Long before Columbus discovered the Americas, the people of Mexico used horses as instruments of war and in various political and social ceremonies.

In those days, horses played a key role in the early successes of the Spanish conquistadors' conquering of Mexico. They made it a law during their 300-year reign that the Indians of Mexico could not own, ride or use horses in any way and if they broke this law they were put to death.

The criollos (cree-OH-yohs), Spanish men born in Mexico, adapted stylized attire traditionally used by the bullfighters who fought bulls on horseback, to create their own "uniform."

These men who followed the way of the horse also made a ritual of idolizing women when they were in the public and added aspects of the etiquette of the matador in their behavior.

They became master horsemen, very stylishly skilled at roping, riding, bull throwing and hitting targets with lances while riding at full speed.

Those men that followed this fashion and lifestyle came to be known as charros (CHAH-rohs), which means "horsemen."

By the time the revolution of 1810-1821 ended the Spanish rule in Mexico, many of the charro traditions established by rich Mexican-born Spaniards had influenced what was the criollo society and the attitudes and behavior of majority of the population known as the mestizo, mixed-bloods.

In the 1600s the charros also became role models for North America's first cowboys, known as vaqueros (vah-KAY-rohs). They set the style associated with ranching in general.

The traditions of the charros survived the civil war of Mexico in 1910-1921 and are still in existence today.

Charros participate in festivals, parades and other public events, and are known for their civic efforts.

The term charro is sometimes mistaken as "cowboy," but it is important to know that the first cowboys in the American Southwest, were Mexican vaqueros, who were there long before the United States became a country. All that is a part of the American West's cowboy legend, is said to have originated from the charros and vaqueros.

Now for a Spanish lesson:

When you want to say what time it is: "It is 9:00 a.m./12:00 noon/5:30 p.m./1:00."

You would say: "Son las nueve de la mañana/son las doce del mediod'a/son las cinco y media de la tarde/es la una."

Hasta la proxima semana! Until next week!