Today, the descendants of the original archetype, peons, foremen and farm and ranch foremen, troperos or reseros, tamadores and peasant singers, treasure the most endearing values of the gaucho: courage, country skills, horseback riding, frank hospitality and haughty gentleness.
In Uruguay, the gaucho is an important figure in national folklore as he symbolizes freedom and individuality. Poetic representations of the gaucho describe him as the ideal of bravery and independence. But beyond how he is presented in music, literature, and painting, this character constitutes an important symbol within Uruguayan culture.
He is the country man who works mainly herding cattle. In his stereotypical image, he is always accompanied by a horse, which, in addition to serving as a means of transportation, is one of the few material possessions associated with the gaucho way of life.
