Cholitas, Bolivia’s indigenous Aymara and Quechua women, faced severe discrimination through most of the 20th century. The term “Cholita” itself served as a derogatory label to demean these women. These women couldn’t enter certain restaurants, taxis, and public buses just because of their identity and traditional dress. This discrimination continued until about 10-15 years ago.
The scene changed dramatically in 2006 when Bolivians elected their first indigenous president, Evo Morales. This historic moment sparked remarkable social changes for cholitas across the Bolivian Andes. The once-marginalized women have emerged as powerful symbols of cultural pride and economic freedom. Bolivian cholitas now thrive as lawyers, journalists, and television presenters. Some have earned recognition as cholitas luchadoras (wrestlers) and cholitas escaladoras (mountaineers). Their traditional pollera (skirt) has evolved substantially, moving beyond its roots in rural indigenous communities to become a celebrated high-end fashion statement.
The Origins and Meaning of ‘Cholita’
The word “cholita” comes from the Spanish “chola” (masculine: “cholo”), which started as a derogatory term for people with mixed indigenous and Spanish ancestry. During Bolivia’s colonial period, European descendants used this word negatively to mean “halfbreed” or “civilized Indian”.
From derogatory term to reclaimed identity
A remarkable change has turned this insult into something different. Adding “-ita” to “chola” creates “cholita” – this small change makes the word more affectionate. This simple modification shows a bigger story: people taking back their cultural identity.
The term carried the burden of colonial oppression and social stigma for many years. In spite of that, Bolivia’s indigenous women took ownership of the word and turned it from an insult into a source of pride. This change in language mirrors their path from being pushed aside to becoming visible in society.
“They used to say, ‘chola, no no!’ when we tried to go to those places,” says Carmen Mamani de Espejo, who sells flowers at La Paz’s Rodriguez Market. She talks about exclusive public spaces that once banned indigenous women. The word now stands for cultural pride, women’s strength, and determination.
Aymara and Quechua roots
Bolivia’s cholitas mainly come from two indigenous groups: the Aymara and Quechua peoples. These two communities are part of Bolivia’s 36 official indigenous groups and make up much of the country’s population. In fact, Bolivia has one of South America’s largest indigenous populations – more than two-thirds of all Bolivians by some counts.
The Aymara people live mostly in the mountain regions around La Paz, while Quechua communities cluster near Cochabamba. Each area has its own unique traditional clothing and customs, but they share basic elements of cholita identity.
Who are the cholitas of Bolivia?
You can spot cholitas by their unique traditional clothes. Their iconic outfit has:
- Colorful, multilayered skirts called polleras
- Elegant embroidered blouses and shawls
- The signature bowler hat (borsalino)
- Long, braided black hair with decorative elements
Spanish colonial rulers first forced much of this traditional clothing on indigenous people. Local stories say the bowler hat became part of cholita fashion by accident – a shipment of European hats meant for railway workers arrived too small, so merchants sold them to indigenous women. Some say women heard these hats would boost fertility.
Cholitas are more than their distinctive looks – they represent strength and cultural preservation. These women work as mothers, business owners, artists, and community leaders. They help Bolivia’s economy grow through various jobs, from street vendors to tourism workers.
The cholita identity shows how indigenous heritage blends with modern Bolivian life. These women have become cultural ambassadors who bring pride to their communities. They support each other through networks and organizations that promote their rights and push for social change.
A History of Discrimination and Exclusion
Bolivia’s indigenous populations faced severe discrimination for generations due to colonial power structures. Cholitas bore the harshest treatment that affected every part of their lives—from cultural expressions to their right over their own bodies.
Colonial impositions and cultural suppression
Spanish colonial rulers created policies to wipe out indigenous identity. King Charles III of Spain forced indigenous women to wear traditional Spanish regional costumes in the late 18th century. These outfits came from the Basque country, Extremadura, and Andalusia. This control went beyond clothing—rulers demanded specific hairstyles, including the center-parting that many cholitas still wear today.
The pollera skirt tells an interesting story. What stands as a symbol of cholita pride today started as a colonial uniform to control indigenous women. Spanish rulers based these skirts on outfits worn by slaves in the Basque region. During this time, Spanish colonizers looted Bolivia’s natural resources while attacking indigenous cultures and practices.
