Vaqueros | Meet the real cowboys of California

Director Blake Myers crafts a portrait of the Spanish and Mexican cowboys of #California, known as #vaqueros, in this new documentary film. Captured through the stories of locals, this visual poem shows the modern side of a centuries-old culture preserved through generational traditions.
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[@patrickburgess1107]

I can’t stop watching this vid. THIS, is the California you rarely see represented, in the media.

[@Sean-bz8ri]

Wish California had kept its vaquero/country roots. But Hollywood sorta ruined that. Nowadays, Texans can freely larp like cowboys unfortunately

[@compaovi8374]

@@Sean-bz8ri all it takes is a short drive out to the central valley to see the Vaquero culture alive and well

[@andresmora5192]

The Cowboy👢🐴 culture has its origin in northern Mexico 🇲🇽 The creators of this art were the Mexicans, (not the US-Americans) the modern Cowboy was born in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, then the Mexicans raised cattle in the current area of Texas, when it was Mexican territory, before the annexation to the United States , the lifestyle, work, clothing, dance, were immediately imitated by the US-Americans, after the annexation of the territory of Texas. California also had skilled men on horseback, according to Richard Henry Dana, who wrote a book about that region in 1840 when it still belonged to Mexico. As described: When they make long trips, they ride one horse until they get tired and grab another, go over the support and bridle and, after running off the animal, take a third and so on until the end of the trip. There are no better cowboys like the Mexicans in the world.

[@georgeskanderbeg3242]

Cowboys come from 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@jas9020]

Spain brought horses and cattle Mexico made the vaqueros in other word the cowboys.

[@Sean-bz8ri]

@@georgeskanderbeg3242 If you wanna get that technical. Cowboys came from the Arabs who introduced horsemanship when they controlled Spain for several centuries lol

[@Sean-bz8ri]

Vaqueros have their origins raising and herding cattle in the Alta California territory, not Texas...

[@georgeskanderbeg3242]

@@Sean-bz8ri horsemanship?? Spain had horsemanship 900 years before Arabs came...

[@jamesstadtler1537]

Fantastic! I showed this film to my middle school student to be aware of culture in Los Angeles and America. Because of this important documentary, my students have a sense of pride for where we live and the respect of the culture of the Vaquero. Thank you

[@two9s649]

MEXICANS ARE THE OG COWBOYS FROM CALIFORNIA

[@d_avocado0213]

Californios not Mexicans

[@kombijr]

@@d_avocado0213 what were they before dmbass? 😂

[@nataliemanzo34]

@@d_avocado0213that’s like saying tejanos were not mexicans lmao😂

[@MariaGasca-Reyes]

​@@d_avocado0213 California is a Spanish Term And it's actually Los Californios Yes white people Mexicans have always been here before your ancestors came from new England The Aztecs were originally from Utah And migrated to Mexico

[@jaypay8954]

@@d_avocado0213 You do realize California was part of Mexico before the Mexican-American war. You should have been taught that is school bro. Cowboy culture does NOT come from California it comes from Mexico. and spread out to the other states that belonged to Mexico like California, Texas and New Mexico.

[@cwcobo]

I'm so glad to see that there are those who keep this art, lifestyle, and tradition alive. I appreciate that the vaquero/cowboy culture celebrates what a man can do (and how he handles himself), and not what he owns. Viva los Californios.

[@P1MPST1K]

As someone from the northern US, it’s very interesting to me how such a big part of our culture ties us much closer with Mexico than Canada. Despite the wide cultural and especially linguistic gap. 🇺🇸🤝🇲🇽

[@Itzpapalotl.]

