Gaúcha

Gaúcha is the feminine form of gaúcho, a term commonly used to denote a person from Rio Grande do Sul, the southern Brazilian state. As a demonym, Gaúcha refers to the people of RS and to things associated with the state's culture. The masculine form is gaúcho; together they reflect the region's prominent ranching and pampas heritage.

Historically, gaucho culture developed among cowhands on the pampas of southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. It became a symbol of regional identity in Rio Grande do Sul, shaping music, dress, cuisine, and social norms. The Gaúcha identity blends Indigenous, Portuguese, and immigrant influences, with a regional character shaped by the pampas frontier.

Cultural aspects include traditional foods such as churrasco and chimarrão, and distinctive dress like bombachas; festivals and rodeos; music and folklore tied to the gaucho tradition. The interjection tchê is commonly associated with the gaucho speech.

In contemporary usage, Gaúcha appears in branding and media references in Rio Grande do Sul, notably Rádio Gaúcha, a major radio network based in Porto Alegre. The term also appears in newspapers and online platforms that emphasize RS identity.