Spanish colonization in Bolivia differed from British and French colonial rule. Regular Spanish citizens moved to Bolivia in large numbers. Through genocide and later intermarriage, they became the majority. After independence, European descendants led the liberation movement rather than indigenous peoples.
Bans on traditional clothing in public spaces
Cholitas faced clear restrictions on their movement and access to public services until the late 20th century. They could not:
- Enter “respectable” public squares in La Paz
- Use public transportation and taxis
- Eat in restaurants
- Access government buildings while wearing traditional clothing
These rules created an apartheid-like system. People who identified with indigenous groups—65% of the population—lived as second-class citizens. Bolivia denied indigenous people voting rights until 1952. Society placed cholitas at “the bottom rung on the societal ladder”. They faced constant harassment and humiliation.
Forced sterilization and systemic racism
The violation of bodily rights through forced medical procedures stands as the most disturbing practice. A landmark case emerged in 2000 when I.V., a Peruvian refugee in Bolivia, had a cesarean section at a La Paz public hospital. Doctors sterilized her without consent, taking away her ability to have more children.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled against Bolivia. The court found that gender stereotypes and healthcare power imbalances violated women’s reproductive rights. Throughout history, harmful stereotypes limited women’s reproductive health by defining them through their ability to have children.
Government-sponsored sterilization campaigns targeted rural, indigenous populations in some regions during the 1990s. These actions showed deep-rooted systemic racism that saw indigenous women as unworthy of controlling their own bodies.
This history of discrimination explains why cholita empowerment has reshaped Bolivia’s social scene. Indigenous people now take pride in their identity, breaking away from centuries of colonial thinking that pushed bolivian cholitas aside and tried to erase their heritage.
The Power of Traditional Dress
Traditional Bolivian dress represents one of South America’s most vibrant expressions of cultural identity. Colonial impositions have turned into powerful symbols of resistance, pride, and economic independence for indigenous women over generations.
The pollera: from oppression to pride
La pollera, the iconic multi-layered skirt, came to life during Spanish colonization when indigenous people had to adopt European clothing styles. Bolivian women turned this oppressive beginning into something uniquely their own. The skirt uses an amazing 8 meters of colorful fabric to create its voluminous look. This abundance of material keeps women warm in Bolivia’s harsh mountain climate and emphasizes a fuller figure – a traditional sign of fertility and beauty in Aymara culture.
The pollera’s story from “typical for poor women” to a prestigious fashion statement stands out. Many cholitas are successful business owners who proudly wear their polleras. A cholita mountaineer once said, “Climbing in pollera was a decision that changed my life… a symbol of struggle and dignity”.
The bowler hat and its hidden meanings
The signature bowler hats, called borsalinos or bombines, have become the most distinctive symbol of bolivian cholitas. These British accessories made their way to Bolivia through an interesting twist of fate. Local legend says a shipment of hats meant for British railway workers arrived too small for men. A creative merchant turned this mishap into an opportunity by marketing them to indigenous women as the latest European fashion.
These hats tell stories through their position: centered means married, tilted to the side shows single or widowed status, and tilted backward playfully hints at a “complicated” relationship. The hats offer little protection from the Andean sun, yet they’ve become an essential part of cholita identity nationwide.
Regional variations in cholita fashion
Cholita fashion shows rich diversity across Bolivia. La Paz women love their classic bowler hats, while Cochabamba cholitas prefer taller, rectangular headwear. Tarija’s women stand out with their wider, curved-brim hats. Colors, fabrics, and pollera styles change noticeably by region.
Peruvian cholitas maintain their own unique looks, especially in Cusco and Puno. They pair brightly woven skirts with distinctive wide-brimmed hats.
The role of the aguayo and accessories
A traditional cholita outfit includes:
- A thick manta (shawl) made from alpaca or llama wool, usually in one color
- The versatile aguayo, a rectangular cloth with colorful stripes and symbolic patterns
- Beautiful joyas (jewelry) including earrings and brooches – some wealthy cholitas need security guards for their valuable pieces during special events
The aguayo shows deep cultural connections. This practical textile helps women carry everything from market goods to babies while showcasing traditional weaving patterns. Each piece of cholita fashion serves both practical needs and celebrates indigenous heritage.