Let’s not get it twisted we’re all very different cultures and that’s okay

[@eliorocha10]

Mexico had 3 types of Cowbows (vaqueros). The northern vaquero that originated in Chihuahua and northern states (Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Tamaulipas) and Texas. This is the vaquero that the American Cowboy learned and originated from. The Charro which was the high class vaquero, right hand of the "patron" the hacendado. They will wear a wider felt sombrero and a more elegant clothing, They originated in central Mexico, states of Hidalgo, Zacatecas, Jalisco, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, etc and finally the Californio. The vaquero from the far Baja California peninsula, Sonora and la Alta California. They had a more tradional spanish influence and that can bee seen in the clothing but at the end, their own Mexican culture. I dont think californios exist nowadays. They disappeared short after the American anglo invasion. There are some still in Baja California and Sonora, they dont use the same tradditional attire as in the old ways (at least not too often from what I have seen) or the flat brim sombreros but still ride with chaparreras "chaps" and mulas "mule" as in the old way.

[@Batmayne21]

Hell yeah, I’m glad people like you know that the vaquero culture is 100% Mexican.

[@TightwadTodd]

@@Batmayne21 And you would be incorrect..Its Spanish culture that was brought to America and it was later taught to indigenous people and later euro people and the traditions became distinct in the different regions..California/Nevada,,Florida,, Hawaii,,Central and South America,,,all have basis in the Spanish tradition but vary in how they were developed to suit their needs..

[@TightwadTodd]

And everything in this Video,is of Charro tradition,that came to California,long after the Vaquero tradition,developed in California..The Californio,were Ca natives that worked the Ranchos and were given Spanish Names when converted to Catholicism and improperly labeled as Mexicans..

[@eliorocha10]

@@TightwadTodd you don't know much history do you? They were Mexicans because they were born or were from México (natives, mestizo and criollo). California was México until the anglo came up with the bright idea to start a war and steal the land. I don't really want to go all over educate someone over the internet. I recommend you read some books. Avoid american books, they teach you want they want you to learn. Sugar coating lies.

[@TightwadTodd]

@@eliorocha10 No,,Actually i do know MY history and didnt learn it from some book on the subject,but from several generations of the culture handing down the history..You see i dont need to research it,As it is my Family history and the Californio did not disappear,it just became the Buckaroo culture and moved north,to the large Ranches,in the great basin...At the time the Californio was developed,Mexico was still New Spain,,and California was a territory of Spain,,so maybe you need the education..

[@carolcambray1112]

This film was absolutely so crispy, refreshing, and beautiful to watch. Everything about this was beautiful. I loved the ending too! Amazing shots, sound, music and transition. So perfect

[@yuisanjoaf3804]

This felt so nostalgic for some reason. Beautiful

[@werewolfhunter2011]

Its the camera they used

[@vaca493]

La selección musical del final es bastante nostálgica y las tomas del ocaso son perfectas. Me hace recordar de cuando visitaba la casa de mis abuelitos cuando era niño

[@coindetable8543]

Pienso lo mismo! Por si conoces esta canción, puedes darme el título por fa? :)

[@arafatansari9548]

Cow boys style & passion towards horse is something that makes me fascinating and also happy .i would like to do something like that. (Horse riding.) 😄 Love and respect from India.

[@sanpedroez3367]

I really enjoyed this, thanks

[@crazylife4543]

We mainly have quarter horses for their stockier more agile build n for work/more physical events. But I love the grace of a well bred n worked andaluz

[@Iamsolcosta]

Please someone tell me the name of the song in the end of the video❤

[@calikid2139]

Rodrigo de la cadena - ocaso

[@menomisespeanut]

@@calikid2139 Thank you!

[@Ruisumi_migeru]

Oh que preciosidad el caballo español....y bonito traje andaluz 😍

[@crazylife4543]

When he says spanish horse I assume he means andaluz (Andalusian) right? Edit: oh i think maybe he says spanish horse because alot of people might not know what the Andalusian breed is by name, but know the characteristics of one

[@zovalentine7305]

Thank you for this history 🌟 🐎 🌟 🔖 🌟 🤠 🌟

[@seanolsen4678]

Just magnificent

[@Alvinobeat27]

Mexican Nobel prize Octavio Paz, analyzes the vast cultural legacy of the Moorish culture left in Spain; Charrería itself decends that.

