A group of Aymara indigenous women from Bolivia who climb, photographed by Todd Antony:
In January 2019, they summited the 22,841ft peak of Mt Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of Asia. And did so eschewing traditional climbing clothing in favour of their traditional, vibrant, billowing dresses, and using their traditional shawls to carry equipment rather than backpacks.
The word 'Cholita' has previously been used as a pejorative term for the indigenous Aymara women of Bolivia. But these women are reclaiming it as a badge of honour.
"In the very recent past, as little as 10 years ago, Bolivia’s indigenous Aymara women were socially ostracised and systematically marginalised," explains Todd. "Known as 'Cholitas', these women, easily identified by their wide skirts, braided hair and bowler hats, suffered racial discrimination and could be refused entry to certain restaurants, using public transport and entering certain public spaces such as the capitals central square, Plaza Murillo."
If this all sounds a bit far-fetched, note that, according to Wikipedia, Mt Aconcagua is "arguably the highest non-technical mountain in the world, since the northern route does not absolutely require ropes, axes, and pins".
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