Bolivia’s cholitas escaladoras and cholitas luchadoras now gain worldwide recognition. Their traditional dress has become a powerful symbol of cultural strength and business success, moving far beyond its origins as a sign of marginalization.
Breaking Barriers: Cholitas in Modern Society
Bolivian cholitas have come a long way from being marginalized to becoming pioneers in many fields. Their story shows a broader cultural transformation in Bolivian society.
Cholitas wrestling: the rise of the luchadoras
The Fighting Cholitas or cholitas luchadoras emerged when indigenous women started wrestling in El Alto, Bolivia. What began as a novelty sideshow quickly became the main event. These athletes draw hundreds of spectators three times a week as they battle in their traditional polleras. Their matches stand as a symbol against Bolivia’s deep-rooted machismo culture, where seven out of ten women face violence.
The wrestlers now control their profession through the Association of Fighting Cholitas. This ensures the athletes, not exploitative promoters, receive the profits. Their story caught global attention with the award-winning 2006 documentary “Fighting Cholitas,” which earned recognition at the Sundance Film Festival.
Las cholitas escaladoras: mountaineering in polleras
The story gets even more impressive with the cholitas escaladoras, indigenous mountain climbers who conquer peaks in their traditional dress. The group started in 2015 by reaching the summit of Huayna Potosí (6,088 meters). Male guides claimed women in skirts would bring bad luck, but these athletes proved them wrong.
The escaladoras’ achievements include:
- Reaching Bolivia’s highest peak, Sajama (6,542m)
- Conquering Illimani (6,438m) and Parinacota (6,342m)
- Making history in 2019 as the first Aymara women to reach Aconcagua (6,968m), the Americas’ highest mountain
Mount Everest stands next on their list. Lita González, one of the group’s founders, says it best: “Climbing in pollera was a decision that changed my life… a symbol of struggle and dignity”.
Cholitas in politics, media, and business
Cholitas now hold positions that seemed impossible before. They work in government ministries, banks, and law firms. Many anchor TV shows and serve as congresswomen who champion indigenous rights. This progress picked up speed after 2006 when Bolivia elected its first indigenous president.
The modeling school and fashion shows
The fashion industry has welcomed cholita culture with open arms. Modeling schools, runway shows, and the Miss Cholita pageant have become popular attractions. Students between 15 and 25 years old in Viacha now showcase traditional attire to excited crowds. One young participant captured the spirit perfectly: “I feel so pretty. Now I know it’s my dream to be a Cholita model”.
These achievements show an incredible journey from exclusion to celebration as cholitas continue to break new ground in Bolivian society.
Cultural Pride and Global Recognition
Cholitas have transformed from society’s outcasts to cultural icons, creating significant economic opportunities that now reach well beyond Bolivia’s borders.
Tourism and the global fascination with cholitas
Bolivia attracts tourists who want to experience cholita culture up close. People pack minibusses to watch Sunday night matches of the Association of Fighting Cholitas. The cholitas escaladoras (climbing cholitas) have captured global attention through documentaries that showcase their impressive climb of Aconcagua, South America’s highest peak. Tourism created 326,580 direct and indirect jobs in 2019 and added almost 4.6% to Bolivia’s GDP.
Cholita fashion on international runways
Fashion designer Eliana Paco Paredes broke new ground by showcasing cholita clothing at New York Fashion Week. Her “Pachamama” collection featured international models who wore traditional polleras and borsalinos. Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada praised cholita fashion and compared it to “Yves Saint Laurent and the best era of Armani”. Traditional outfits once linked to poverty now come with impressive price tags – a fine jewelry set costs around USD 160,000, with premium pieces selling for over USD 700,000.
Economic empowerment through microbusinesses
Pro Mujer and similar microfinancing organizations have played a crucial role in supporting cholita entrepreneurs. These programs have helped indigenous women become active participants in Bolivia’s growing economy with initial loans as small as USD 40. Pro Mujer’s success shows in their numbers – by 2011, their loan portfolio reached USD 43.60 million with 100,988 borrowers.