[@emfegmfeg7100]

Yea, some horse riding techniques and equipment was brought to Iberia by the Arabs.

[@theuberman7170]

Yes so many things.

[@estrellasboxisticas6360]

Man.This is not originally from Arabs,because vacas and horse dont live in deserts and Arabian península is a desert. Arabs learn everything from Roman and Persian. Spain was and its a Roman nation and culture still today. Spain is a territory of horse and vacas and tarros before the world know the Arabs.

[@Alvinobeat27]

@@estrellasboxisticas6360 Never said anything about cows, but you obviously not prepared to talk about this. I meant the character and quality traits.

[@Alvinobeat27]

@@estrellasboxisticas6360 And occidental riding techniques were completely revolutionized after their encounter with Easter civilizations, such as the mongols, which in turn passed down to Turks and the rest of the middle east.

[@makeitrain113]

Mexican vaqueros are legendary

[@coindetable8543]

Beautiful! What's the last music's name please? I really love it

[@calikid2139]

Rodrigo de la cadena - ocaso

[@coindetable8543]

@@calikid2139 thank you! 😊

[@marksanders2168]

VIVA LA HISPANIDAD 💯👍

[@MariaGasca-Reyes]

Nope Viva Mexico

[@marksanders2168]

@@MariaGasca-Reyes HISPANIDAD

[@clayreynolds5502]

Where is this in California I would like to go and watch

[@tiffanyemarkovich7490]

❤❤

[@touge_over_track1895]

These are known as charros which is one of the kind of horse cultures I grew up to know. But even a true charro will tell you that only cowboys work the land and work with cattle and other livestock on the backs of their horses. In my small town of Oak view there are real cowboys there who’ve worked cattle and the land for more than 4 generations. So I guess the title should be the Real Charros of California.

[@robertotrevino9737]

pretty bad a$$ video! I was a little reluctant to watch but very glad I did! I will be saving it on a playlist! Thank you

[@vaqueritof7565]

spaniards? yes but alot of the first rancheros in California where Mexican Born!(new world)

[@TightwadTodd]

No,They were Spanish Born by the Padres and Spanish military elite by land grants from Spain,in reward for their service..

[@vaqueritof7565]

@@TightwadTodd do you prefer to imagine the vaqueros as white? I see that a lot in American literature & I think its the funniest thing. most vaqueros by far where mestizos half native& half spanish . the first land grants in Alta California where men born in Sonora Sinaloa, Chihuahua of course sons of military men and such but non the less Born in old Mexico (New Spain)

[@TightwadTodd]

@@vaqueritof7565 No,, and Never said that Either...While those Recipients of Land Grants may have been Born in "Mexico",,Lets not posses any delusions of Grandeur either..They were"White" of Spanish blood and established nobility...Any "Mestizos serving in the Military,during that period,were not of the Noble Class and were certainly not awarded any Land grants By Spain....Mestizos in New Spain,were not held in such regard,nor afforded any of those luxuries,any more than they were in California,before it became Mexico,and when all this started...Racist you say???? Yes,,,,but it is a fact of life and history,like it or not and disregarding and distorting it,leads to misunderstanding and untruth...Apparently,,you did not read the exchange of posts i had with another regarding this..

[@wayne47able]

It was also the indigenous who perfected roping, techniques for breaking horses, and invented the saddle horn, Which was not seen in Spain at all until the vaqueros came to California

[@slrdf1758]

Los primeros vaqueros aquí eran del Norte de España, por ejemplo José Antonio Yorba I que era de Galicia.

[@oscarmaoricio1365]

¡órale!

[@raidennaz1590]

Raul Tejada

[@josepichardo852]

This title needs to be changed. ASAP! it should be The US Cowboy meet the Legendary Mexican Vaqueros.

[@icu1585]

When teaching the horses to dance in place they beat the horses legs with a stick. 💫 Look it up.

[@vaquero7072]

These are charros not vaqueros there is a difference . I have nothing against charros I admire the style and culture but it’s a different culture then the vaquero.

