Jaripeo

Bull rider at a Jaripeo in Colima, Mexico

Jaripeo (Spanish: [xaɾiˈpeo] (listen)) refers to events that take place in Lienzos charros or arenas in which spectators watch charreria. Consisting of horses, bulls and calves being ridden or lassoed. Jaripeos include food stalls, alcohol, raffles, regional music and bands. ^[1]

History[]

The word Jaripeo derived from the Purépecha language in Michoacán comes from Xarhipeo the name of a village in Michoacan. ^[2] Dating back to 16th century Mexico, Jaripeo was originally a form of bull fighting in which the rider rode the bull to death. ^[3] The Jaripeo later evolved to be seen as a test of courage rather than to just simply ride the bull to death. The new objective of this event is to ride the bull until it becomes tame and stops bucking.

Traditions[]

Prayer[]

Mexican rider doing a prayer before beginning his event.

At the start of a Jaripeo, oftentimes all of the participants and entertainers gather together while the announcer of the event recites a prayer called 'La Oracion del Jinete' which loosely translates to ' The RIder's Prayer.' This moment is the only time in which religion may be incorporated in the event and tends to be more common in Mexico than in the United States. This prayer is said to really clarify the line between life and death and serves as a reminder of how dangerous this event can be for the rider's. ^[4]

Las Reinas[]

'Las Reinas del Jaripeo' or 'The queens' are the feminine side of a Jaripeo event. Traditionally, las reinas were typically a group of three to four young ladies who recently turned 15 years old. Being a reina implicated social recognition and served as a way to present these young girls into society almost like how they do in a Quinceañera. Las Reinas enter on horseback wearing long, colorful, traditional mexican dresses, greeting the public while followed by about a dozen men on horseback. They do a circle around the arena before ultimately coming to a stop at the center where the Jinetes are then presented.

Jinetes[]

Jinetes are the main event at Jaripeos. They wear leather Chaps and overall bright attire. Jinetes are people, usually men, who do bull or horseback riding.

References[]