Montero
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Montero (Isbellan: [Montˈkeɾo]) is a ranching culture originating from Isbella but extensively developed in Elaklania from the 1700s onwards to the modern day. Monteros were highly associated with social banditry in Elaklania during the mid 1800s and early 1900s, while Montero’s were generally considered poor and uneducated for most of their existence they have since been mythologized as hero’s of the poor by romantic literature.
Monteros usually only habit the two states of Gran Norte and Flores, as they are the most geographically sound for livestock with them holding the largest parts of the Flores Great Plains and Calmio Desert.
Etymology
The word Montero derives its meaning from the Isbellan word Monte which means mount but also refers to any desolate or rugged place. Its exciplict origins are unknown but it is surmised that it was meant as an insult for ranchers and poor villagers in the northern states of Elaklania.
History
Arrival to Cesylle
Around 1540s only a few years after the official colony of Elaklania had begun frontiersmen ventured into the westward plains where no Isbellan civilization existed. These frontiersmen would set up farms all to themselves in the future states of Gran Norte and Flores, they are most likely the main origin point of the Montero tradition as their main source of income would be herding livestock.
While this is the main origin point there is also the appearance of mixed Isbellan-Elawe communities around this time, they also participated in ranching and may have been a contributing factor in the negative association of the word in its early usage.
The word would first officially appear in a government census on the population of the colony which would list all the people outside of any major settlement but still within the borders of the colony as a Montero.
Under the new republic
Montero life would not change much after independence and the second revolution though they would make up a large portion of cavalry forces during both conflicts making them proportionally have a higher number of veterans than the average communities in the country.
While life didn’t change at first as the new republic began to fall into a cycle of corruption the Monteros were targeted by wealthy businessmen who sought their ancient lands. The Monteros in most cases refused to sell their land, but the buyers would just go to the corrupt authorities hiring policemen to intimidate or even kill people in their way.
Monteros farms would be picked off one by one by land speculators and larger farm groups, while many would simply leave their former homes to try and find a better life, many would also stay and fight against the buyers. These Monteros would take up arms against the buyers and police, while at first they would attempt to stay in their homes they would quickly be expelled and get wanted as criminals.
With nowhere to go these Monteros would become social bandits, robbing: townships, caravans, and police border checkpoints. While the Monteros would be feared by communities for their brutality they would also gain a positive reputation for their battles against the police and army.
During the 2nd civil war
By 1912 the Montero Bandits would be returning from near death by the hands of the state army, instability thanks to that year's election would keep the army too preoccupied with internal conflicts to focus on external affairs. Using the civil war to their advantage the Monteros would launch a near united campaign against the Grand Norte state army.
Although their weaponry would be outdated the Monteros would use asymmetric warfare to outlast the army until an opposing army from the city of Ferdinand would arrive and destroy them. From then on the Monteros would retake their long lost lands and organize themselves as an army in Gran Norte.
The leader of the Monteros, Diego Pomar in mid 1913 would be approached by the government of future president, Pascual Josué Obregón. Obregón would promise the restoration of all their lands and complete exoneration of all Monteros who took up arms over the years.
In exchange for his deal Pomar would join Obregón’s government, the Monteros much like they had done in previous wars would serve as a type of special forces with their expertise in cavalry operations becoming renowned.
Modern day
After the civil war the Monteros would be rewarded their lands and government assurances that they would never be attacked like they were before again. While some Monteros would continue their ways of crime the vast majority would return to ranching becoming well known for their prized cattle which would win them a lucrative business in the trade of cattle and other livestock.
As time went on the Montero tradition would become more well documented by various researchers and even younger Monteros. Professor Fontirroig, an early Montero anthropologist would write about those times “While the Monteros were well known in the country as bandit riders and ranches, their deeper, more unique cultural traditions were still unknown all but to themselves.”
By 1950 most Montero traditions and cultural practices would be recorded and the Montero would be recognized in the government archives as a “unique Elaklanian subculture” Montero myth by this time would also start to enter the mainstream with the lesser known book “humo de pistola” being adapted by del Pozo films into one of the most successful Elaklanian films of all time.
As of the 21st century there are still many Montero ranches though some of them are not considered authentic as the former wealth disparity is slowly eroding. The Montero are respected and considered a core part of Elaklania with their image being used by the government and nationalist figures well since the before the 50s.
Archetype
The Montero archetype is a motif that is widely used in Elaklanian media. The motif is explicitly about the more mythological idea of Montero as a rogue poet warrior fighting against inequality both through physical violence and metaphysical violence, i.e. his words.
This kind of Montero is a peasant but also a intellectual through their rough nature they speak to the realities of the world while facing their challenges.
Weaponry
Monteros use a variety of weapons, during the mid 1800s they often used repeating rifles alongside brush machetes which they called destripadores or “rippers”
As horse riders, revolvers are also commonly associated with the Monteros and especially during the bandit era when cavalry revolvers were sought by experienced Monteros for their power.
Clothing
An important part of Montero style is the clothing that they wear, the most iconic part of the Montero outfit is the pancho which is commonly worn by ranchers in Gran Norte.
Cowboy hats or sombreros are also widely used amongst Monteros although they have been narrowly followed up by sunglasses which are a more modern form of sun protection.
During the bandit era belts of ammunition, armor, traditional markings, and charms were often worn by Monteros as their militancy grew over time.