(21 Apr 1999) Spanish/Nat
Thousands have turned out in the Argentian capital, Buenos Aires to watch the 'cowboys of the pampas' show off their riding and dancing skills in a Gaucho Festival.
The festival was held in the city's oldest abbatoir, 'El Matadero'.
Horsemanship forms the backbone of the life of the Gaucho.
Living on the 'pampas' of Argentina and Uruguay, the traditional life of the Gaucho cowboy was a hard one.
Bringing up cattle, these proud people have survived the onset of modern farming techniques to keep their distinctive culture alive.
In Buenos Aires, thousands came out to watch the Gauchos at play at the 'Feria de Mataderos'.
This year's celebration was given extra importance because it is the 110th anniversary of the 'Mataderos' market.
The market is the largest abbatoir in the country, employing 4 - thousand workers.
22 - thousand cows are slaughtered here every day.
Up until 1918 it was possible to watch the killing of the animals.
The market is now a centre for Gaucho culture, with smaller festivals held here every Sunday.
The highlight for many visitors is watching the traditional 'carrear de la sortija' Race of the Ring.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"Well, the sport consists of letting go of a sharp point in a small circular ring. It is a tiny ring which you can only see when you are practically on top of it. With a point like this you push it through the ring and retrieve it. If you remove it successfully you have to lift your arm. If you don't lift your arm then the run doesn't count."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Gaucho
The Gauchos still rely heavily on the by-products of cows in order to survive.
They make and sell leather products, including whips and lassooes.
Many are sold at the fair.
Their culture was in its heyday between 1775 and 1875.
Modern farming techniques and the ever-increasing demands for beef and leather products have threatened their way of life.
But for this cowboy, they will always survive.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"We don't want to forget all of this. It is our tradition. It is of our people. It will continue to be ours."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Gaucho
Dressed in their traditional ponchos and cowboy hats, couples danced throughout afternoon on Sunday.
Their long, colourful scarves were originally worn to protect them from the prairie dust of the 'pampas'.
But there was no dust in the centre of Buenos Aires.
For many, the day was just an opportunity to sit back and enjoy a large beef steak washed down with a bottle of red wine - Gaucho style.
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