Summing all up
Bolivia’s cholitas represent one of South America’s most inspiring social revolutions in recent times. These women have come a long way from facing harsh discrimination to becoming celebrated cultural icons. Their story shows how marginalized groups can embrace their identity and gain financial independence. Cholitas have broken barriers everywhere – they wrestle in rings, climb massive peaks in traditional dress, and hold positions that were once out of reach in politics, media, business, and fashion.
Without doubt, this cultural rebirth has opened up huge economic opportunities for indigenous women. Their traditional polleras and borsalinos, previously seen as marks of oppression, now sell at premium prices in international fashion markets. Microfinancing programs have enabled countless cholita entrepreneurs to build successful businesses. The tourism industry built around cholita culture has become a major part of Bolivia’s economy, as visitors flock to watch wrestling matches and hear about their mountain climbing feats.
This rise goes beyond money – it’s about reclaiming their heritage. Women who once couldn’t access simple rights have turned insults into symbols of pride. Their traditional outfits, forced upon them during colonial times, now stand for resistance and dignity instead of submission. Young people today see their cholita identity as a precious link to their indigenous roots rather than a burden.
People worldwide have fallen in love with cholita culture, showing growing appreciation for genuine cultural expression. Polleras now appear on fashion runways from New York to Paris alongside designer collections. Notwithstanding that global fame, cholitas stay true to their communities and balance international recognition with local values.
The future looks bright for Bolivia’s cholitas as they expand their influence in society, business, and culture. Their incredible strength through centuries of discrimination has created a movement that exceeds fashion and entertainment. These women have redefined what it means to be indigenous in modern Bolivia – proud of their heritage, financially independent, and committed to keeping their cultural identity alive for future generations.
Here are some FAQs about who are the Cholitas of Bolivia:
Who are the Cholita climbers of Bolivia?
The Cholitas climbers of Bolivia are a group of indigenous Aymara women who have gained international recognition for mountaineering in their traditional skirts (polleras). These bolivian cholitas have conquered peaks like Huayna Potosí and Aconcagua while wearing their customary multilayered dresses, challenging stereotypes about indigenous women’s capabilities. The cholitas bolivia climbing team represents both cultural pride and female empowerment in outdoor sports.
Who are the Andean people in Bolivia?
The Andean people in Bolivia primarily include indigenous groups like the Aymara and Quechua, from whom the cholitas bolivia tradition originates. These communities maintain strong cultural traditions visible in the distinctive bowler hats, shawls, and polleras worn by bolivian cholitas. Their ancestral territories span the Altiplano region, where traditional practices coexist with modern life.
Why are cholitas discriminated against in Bolivia?
Cholitas faced historical discrimination in Bolivia due to colonial-era prejudices against indigenous dress and identity. The traditional pollera skirts and braided hair of cholitas bolivia were long associated with lower social status, though this is changing. Recent decades have seen bolivian cholitas reclaiming their cultural identity as symbols of pride rather than shame.
What do cholitas stand for?
Cholitas represent indigenous cultural resilience and female empowerment in Bolivia, as seen in groups like cholitas wichita (a US-based collective honoring the tradition). The bolivian cholitas movement embodies both preservation of Aymara heritage and modern challenges to social hierarchies. Their distinctive dress has transformed from a marker of oppression to a celebrated national symbol.
Who are V17 climbers?
While not directly related to the cholitas bolivia mountaineers, V17 refers to an elite grade in rock climbing difficulty. The bolivian cholitas climbing achievements represent a different but equally impressive feat – conquering major peaks in traditional dress rather than pursuing technical climbing grades. Both represent groundbreaking accomplishments in their respective climbing communities.
What are the different types of Bolivians?
Bolivia’s population includes diverse ethnic groups: indigenous (Aymara, Quechua, Guarani), mestizo (mixed), and European-descended communities. The cholitas bolivia specifically represent the Aymara indigenous identity with their distinctive dress. Regional variations exist too, from the highland bolivian cholitas to lowland indigenous groups with different traditions and attire.