In 2010, Italian photographer Daniele Tamagni photographed the fighting cholitas, the famed troop of indigenous female wrestlers in La Paz, Bolivia.
In 2010, Italian photographer Daniele Tamagni photographed the fighting cholitas, the famed troop of indigenous female wrestlers in La Paz, Bolivia.
courtesy daniele tamagni
Blending WWE and the Mexican lucha libre, wrestlers dominate the ring wearing the traditional garb of the Aymara and Quechua nations.
Blending WWE and the Mexican lucha libre, wrestlers dominate the ring wearing the traditional garb of the Aymara and Quechua nations.
courtesy daniele tamagni
Fighters wear colorful skirts, petticoats, shawls and bowler hats, and braid their hair.
Fighters wear colorful skirts, petticoats, shawls and bowler hats, and braid their hair.
courtesy daniele tamagni
In a show of power and pride, the cholitas are fighting the historic devaluing and oppression of their communities in South America. (The term "cholita" was once a slur against indigenous women.)
In a show of power and pride, the cholitas are fighting the historic devaluing and oppression of their communities in South America. (The term "cholita" was once a slur against indigenous women.)
courtesy daniele tamagni
"What was fascinating was their attention to elegance, to their indigenous roots, and the attention they give to the style of dressing," Tamagni said.
"What was fascinating was their attention to elegance, to their indigenous roots, and the attention they give to the style of dressing," Tamagni said.
courtesy daniele tamagni
"The cholitas are indigenous women who, before, were neglected, and now (through wrestling), they gain more power," he said.
"The cholitas are indigenous women who, before, were neglected, and now (through wrestling), they gain more power," he said.
courtesy daniele tamagni
Tamagni photographed the women both in the ring and out of it. Here, Dina La Reina Del Ring sits with her husband, a fellow wrestler.
Tamagni photographed the women both in the ring and out of it. Here, Dina La Reina Del Ring sits with her husband, a fellow wrestler.
courtesy daniele tamagni
Carmen Rosa, who leads the group, was the first wrestling cholita that Tamagni was introduced to.
Carmen Rosa, who leads the group, was the first wrestling cholita that Tamagni was introduced to.
courtesy daniele tamagni
"It's something different than the traditional wrestling, something more real, in which (every cholita) has a role and a part. Carmen Rosa is the leader, the best one," Tamagni said.
"It's something different than the traditional wrestling, something more real, in which (every cholita) has a role and a part. Carmen Rosa is the leader, the best one," Tamagni said.
courtesy daniele tamagni
"At the time, I thought it was interesting that what I did was not just images of the sport. The personality of these women is very strong," he said.
"At the time, I thought it was interesting that what I did was not just images of the sport. The personality of these women is very strong," he said.
courtesy daniele tamagni