[@johnnykimberlin]

everybody has their culture for horsemanship. This is not VAQUERO(SOUTHERN CALIFORNIO). This is Charo. HUGE DIFFERENCE

[@heatherallan2695]

he forced u say no

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Having the horse dance is stupid. It is a master/slave relationship.

[@alfredoguerrero]

Spanish? WTF? Spanish influence is there but it’s our own now with a mestizaje, culture, music, food, lifestyle

[@ebastian9598]

Yes spaniard were the first cowboy and most Mexican decent from them

[@alfredoguerrero]

@@ebastian9598 did you even watch the video? I didn’t see to many Spanish in the video..I saw most mestizos with more Indian blood than Spanish blood..

[@AntoineM1312]

Does it matter? The point is that its part of Hispanic culture and that's something to be proud of. Non-hispanics have tried to steal our culture and claim it as their own and that's the real issue.

[@ahupuozgygozh7406]

@@alfredoguerrero There are no mestizos with Indian blood There are no mestizos with Spanish blood They all have Mexican blood There was no relationship between them and the Indians Mexicans They are the Mexicans

[@BrandonPerez-ob7hs]

Well Mexicans are Spanish they are mix of indigenous and Spanish blood Hispanic ARE considered WHITE

[@heatherallan2695]

why do u treat your horses like that forcing them

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

charros are not vaqueros

[@maximomartins5323]

Los charros hacen lo mismo que los vaqueros 🤦 estudia

[@maximomartins5323]

No sabes ni vrgas

[@solarred1520]

It was not just Mexico and California foo , it was all Latin America , it was called new Spain even Hawai. The word Mexico comes from the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the Mexicas, or also known as Aztecs. The etymology of the word 'Mexico' has been widely discussed as there is no definitive proof about its sole origin

[@jaypay8954]

Mexican taught Hawaiians how to use vaquero(cowboy) gear. And no the Mexican vaquero and Charro are ONLY found in Mexico. News spain was Mexicos old name before independence.

[@johnfoster4356]

Wrong! The California vaquero traditions started in places like LA under the Spanish and Mexican flags. Those traditions live on today practiced mostly by white cowboys in cattle ranches in California. What they show here is Mexican charro tradition practiced by newer arriving Mexican immigrants. These people are urban dwellers and are week end horse enthusiasts The video is very inacurate

[@jaypay8954]

No its from Mexico NOT from Texas or California. Mexico national sport is the rodeo dude. And its a UNESCO world heritage protected. Americans immigrants moving into Texas were taught by Mexicans how to use the gear like lasso and chaps. The spanish do NOT have vaquero tradition Mexico does. California was part of Mexico before the Mexican-American war you should know this they teach it in school to everybody.

[@johnfoster4356]

@@jaypay8954 Read my comment. "The Californio tradition started in places like LA. " They teach that in school too GENIUS

[@jaypay8954]

@@johnfoster4356 Of course we all KNOW that AMERICANS just copied the vaquero which is now "American Cowboy" However California is not known for cowboy culture TEXAS is. And for your info CHarro and vaquero are different but in this case AMericans seem to have no charro they just call it all Cowboy. Mexican rodeo is a UNESCO heritage protected and is Mexicos national sport. Mexicans been living in California before Americans ever did Americans just stole everything from the Mexican states and the vaquero identity.

[@johnfoster4356]

@@jaypay8954 California is known for cowboy culture. Only people who have limited knowledge of this subject think its only Texas. Also, Americans didnt copy the Mexican Vaquero, They were taught by them. Read more then you will actually become intelligent and not just regurgitating what you have read

[@jaypay8954]

@@johnfoster4356 They were taught, copied, stole whatever they appropriated and culturally appropriated Mexican culture and lifestyle and on top of that stole Mexican land. It all goes in the same bag at the end of the day.

[@vizslaerick8850]

👎commercials

[@calinfus80s]

I see some charros and escaramuzas and they're not vaqueros in the same cultural sense than northern mexicans

[@maximomartins5323]

Ambos tienen el mismo origen