Final answer:
The American cowboy culture originated from the Mexican ranchers or vaqueros of the American Southwest, who introduced key elements such as saddles and lassos. This culture was further influenced by the diverse cowboys of the period, including Hispanic and African American cowboys, as well as Native Americans who became skilled horsemen and ranch hands.
Step-by-step explanation:
The culture of the American cowboy has its roots in the practices and traditions of Mexican ranchers, who were present in the American Southwest before the advent of American cowboys. Elements of cowboy culture such as the saddles, lassos, chaps, and lariats were all adopted from the Mexican vaqueros. These Mexican ranchers had developed their ranching techniques long before the iconic image of the American cowboy emerged during the westward expansion of the United States.
During the 19th century, when cowboys became synonymous with the American West, close to one-third of these cowboys were of Hispanic or African American descent, highlighting the diversity and cultural blend within this period. The transformation of local Native Americans, influenced by Spanish New Spain, into vaqueros also demonstrates the depth of cultural exchange that contributed to the cowboy's development. Notably, Native Americans adopted horse riding and livestock handling skills which further enriched the evolving culture of the American West.