The Paisanos of the Ibera have survived for many generations in an intimate relationship with the land and waters of this beautiful ecosystem, making their living raising cattle and farming in family groups.
In Argentina, the name “Paisano” was originally used by Spanish and Italian immigrants to refer with affection to others who came from the same region or country as they were originally. Then people in some northeastern provinces, in particular Corrientes province, began using the name to refer to all people from the countryside who work and live on the land, growing crops or raising cattle. People from the rest of the country outside Corrientes might be tempted to call them “Gauchos”, but that name has a negative connotation here. It can be a bit confusing, as in most of Argentina being known as a Gaucho is a source of great pride.
Besides the Paisanos, there was once another small group of adventurous men who made their living from the wetlands, venturing deeper into the marsh to hunt Yacare Caimans and Capybaras to sell the skins and pelts. It was a harsh and challenging life with little reward, and usually meant being alone in the wilderness for weeks at a time. This life slowly dwindled away as the price of skins waned over the years, and ultimately ended when the Ibera Wetlands became protected as a nature reserve.
As the modern age approached, the numbers of Paisano families still living inside the Ibera was greatly reduced, and only a few exist today. Many changed their way of living and moved to small towns or land surrounding the Ibera, but all of them have worked to preserve their culture, traditions, and respect for the marsh as they pass along knowledge to new generations.
When we first arrived in the area with the intention of developing a new Dorado fishing program, we were lucky to meet and share unforgettable moments with Omar Rojas and his family. We were fortunate to experience these traditions of the Ibera first hand.
Below, you can watch an interview with Omar Rojas, a genuine Paisano, filmed by Rewilding Argentina (a project of Conservation Land Trust founded by Douglas Tompkins):
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