Talabartería, a traditional art, is a way of life that symbolizes our contact with the land through the leather accessories that have evolved over centuries of work. Charros (horsemen) and farmers need these accessories for their performances and everyday responsibilities. In talabartería, we make saddles with intricate details and designs; leather ornaments for sombreros; and other accessories including belts, ropes, boots, shoes, sandals, chaps, and straps. Many communities in Mexico, from cities to small towns, practice talabartería. In most cases, it is passed on from generation to generation; most practitioners learned it from family members or from masters as part of a full-time job.

Talabartería is part of my cultural heritage. I grew up in the town of Cocula, Jalisco, Mexico, also known as the cradle of mariachi. I remember walking to the center square on weekends and holidays to the melodic sounds of mariachi bands. Mariachi performers and charros alike wear belts, boots, sombreros and accessories that originated in the talabartería tradition.

I was fortunate to work for an hacendado (landowner) from whom I learned the basics of this tradition. Without knowing or thinking about it, I became enamored with Mexican horsemanship, cattle work, and leatherwork from a very early age. I must have been about 10 years old when the hacendado’s family took me in as one of their own children and allowed me to live at their house as long as I would help with the responsibilities of caring for the horses, cattle and livestock. Talabartería was one of those responsibilities.

I loved this lifestyle and, over time, I became competent at it. I would help by riding horses, I would help by moving cattle around the fields, and when saddles or other leather accessories needed repair, I would help fix them. Little by little, I got more comfortable using the different tools and equipment, until I could make my own accessories; mostly belts with simple designs.

Talabartería is important to me and my community because it is part of our cultural heritage. Leather accessories such as chaps, boots, sombreros and belts are iconic of Mexican identity. The tradition of talabartería is part of my lifestyle and upbringing and, since moving to the United States, I do the best I can to continue practicing it. It is especially meaningful to me because I want to encourage my son to learn about it and keep the tradition alive for generations to come.

Miguel has not received any awards or honors for practicing talabartería. However, many of the people for whom he has done work often come back to request additional accessories. This is a form of unofficial recognition from the charro community, and Miguel is appreciative of all their recommendations.