of rancher; some are peasants, who live on the haciendas as laborers, others are sharecroppers on the lands of the clergy, cowboys, caporales, mayorales, estacieros and hacendados (ranchers).

Altarpiece "La Independencia" Chapultepec Castle. Author: Juan O'Gorman National Institute of Anthropology and History http://mediateca.inah.gob.mx/

19th CENTURY

INDEPENDENCE

In the 19th century, with the independence, led by Hidalgo, with the popular insurgent force of Indians, mestizos and some viceroyalty troops, the united forces formed by lancers and dragoons taught the distiches their stubborn skills of lancers and dragons of the reata. To the united formed by lancers and dragoons, they taught the distichs their stubborn skills of lancers and dragoons of the reata, being then the beginning of the identity of the Mexican Creoles when defending their Homeland.

Francisco Villa Battle of Ojinaga 1914 - Mediateca INAH Archivo Casasola. All Rights Reserved

20th CENTURY

REVOLUTION AND THE NATION

In 1911, with the march of Madero, the century of the revolution began, with wide hats and a cartridge cross on his chest, in the peak periods of the revolution, Francisco Villa spent most of his time on horseback, which is why he was called El Centauro del Norte (The Centaur of the North).

21st CENTURY

INTANGIBLE HERITAGE UNESCO AND THE DIGITAL ERA

In 2016 the Mexican Charrería was declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO as: "Charrería, equestrian tradition in Mexico. Inscribed in 2016 (11.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." The digital age and social networks skyrocket the reach of Mexico's national sport to audiences around the world.