Payada is competitive composing and singing of verses native to Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile. It is a tradition of the Gaucho culture, prevalent on the large plains of the Southern part of the continent.

Payadores used to be quite popular in Uruguay and the country has devoted a national day to this folk practice. However, new generations have not warmed up to this cultural genre and its interpreters are growing scarce.

These are images from a recent gathering of Payadores in a rural area close to Montevideo.

\'Payadores\' compete in free-rhyming tradition despite scarcity of interpreters

Payada is competitive composing and singing of verses native to Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile. It is a tradition of the Gaucho culture, prevalent on the large plains of the Southern part of the continent.