Poncho - Gaucho Costume, Argentina, circa 1965

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Summary:: Woolen Poncho from a Gaucho Costume, sent to Henry Pregal by his grandmother in Argentina, shortly after he had migrated to Australia, with his parents and sister in 1965. The family decided to leave Argentina because they saw Australia as holding more opportunity, and Mr Pregal, who was of Calabrian ethnicity, already had family members living here.

Gauchos made up the majority of the rural population on the South American plains in Argentina, Southern Chile, and Southern Brazil, during the 19th Century, making their living herding cows and practicing hunting. The typical gaucho outfit would include a woolen poncho, bombachas de campo (loose-fitting trousers), a boina hat and alpargatas (canvas shoes with a rope sole).
Description:: Brown woolen rectangular poncho with fringing. The poncho is decorated with yellow, red, green and white vertical stripes.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Mrs Martha Pregal, 1997

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	720 mm (Width), 950 mm (Length)

Tagged with:	argentinian communities, argentinian immigration, children s clothing, clothing, cultural identity, immigration, religions roman catholic, traditional costumes
Themes this item is part of:	Martha Pregal, Argentinian Migrant, 1965, Childhood & Youth Collection, Clothing & Textiles Collection, Migration Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
Primary Classification:	CULTURAL IDENTITY
Secondary Classification:	Ethnicity - Clothing
Tertiary Classification:	regional costume
Place Made:	Argentina, circa 1965
Place & Date Used:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1965-1985