Aldana Marquez, Beatriz (2017-06). Keeping Rural Tradition Alive: The Race, Class, and Gender Dynamics of the Modern Charro Community. Doctoral Dissertation.
Thesis
The Charro tradition is the national sport of Mexico. Yet, its national recognition is limited even though the Charro tradition has influenced other important Mexican and American cultural symbols such as the mariachis and even the American cowboy. I conducted an ethnographic study (2013-2015) in Mexico on the Charro community to assess their cultural adaptability in a changing Mexico. The figure of the Charro serves as the personification of centuries of culture and tradition as it is displayed through their body comportment and clothing, as well as the behaviors, mannerisms, and adherence to the norms that are unique to this subculture. Charros perform suertes or events as a team to gain points in front of judges during Charreadas or competitions to pay homage to early Charros. The judgment is strict and points can be deducted for incorrect techniques, clothing, or form which is indicative of the continuous standardization by the Federation of Mexican Charros. Charro women (Escaramuzas) perform a ten-minute routine of synchronized horse dancing to traditional Mexican song and are judged on their grace, elegance, and presentation. Although men and women both participate in the Charro tradition, emphasis is placed on men since their presence in the Charro tradition originates from its inception. The following chapter use the theories of Thorstein Veblento analyze the race, class, and gender dynamics of the Charro community in relation to a changing Mexico.
