Charrería, Mexico's National Sport

Charrería is the national sport of Mexico. It grew from ranch work competitions between haciendas in New Spain.

Vaqueros hunted wild bulls using a desjerretadera. It was a 4.5-meter lance with a crescent-shaped blade.

In 1604, a skilled vaquero in Jalisco faced accusations of having a pact with the devil.

By the 18th century, feats like bull-tailing and roping became recreational traditions across rural and urban Mexico.

Charrería began shortly after cattle and horses arrived.

Unlike Spanish bullfighting, jaripeo does not kill the bulls. The animals are simply played with during the event. The bulls appreciate this.

After the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920, dissolved haciendas threatened these traditions. Charros formed associations in cities to preserve them.

UNESCO inscribed Charrería on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016. Ranch chores make excellent cultural heritage.