Mexico's Pilgrim Cowboys—Photo Gallery—National Geographic Magazine

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Mexico's Pilgrim Cowboys

Thousands of Mexican riders make the yearly journey to Guanajuato's 65-foot-tall statue of Cristo Rey, Christ the King.

/2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/1-cowboy-horse-714.jpg /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/mexican-cowboys-60-01.jpg Photograph by David Alan Harvey /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/2-building-men-714.jpg /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/mexican-cowboys-60-02.jpg Photograph by David Alan Harvey /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/3-horse-rider-714.jpg /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/mexican-cowboys-60-03.jpg Photograph by David Alan Harvey cabalgata—a gathering of horsemen. Rising early from campsites near modest villages, riders make their way across rough country and climb Cubilete mountain in central Mexico, to honor the biblical journey of the three wise men who carried gifts to the newborn Jesus. Some ride for days under bright January skies, praying at dusty pueblo chapels and tiny roadside shrines on their way to Guanajuato's monument to Christ the King. ]]> /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/4-campfire-men-714.jpg /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/mexican-cowboys-60-04.jpg Photograph by David Alan Harvey /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/5-trail-pilgrimage-714.jpg /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/mexican-cowboys-60-05.jpg Photograph by David Alan Harvey /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/6-priest-crowd-714.jpg /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/mexican-cowboys-60-06.jpg Photograph by David Alan Harvey /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/7-christ-statue-714.jpg /2007/08/mexican-cowboys/img/mexican-cowboys-60-07.jpg Photograph by David Alan Harvey