Tribute to the Brave Women of the Mexican Independence: Escaramunza
Tara A. Spears
In this month of national pride, women deserve to be celebrated for their contributions to the history of Mexico. Soldaderas, often called Adelitas, were women in the military who participated in the conflict of the Mexican Independence 1910.
The modern rodeo event, escaramuza, pays tribute by illustrating an important story about the role of Mexican women, since both Charrería and Adelitas were born during the time of the first movements of the revolution. After hundreds of years working on ranches, the women were tough and were able to participate in the struggle for independence by being at the front in battle, riding horses and wearing the traditional clothing of the time.
This group of women, soldaderas, (though that term was not used at the time,) were largely overlooked for their contribution to the fight for independence in history books. These women joined the troops, often with children in tow. Their role was not marginal but essential, for they fed and clothed the soldiers and nursed the sick and injured. Historical evidence suggests that the soldaderas comprised one third of the insurgents in any given battalion and yes, they fired rifles, too. While the historians generally underplayed their importance, more than a hundred years later, modern Mexico culture celebrates the bravery and skill of its women through escaramuza performances.
While the Mexican rodeo- Charrería -is the National sport, it is the women’s event that has the most pageantry and color. In the escaramuza event, costumed women in teams of eight perform by riding in precise and daring maneuvers while using a sidesaddle with traditional musical accompaniment. Young women, the Adelitas or charras, form mounted drill teams of eight called escaramuzas (the skirmish). An escaramuza performs high-speed precision patterns riding sidesaddle while demonstrating bravery, equestrian skills, teamwork, and femininity.
It was not until the 1950s that women began to participate in charrería, which gave rise to the escaramuza that we know today: groups of between eight and twelve women, dressed in beautiful adelitas or chinas poblanas dresses, while riding with impressive coordination to traditional Mexican music.
The required composition outfit consists of: typical clothing for skirmishes consists of a huge, embroidered hat, boots, a spur on the left side, a cotton dress, crinoline, rebozo (fringed narrow shawl that is tied around the waist, hair bow, staff, reins, and the side saddle with a chest ban. The team will wear the same colors.
Being a group presentation, the escaramuza charro is an exciting equestrian demonstration. Seeing how the women manage to coordinate their horses for patterned movements at high speed throughout the ring, while wearing typical Mexican colonial costumes, it’s beauty in motion for the spectators. There is a lienzo charro (large bull ring) in south La Penita one block from the ocean.
As one would imagine, escaramuza practices are intense, since the people who participate must be able to control their horses flawlessly. In addition, they must practice their patterned routine because in the actual event even the slightest error can lead to serious accidents. Charra skirmishes have been considered part of the sport since 1989, the year in which specific regulations were created for them.
What she wears: The typical clothing for skirmishes consists of a hat, boots, a spur on the left side, a dress, crinoline, rebozo, hair bow, staff, reins and the saddle. The team costume (Adelita and ranchera) can only be used in skirmish competitions, presentation contests, social, cultural and official events such as the revolution parade.
The charro festival is one of the most Mexican celebrations and can be enjoyed in almost any state in the country.
The escaramuza is a proud representation of Mexican traditions. Due to the public fascination for these women riders and their incredible ability on horseback, the escaramuza has become one of the most popular elements of the charreada and a worthy representative of Mexico’s national sport, charrería. Don’t miss an opportunity to see one!
