THE LEGENDARY GAUCHO GIL
Gaucho Gil. Courtesy of Wikepedia
Born in Pay Udder, near Mercedes, in the Province of Corrientes, around 1840 and was killed on 8 January 1878 , about 8 km from Mercedes.
With minor differences, there is more than one version on its history.
Most widespread version
Antonio Gil was a gaucho worker rural, worshipper of “Death Saint” who had an affair with a wealthy widow. This earned him the hatred of the brothers of the widow and the local police Chief, who had courted the same woman. Given the danger, Gil left the area and enlisted to fight in the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870) against Paraguay. After his return, he was recruited by the Autonomist party to fight in the civil war correntina the opposition Liberal Party, but it deserted. Since desertion was crime, was caught, hanging from his foot in a tree of “espinillo”, and killed by a cut in the throat. Gil told his executioner that you should pray on behalf of Gil for the life of his son, who was very sick; the executioner did so and her son miraculously healed. He gave Gil body a proper burial, and people who learned about the miracle built a sanctuary, which grew until today.
Take the tradition of wrapping with red flags or paint red the sanctuaries of worship Gauchito Gil, given it is the color that characterizes the autonomist party Of Corrientes Province.
Second version
Another version tells that Gil was an abigeo that congració with the poor. Recruited to fight in the War of the Triple Alliance, he defected and he was pursued. When captured him for the crimes he committed, a Commissioner was about to shoot under a tree, and Gauchito Gil said to him: «do not kill me, we will get the letter of my innocence». The Commissioner replied: ‘ as you will not save», and the Gauchito said: «When the Charter will receive the news that your son is dying because of a disease;» «When llegues reza by me and your son is going to save, because today you will be shedding the blood of an innocent». At that time was believed to be invoking the blood of an innocent miraculous. Arriving at his home in Mercedes, the Commissioner found his sick son, prayed for him on behalf of the Gauchito Gil and his son was healed. The Commissioner returned to where it was the body of Gauchito Gil and given burial.
Third version
Gauchito Gil headed a group of autonomist thugs who went from village to village plundering, robbing the rich (to give it to the poor) and killing all Liberal who crossed on their way. He was devotee of San La Muerte and said that it was impossible to kill shot. He was captured by a group of men of the Liberal Party and slaughtered close to Mercedes Corrientes.
Sanctuary and worship
Currently, the shrine built on the site of his tomb (located about 8 km from the city of Mercedes) receives hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year,[3] [4] especially on 8 January, anniversary of the death of Gil.
The cult of Gauchito Gil has been extended from the Province of Corrientes to the rest of the country, among other province of Chaco, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Mendoza, Buenos Aires province and even in the Federal Capital and Province of Tierra del Fuego.[5] Shrines of Gauchito Gil, characterized by having flags and red ribbons are also shrines throughout urban and rural roads of the Argentina. The faithful of the Gauchito Gil often also are of San La Muerte since its history is strongly linked to this one.
September 27th, 2012 at 12:32 am
Hi Tony, I hope the legendary Gaucho Gil takes care of you on the road and all of us
glad to see Nirvana back in action though I’d say she can be hard work to push along!!