Opinion: women challenge tradition in southern Brazil’s gaucho culture

In Porto Alegre, Brazil, ana c, a communicator and cultural producer, reflects on her experiences with the traditionalist “gaúcho” culture and the misogyny she encountered within it.

She grew up participating in Centro de Tradições Gaúchas (CTG), cultural centers, but left after a leader dismissed her and other women as existing only to be beautiful. This experience sparked a critical view of the movement’s patriarchal structures and the “single story” it promoted.

Ana details how the CTG, while offering community for young people, rigidly enforced gender roles, confining women to domestic tasks and judging them on appearance in “prenda” contests. She found resonance with artists like Clarissa Ferreira, who challenged the traditional image of the “prenda,” and joined a growing wave of women reclaiming gaucho culture. Inspired by this movement, ana became involved with Peleia Braba, a group of gaucha women across Brazil working to combat misogyny within their culture.

The group organizes discussions, supports artists facing discrimination, and advocates for equitable distribution of public funding for cultural initiatives, challenging the historical prioritization of CTGs over other artistic communities. They aim to build a more diverse, inclusive gaucho identity that recognizes the contributions of Black, Indigenous, and quilombolas communities.