Meet Carmen Rosa: Bolivia's Champion Cholita Wrestler
Sometime during the mid-2000s, Bolivian wrestling diversified to include the traditionally dressed indigenous women known as cholitas. What initially started as a way for domestic violence victims to vent their frustrations eventually evolved into a large commercial enterprise that has become Lacampo Paz’ most bizarre tourist attraction. Leading the charge from the beginning has been the infamous Carmen Rosa, Bolivia’s most fearsome female wrestler.
Indigenous Bolivians have been discriminated against since Spanish conquistadors first arrived in the country. These problems are multiplied for cholitas, who have suffered from prejudice of both gender and race. Once too ashamed to even wear their traditional clothing in public, the modern cholita feels a renewed sense of pride partly thanks to huge improvements in indigenous rights brought about by the current Aymara president Evo Morales.
Carmen Rosa, whose real name is Ana Polonia Choque, is one of the original cholita wrestlers. In the beginning, the few women who practiced the sport did so to vent frustration over domestic violence and form new social networks. As momentum began to build and more cholitas got involved, an entrepreneurial promoter named Juan Mamani convinced them to perform professionally.
But as is all too common is these situations, the women were underpaid and their male managers took the biggest slice of the pie. In 2008, the no-nonsense Rosa used her influence as a wrestling superstar to convince the other women to ditch their current work contracts and help her form a female run Cholitas Wrestling Foundation. With this new organization in place, the women were able to keep a far more generous share of the profits.
Unfortunately, despite the success of the foundation, Rosa and her colleagues still aren’t able to earn a living from a sport with such a limited following. To make ends meet, she cooks lunch everyday at her modest restaurant in downtown La Paz.
Although far from becoming an international superstar, Rosa is a revered and respected celebrity among those in the local wrestling community. Known as La Campeona (The Champion), she aims to personify indigenous Bolivian women through her strength, determination and passion. Wearing her pollera (traditional dress) with pride, this Bolivian icon has punched, kicked and suplexed her way into the hearts and minds of her fans.
As for her thoughts on the future: “Now I see the future of women’s wrestling as a bright one. I am helping new generations of fighters, girls who are interested in the art of wrestling. We are growing, and the discipline is growing. I have high hopes that, who knows, maybe some day a pollera woman will be fighting at the Olympics with her bowler hat on and her pigtails swinging.”
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.