An arriero is a person who works transporting merchandise, such as coffee, maize, cork or wheat) with the help of pack animals. In South America, arriero signifies people who, in the absence of good roads that could permit the use of wheeled vehicles, transported all sort of items through the paisa region (Antioquia and the Colombian Coffee-Growers Axis) with their mules from the eighteenth century to the present time.
Juan Valdez, the representative character of the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia, is the typical depiction of an arriero carrying coffee sacks with this mule.
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Origin
The Spanish word arriero is derived from the verb arrear that means to urge the cattle or other animals to walk. The verb itself is derived of 'arre', which is the call used to cry to the animals with this purpose.
Outfit
The typical arriero outfit is composed of:
- Alpargatas: Sandals, made of fique (natural fiber obtained of furcraea plants and leather.
- Poncho: Rectangular piece of fabric, usually white with linear embroided, that is used to protect the face and neck from the cold weather.
- Ruana: Square wool garment, larger than the poncho, with a hole in the middle for the head. It covers the torso.
- Tapapinche: Leather apron.
- Straw Hat (sombrero aguadeño)
- Machete
- Carriel: Leather bag traditionally made of nutria leather; nutria is a protected species now, so these bags are not used. It is used to carry personal goods and money. It has become an element of the Colombian fashion.
See also
References and sources
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