For a long time, the word Chola has had a pejorative meaning in Bolivia. It was mainly used by the Spanish ruling class to define indigenous women who, at that time, were highly suffering from discrimination and repression. These days, Cholitas exhibit with pride their traditional outfits and even do battle at wrestling nights in the highest part of La Paz. Here is our second Photo Gallery, exclusively showcasing these incredible women and their colourful dresses.
The indigenous right revolution in Bolivia, which saw Evo Morales elected as the first Aymaran President, has also helped give Cholitas their dignity back and receive a great recognition from their peers. With changes in the Constitution and social attitudes, the Cholitas became more confident. From being forbidden to walk in the streets on their own or to enter certain restaurants, Cholitas are now ascending to any type of career, from radio journalists to government ministers.
In parallel, the first Cholita Wrestling event started as a way to express themselves and escape domestic abuse. As they enter the ring every Thursday and Sunday in El Alto, the crowd becomes wild. While wearing their beautiful traditional outfits, they amuse the mixture of tourists and locals with their acrobatics and comical confrontations.
Cholitas Bolivianas | Clothes and fashion
“Cholitas wear their Bowler hats on different parts of the head to signify their marital status”
How to recognize a Cholita?
What makes Bolivia different is the omnipresence of the Aymaran and Quechua traditions. One of the most visible displays of the Aymara culture would be the Cholitas who can be seen all around the country. These women can easily be distinguished in the streets by their distinctive pleated layer skirts (pollera), their bowler hat, their typical hairstyle consisting of 2 very long plaits tied by a tasselled cord, and finally their aguayo made of colourful merino wool which they use to carry on their back anything from groceries to children.
How did the Cholitas get their hats?
According to the urban legend, the reason Cholitas started wearing their infamous bowler hats was down to human error and clever marketing. When one business imported thousands of bowler hats into Bolivia, they discovered that there was a mistake in the sizes, all of the hats were too small for men to wear. Faced with the prospect of losing money the men resorted to a sales technique which involved telling the local women that wearing the small hats on top of their heads was exactly what was being done in Europe. The Cholitas believed it and adopted it as part of their attire.
“Most Cholitas wear an Aguayo around their shoulders to carry everything from children to supplies”
Cholitas at the market
“The Bowler hat is mainly worn in La Paz. In the rest of the country, Cholitas tend to wear beautiful weaved white hats”
Cholitas in Bolivia
Wrestling Cholitas of La Paz
“In La Paz, the flying Cholitas wrestle in their traditional
dresses to entertain the crowd of locals and tourists”
Learn more about Cholitas, Aymara culture and Bolivia
Check out our articles about Bolivia
- Want to see more pictures of Aymara’s and their colourful clothing? Check out our photo gallery of the Aymara New Year celebrations
- We also have a few dedicated posts about bolivia
You can also read these great articles
- The rise of Bolivia’s indigenous Cholitas – in pictures by the Guardian
- Cholita fashion: bowler hats and sexy ankles by Bolivian Life
- Cholita Wrestling by La Paz Life
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jen – Owner, writer & photographer – has lived for the past 10 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling long-term in Latin America, North America and Europe. She has visited more than 60 countries and set foot on every continent in the world!
>> Favourite countries: New Zealand, Bolivia, Iceland.
>> Wishlist: Svalbard, Japan, Botswana, Alaska.
>> Philosophy: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
Jen is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife and outdoor activities. Her organisation and curiosity make her a great travel companion always looking for DIY and off-the-grid adventures. For more info, check out the About page.
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I had never heard of Cholitas until I watched the Netflix’s series “Street Food”. You have a beautiful photos gallery, have you taken all of this photos about Cholitas?
Hello Eileen, Yes I have taken all this photos 🙂 The documentary was really nice. Lot’s of nostalgias watching the Netflix series for me. Street food in Bolivia was the highlight of my trip there.