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The exhibition focuses on clothing, craftsmanship and history. It will be on display at the Lane County History Museum beginning Saturday and running through most of March.
A woven belt with cactus fibers carefully threaded into leather to make intricate patterns, called piteado. An ornate cattleman’s outfit embroidered with gold-colored thread. A multicolor dress, telling the story of global cultural exchange in a mash of influences.
These pieces of finery from the Mexican equestrian practice of charrería are the focus of a traveling exhibit on view at the Lane County History Museum. The outfits and accessories were lent by Oregon charros — Mexican horsemen — to travel across the state and teach Oregonians about the history behind the tradition.
The exhibit, which comes to Eugene after a stop in Salem, is from Comunidad y Herencia Cultural, the local nonprofit organization dedicated to Mexican culture that hosts an annual summer Noche Cultural celebration in Springfield.
“It is especially important to share it and to encourage the younger generations to learn and experience and participate as a way of exploring their own identity, especially in the Eugene-Springfield area, which are predominantly white communities,” said Antonio Huerta, the director of Comunidad y Herencia Cultural.
“This is why we try to make an intentional effort in bringing this sort of information and knowledge into schools, so that Latino students feel represented in culture and language, but also for other students to take it as a learning opportunity,” he added.
A history told in finery
Charros and escaramuza charras — teams of women in charrería — wear particular outfits while roping and handling livestock from horseback, adding a formal layer of ceremony to the tradition.
Charros have different outfits for different levels of formality: el traje de faena for working outfits, and el traje de gala completa, the ornate crafted gala outfit. The exhibit includes examples of both, as well as two styles of escaramuza dress: the traditional outfit, with a tailor and embroidered vest and blouse, and la china poblana, a colorful dress with a mix of Indigenous, Asian and Spanish aesthetics.
The outfits include signs of the craft’s evolution from a purely functional agricultural practice to a more heightened practice after the Mexican Revolution. Huerta called out that evolution as the most fascinating part of the tradition’s history.
That includes the development of an accessory that’s inextricably linked to Mexican culture: the sombrero. The Spanish sombrero, Huerta explained, is much smaller, while the iconic Mexican sombrero developed a much wider brim to protect charros from the sun.
Building charrería awareness in Oregon
Huerta understands firsthand the value of education on charrería. He became a charro later in life; he grew up in a small village outside of Guadalajara, riding horses and roping donkeys and mules as part of everyday life. It was only after moving to the United States at age 20 that he become a full-fledged charro in San Diego, donning the traditional outfits and leaning into the cultural tradition.
Upon moving to Oregon in 2010, and finding a dearth of charrería outside of the Portland area, he started working to connect local charros and escaramuzas charras.
Now, in addition to the items on display, the exhibit features banners of local charros and escaramuzas, including both Huerta himself and children now learning the ropes.
Literature about charrería is another part of the exhibit, which Huerta called a rarity in the field. Though it’s a signature cultural tradition, he said, there is not much formal literature about the practice. That made including the texts he could find more vital.
“People participate in different aspects, but there’s a lack of understanding of the full picture, the full tradition,” he said.
Huerta also pointed to the current rise in immigration enforcement across the country as an important reason for both Mexicans and non-Mexicans to spend time appreciating charrería.
Allies can show their support, he said, and families can educate their children on their heritage.
“That is a very important part of who we are as people,” he said. “To be very proud of all of who we are, what we bring to the communities and do everything that we can to encourage our kids to engage with our own culture and maintain our language.”
How to see the Charro attire exhibition
The exhibition runs now through March 28 at the Lane County History Museum, 740 W.13th Ave., at the Lane Events Center. Admission to the museum is free, and it is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A grand opening for the exhibit is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m.
