The cowboy culture is one of the most recognizable parts of U.S history, for Americans and foreigners alike. Even though the image of a cowboy is firmly cemented in people’s minds and pop culture, real-life cowboys had a lot more diversity in them than one could think. Looking at the entirety of the United States, each geographical location had its own peculiar cowboy culture, brought upon by a multitude of different factors. A particularly interesting example of such a phenomenon stems from the cowboys of Louisiana. Comprised of both British American and African American peoples, as well as native groups unique to Louisiana, they primarily spoke English and French (Owens). Living amidst a landscape that was abundant with woods, wetlands, and marshes, people had to adapt by crafting their horse-riding equipment accordingly, exemplified by the longer reins and specialized boots (Owens). Some of the cowboys also bred special ponies who could cope with the local climate better, thanks to their smaller hooves and body size (Owens).
Another interesting tendency that was prevalent in Louisiana is a passion for rodeos (Owens), an informal competition originating in Spain. Such events were organized as a way for cowboys to test their skills against each other, as well as find entertainment after a long day of work. Rodeos were, of course, not the only way of passing the time found in cowboy culture. Cowboys also spent their leisure time reciting poetry, holding auctions, and singing traditional cowboy songs and ballads (Owens). All in all, looking at the peculiarities of cowboy culture in a specific part of the United States can help one realize the diversity a stereotypical image of a cowboy can hold.
References
Owens, Maida. “Louisiana’s Traditional Cultures: An Overview.” Folklore in Louisiana, 1997. Web.