Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WAY OF LIFE
The
gaúcho
way of life was originally a
nomadic one, with the horsemen wander-
ing the pampas, hunting wild cattle for
their hides. Working as cattle hands today,
gaúchos
still cling to many of the traditions.
Rodeos
, often lasting
several days, test the
skills of cattlemen,
serve as social events
for local townsfolk,
and help break the
isolation of rural
inhabitants.
Cattle drives
by
gaúchos
on
horseback are
common sights en
route to Rio Grande
do Sul's extensive
grassland regions.
DANCE & MUSIC
Dance performances are integral to social gatherings.
The music originates from a mixing of Portuguese,
Spanish, Basque, African, German, and Italian cultures,
with lyrics typically about local tales. Polkas and
marches form the basis of traditional
gaúcho
dance.
A colorful kerchief
is
part of a
gaúcho
's
typical dress.
Bombachas
, or
loose-fitting trousers
belted with a
tirador
(sash), are traditionally
worn by the
gaúchos
.
Accordion music
first
came to Southern
Brazil with Portuguese
colonists, but was trans-
formed by exposure to
other influences. The
accordion and acoustic
guitar are the most com-
mon folk instruments.
FOOD & DRINK
Meat, especially beef, is central to the
traditional
gaúcho
diet. While the
gaúcho
grill is legendary, rice, usually cooked with
charque
(jerked beef), is also a staple.
Pumpkin and other varieties of squash are
often incorporated into stews.
Chimarrão
, a
sugarless
chá mate
tea, is the
characteristic and most
popular drink of Rio
Grande do Sul. The
caffeinated herbal tea is
sipped through a
bomba
(a silver straw) from
a
cuia
(gourd). The
same
cuia
is generally
used by a group of
chimarrão
drinkers.
Churrasco
, barbecued beef popular throughout
Brazil, is cooked on metal or wood skewers rested on
a support or stuck into the ground, and roasted over a
charcoal or firewood flame.
