The mantilla, that most unsanitary of
articles, with which all the women of Chile formerly draped their heads
and faces, and which had also the objectionable feature of giving them
a common and unattractive appearance, is fast growing into disuse, and
is being supplanted by more modern feminine headdress. The country
people are beginning to discard sandals for shoes, and in many ways
manifest a more progressive spirit.
A Chileno may appear upon the streets of a city in personal attire
the same as that prescribed for gentlemen in any country, but custom
in the country prescribes a different standard. A gentleman huaso,
well mounted and properly equipped, will have several hundred dollars
represented in his personal adornment and caparison, for he must appear
“a la moda del campo” (in the costume of the country). The cost of
the outfit of the average well-mounted Chilean gentleman farmer may
be calculated as follows: Horse, three hundred pesos; silver mounted
bridle and reins, seventy-five; silver mounted saddle, two hundred;
inlaid silver belt and knife, fifty; silver spurs, seventy-five;
poncho, fifty; hat, twenty; special riding suit, one hundred;
embroidered leggins, seventy-five; boots, twenty-five; watch and other
extras, two hundred; total, one thousand one hundred and seventy pesos,
equal to four hundred dollars United States currency.
RODEO.
One of the most exciting of the many peculiar practices indulged in by
the country people, and one which requires great skill and courage, is
the “rodeo” (method of managing wild bullocks in a corral, by men on
horseback). It is the Chilean Corrida, taking the place of the Spanish
bull fight, and is an inoffensive sport. A rodeo is an event of much
general interest, and is usually attended by large crowds of people,
friends and invited guests of the owner of the hacienda where it takes
place. Special and elaborate preparations are made, and the rodeo is
looked forward to with much interest, not only by those who take part
in the dangerous proceedings, but also by everyone favored with an
invitation or an opportunity to attend. The company first assembles
at the residence of the gentleman giving the function, where all the
specially invited guests and personal friends are entertained.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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