Women in La Paz, Bolivia, are honoring their Indigenous Aymara roots by skateboarding while wearing traditional layered pollera skirts.
This movement represents a fusion of ancestral identity and modern urban culture. By integrating traditional dress into a sport typically dominated by men and Western fashion, these women are reclaiming public spaces and challenging long-standing gender and ethnic stereotypes.
The initiative involves members of female skateboarding collectives, known as Warmis Sobre Ruedas and ImillaSkate [1, 2]. Among the participants is Francesca Loza, a 25-year-old [1] medical student who uses the sport to celebrate her heritage. These athletes navigate the skate parks and city streets of La Paz, blending the rhythmic movement of the pollera skirts with the technical demands of skateboarding [1, 2].
The use of the pollera — a voluminous, pleated skirt worn by Indigenous women — serves as a visible statement of pride. For these skaters, the garment is not a hindrance but a symbol of their Aymara ancestry [2, 3]. The collective effort aims to break the mold of what a skateboarder looks like, proving that Indigenous traditions can coexist with youth-driven global sports [3, 4].
Reports on this cultural intersection first gained significant visibility in July 2024 [2, 3]. The visibility of the collective has since grown as they continue to promote the idea that urban sports can be a vehicle for cultural preservation rather than a tool for assimilation [2, 4].
“Women skaters are honoring their Indigenous Aymara roots by skateboarding while wearing traditional layered pollera skirts.”
This trend signals a shift in how Indigenous youth in South America negotiate their identity in a globalized world. By pairing the pollera, a garment historically associated with social stratification and traditional domesticity, with skateboarding, a symbol of rebellion and urban agility, these women are redefining the Aymara image. It transforms a traditional garment into a tool of empowerment and visibility within the public sphere.
