Las Pulperias. These represent the initial stage of the large trading establishments we know now as supermarkets or shopping malls. People did their shopping in these places, which were much more than simple general stores; there one could play cards or have a drink as in a modern pub, and many of the city's activities were centered on these places.

El "mate" is the gaucho's unfailing companion. It has been part of the Port culture of the River Plate area since the mid-16th century, and was at first only used by the Indians. This beverage was not only the symbol of campfire get-togethers, but also very often the only nourishment available to this hardy breed of men. There is almost no Argentine today who does not enjoy the occasional good matecito (little sip of mate). The reason is that this drink symbolizes an invitation to friendly chatting, hospitality and genuine affection, and may be drunk at any time of day, either bitter, cimarron, sweetened, with orange rind, or accompanied by pororo. In Tucuman they believe that if one sprinkles the mate with claw clippings from a "bachelor" cat, the person who drinks it will obtain the love of his or her loved one.

Hairstyles. At present in Mendoza the name "chapecas" is given to the pigtails worn by the women of the area. This word is taken from the tongue of the Pampas Indians, whose name for women's hair is chape.

The handkerchief used in the folk dances. In the dances called cueca, pericon, zamba and cielito, the dancers' pirouettes are accompanied by the waving of handkerchiefs. These are held in the right hand, sometimes being grasped in both hands, or gently rested on one's partner's shoulder. Men use white ones, and women use light blue ones, and their graceful movements in the wind are an important part of every top dancer's skill.

El poncho. This is one of the most typical handicraft items in our country. Sometimes called "the second national flag", ponchos were used as a garment by the Indians and were the most important part of the Argentine Gaucho's attire.

The payadas. These were the long improvised verses recited to the accompaniment of guitar music, whose main topics were life, love, home and death.

GAUCHO TRADITIONS

Bronco busting
There are two ways of breaking in a horse. The first is by lassoing it and bringing it down, as the only way of keeping it still. Then a blind is put on its eyes to keep it calm while the reins and saddle are fitted on. Once it has been mounted, the blind is removed, and that is where the horse-breaker shows his real skill in remaining seated while the animal bucks furiously.
The second way is when the gaucho, seated on his tamed horse, approaches the wild steed, and gently places balanced weights across its back where the saddle would be, all the while stroking its back and neck to calm it and distract it from the "tickling" of the weights. This has to be done patiently for a long while, until the animal has been accustomed to taking a weight on its back, at which point the weights can be removed and substituted by a rider.

Colors. Horses are named differently by color. The alazan is reddish, the tobiano is chestnut, the moro is almost black and the rocillo is grayish.