Definition of La Pampa

The Pampa region is located in central Argentina and covers a large part of the territory of Uruguay and the Brazilian state of Rio Grande. It is a territory of large and fertile meadows and with a weather mild accompanied by periods of drought. Its name comes from the language Quechua, in which pampa means plain.

The geographical characteristics of this region make it an ideal territory for agricultural and livestock activities. In the Pampean area, cereals are grown for export and since colonial times there is an abundant cattle breeding. On the other hand, in this region there are large deposits of copper, metallurgical industry and hydrocarbon exploitations.

The region of the gauchos

La Pampa is the land of the gaucho, a whole symbol of the history of Argentina. Through the poem "El gaucho Martin Fierro" by José Hernández and the literature Gaucho of the nineteenth century we meet the archetypal man of the Pampa. The gaucho was dedicated to rural tasks and for this he moved like a nomad where there was work.

He is a lonely man, skilled horseman, lover of mate and guitar. Among Argentines, the character of the gaucho and the landscape of the Pampa are closely linked.

Features of the Pampean culture

From a gastronomic point of view we can highlight the Creole barbecue, the Pampean empanada or the filly roast.

Its current inhabitants are of very diverse origin and the population Creole or mestizo mixes with descendants of Irish, Jews, Spanish and Italians.

Musically, the Argentine Pampa is the cradle of the Tonadas and the Milongas, while the pericón, the malambo and the cielito are three typical dances of the region.

Linguistically, in the Pampa we find very particular terms and expressions: the pampero is a southwest wind, pampichuela is a diminutive of Pampa, throwing bread is equivalent to telling lies, the pechadores are Creole peasants who stand out for their skill like horsemen, a boche is a riot, the error is the red-hot iron marking of cattle, and a camanchaquero is a lazy and lazy operator.

In popular festivals, the Pampas dress emulating the old gauchos and wear pinched pants (batarazas panties), belts covered with coins (drags), ponchos, fabrics that are fastened like a sash (chiripá), a knife or alfajor on his waist and a fedora median.

Photos: Fotolia - 4440 / German Mosquera