Gauchito Gil

Definition

Gauchito Gil is one of the many bandit folk saints of Argentina, and his devotion is the fastest-growing in the country. Originating in the Northeastern province of Corrientes, his altars (in many sizes and shapes) are now found throughout the country.

Introduction

Folk saints are widespread in Argentina. Despite its self-image as a “catholic” and “modern” society, it is probably the Latin American country with the largest number of them. Although we lack comparative studies to positively assert this, folklorist Felix Coluccio’s classic book on the topic (1986) lists 62 santos populares. Most have only a local or regional presence, but some have gone national. During most of the twentieth century the most popular devotion was that of the Difunta Correa, a woman whose sanctifying miracle was to continue breast feeding her baby even beyond her death. In the last decade of the century, however, and most certainly in this one, Gauchito Gilhas by far surpassed her popularity....