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A vacher is a pastoral worker, typically on horseback, who tends to livestock in the interior of Asteria Superior. The term specifically relates to a tradition introduced to the Asterias from southern Euclea which was later introduced to Cassier by Luzelese herders known as vaquerios. Gaullicans, Metis, and Cassiens adopted many of the vaquerios' techniques and practices in order to suit the cooler terrain and climate of the North Asterian Plain, before going on to develop their own traditions and styles of equipment, clothing and animal handling.

As an occupation, vachers are typically responsible for carrying out tasks related to herding cattle, ranching, and homesteading. Beginning in the late 19th century, works of literature, art, and entertainment have instilled a highly romanticized image of vachers within popular imagination, especially among urban audiences. This has resulted in the perpetuation of many stereotypes and misconceptions about their lifestyle and their role within Cassien history.

Etymology

Vacher is derived from the Gaullican word vauche, meaning “cow”, which itself originates from the Solarian word vacca. It is directly equivalent to the Luzelese word vaqueiro.

History

Origin

The vacher tradition itself is an amalgamation of various forms of Euclean ranching brought to the New World in the colonial era. It has roots within the fazenda system of Paretia, which was introduced to the Asterias in what is now the Asterian Federative Republic during the 15th and 16th centuries. The interior of Asteria Superior possessed many similarities to flatlands in Euclea, and was found to be suitable for ranching cattle. The sparse vegetation and arid nature meant that a large amount of grazing land was required in order support herds of livestock with great enough numbers to be profitable. As a result, herders working for fazendas and Solarian missions adopted the use of horses to cover the distances necessiary to support their herds. This, in conjunction with other practices were imported from Euclea, such as the the use of light weight equipment, ranching tools and techniques, led to the emergence of the vaqueiro tradition.

The expansion of other Euclean powers into the Asterian interior resulted in an intermingling of practices and techniques with those of the vaquerios. Beginning with Gaullicans traders in the early 1700s, aspects of vaqueiro termology and lifestyle were gradually adopted by Gaullican and later Cassien herders and settlers in the region.

Emergence

Following the Asterian War of Secession, the number of Gaullican-speaking settlers in Beaumont and Katepas began to rise sharply. The construction of water routes and railways throughout during the 18th century during Cassier's Era of Optimism made the interior more accessible for Euclean settlers. Increasingly able to access to Cassier's western provinces via canals and railheads, vachers were able to drive herds cattle from ranches located hundreds of kilometres away.

By the 1880s, the demand for beef in the Asterian market had risen dramatically. In an effort to meet this demand, the Cassien cattle industry experienced a period of rapidly growth and expansion. As a result, many vachers expanded northeast into Montagne, which marked the northernmost terminus of the Asterian interior. These grasslands were substantially colder than those found further south however, forcing vachers to adapt their to increasingly difficult ranching conditions found in western Montagne.

Vachères

Although less-documented than their male counterparts, vachères; are also known to have worked in a similar capacity to their male counterparts during this period.