Women wrestlers - Bolivia

– We who bear pollera are macho! Not just when it comes to fighting but also to work and have children, cries ”Marta la Alteña” out for tourists and families that have taken place in the stands to see the Bolivian version of wrestling. She is perched in the ring in the middle of the big sports hall in El Alto, the poor working town which has grown up on the high plateau above La Paz. Soon, ”Marta la Alteña” is to fight against both men and women and tear down applause she could only dream of before she chose to start with ”lucha libre”. But first she communicates her message. Previously, it was men who had the main role in this violent spectacle, no longer. Instead, ”cholitas”, traditionally dressed indigenous women are the ones that gets the crowd to come to the sports hall.