Super fly

Cochabamba’s female skateboard collective ImillaSkate has adopted traditional Bolivian clothing as a symbol of resistance. The distinctive look is one way of celebrating their indigenous heritage

- Lusia Dorr

The Bolivian polleras, bulky skirts commonly associated with the indigenous women from the highlands, were for decades a symbol of uniqueness – and discrimination. Now, a new generation of women skateboarders in Cochabamba, Bolivia’s second largest city, wears them as a piece of resistance. The voluminous garment has its origins in the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. It was imposed on the native population, but became part of the local identity. Since it symbolises authenticity and stigmatisation, dusting off polleras that once belonged to aunts and grandmothers seemed the obvious choice for Dani Santiváñez, a young Bolivian skater who wanted to reclaim her roots. In 2018, s he and two friends formed the female collective ImillaSkate “as a cry for inclusion”. Imilla means “young girl” in Aymara and Quechua, the two most widely spoken languages in Bolivia, a country where more than half of the population has indigenous roots.

‘It’s not only about wearing the outfit, it’s also about getting better in the sport, making new manoeuvres’ - Deysi Tacuri Lopez

La Cancha Market in Cochabamba, Bolivia’s second-largest city

A visit to La Cancha Market is almost an anthropological experience, considering that it is one of the most popular markets in Latin America. You can find anything from basic kitchen supplies to regional foods, books, clothing, handcrafts, antiques, and even the most up -to-date electronics – as well as a lot of pirated goods.