Jarocho

Jarocho was, historically, the horseman of the Veracruz countryside, who worked on the haciendas of the state, specifically those dedicated to the job of vaquero (cowherd) and everything related to cattle ranching. Jarocho was for Veracruz and its “Tierra-Caliente” (Hot Lands, coastal areas) what Ranchero or Charro was for the Mexican Highlands and interior of the country. Synonymous with vaquero, horseman and country man.

There are also several instances where the term appears without the explicit relationship with Veracruz or its inhabitants, appearing as a generic demonym for all rural inhabitants regardless of origin, a fact that would make it synonymous with Ranchero or Charro. The term was also used synonymously with mulatto and black people.

Nowadays the term has lost its original meaning as it is no longer related to cowboys, horsemen, ranching or country people. Currently “Jarocho” is used as a colloquial demonym for all inhabitants of the state of Veracruz regardless of their occupation, as well as an appellative term for anything related to said state.