Cowboys of Argentina and Uruguay are called gauchos in Spanish. These are men that live and work their whole lives on the open plains, or pampas, of South America. They have for many generations represented the liberty and romance of this harsh landscape. Although there are not as many of them as in the past they are still viewed as a strong national emblem of their respective countries.
Gauchos are easily identified by their traditional clothing which includes: sombreros with a wide rim, wide-legged pants called bombachas, handkerchiefs, leather boots and a large all-purpose knife worn on their low back called a facón. In the rainy season they also use heavy woolen ponchos. These cowboys are responsible for large numbers of cattle and can spend many hours in the saddle. To help maintain energy and warmth they drink yerba mate.
Yerba mate or mate, is a traditional drink found in some South American countries. Mate comes from a flowering shrub native to the area and has been consumed for millennia among the aboriginal peoples of this region. In places such as Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay it is still popular today. Similar in appearance to tea, mate is traditionally drunk out of a hollowed out gourd through a specialized metal straw called a bombilla. Mate leaves are used repeatedly throughout the day and hot water from a thermos is added to revitalize the drink. The resultant beverage is very strong in flavor and acts as a stimulant but without the typical highs and lows associated with caffeine. Mate also contains many minerals and antioxidants. The taking of mate is a social ritual in many South American countries and is associated with time shared among family and friends. Mate is now widely available in health food stores around the Vancouver area.
