Photos of the Cholita Paceña contest that honors Aymara women
A woman competes in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — In La Paz, Bolivia, the Cholita Paceña contest celebrates Aymara Indigenous women, recognizing their traditional fashion, beauty, fluency in Indigenous language and cultural knowledge. Contestants, dressed in long skirts, embroidered shawls, and bowler hats, dance to folkloric music and answer questions before a jury. The event aims to preserve and honor the identity of the traditional “chola.”
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Women compete in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Women compete in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Women compete in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Women compete in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
A woman competes in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
A woman competes in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
People cheer for contestants during the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
People cheer for contestants during the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Teresa Marisol Mayta competes in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Teresa Marisol Mayta competes in the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Women compete in Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Women compete in Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Teresa Marisol Mayta celebrates after winning the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Teresa Marisol Mayta celebrates after winning the Miss Cholita Pacena beauty pageant, an annual contest aiming to recognize Aymara Indigenous women’s fashion and beauty, as well as their command of the Indigenous lifestyle and language, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)