Rewriting Tradition: Female Fighters of the Andes

Takanakuy (v.): "To hit each other" (Quechua)

Indigenous women of the Peruvian Andes break gender norms by taking matters into their own hands during Takanakuy Fighting Festival. Each Christmas Day, Peruvians of the Chumbivilcas province challenge each other to fight in a supervised setting and resolve personal grievances. An ancient Incan festival for men to display dominance while dressed in decorative costume, women are traditionally prohibited from participating in fights. Women of the Chumbivilcas today are defying custom by stepping up to fight for themselves in front of thousands and rewriting tradition for future generations.

Every Christmas morning, people of the Chumbivilcas all gather together to sing and dance in preparation for Takanakuy - the region's annual fighting festival. Located high in remote Peruvian Andes, people from all around the Chumbivilcas region gather in the town of Santo Tomas and the nearby village of Llique. During Takanakuy, the population increases from 300 to approximately 3000.

A young girl watches female fighters. Traditionally a festival reserved for men to display strength and dominance, women of the Chumbivilcas province today are breaking gender norms and creating a new norm to step up and fight in front of thousands.

Participants take a communal lunch break before moving on to the main fighting event. Food is provided by the kitchen free of charge.

Before heading to the festival, a participant in "Quaranwantanna" costume stands waiting without his mask. Often onsisting of a traditional Peruvian ski mask, leather jacket, riding gear, and a dead bird, this costume is most favoried by young men for it's intimidation factor.

A boy in “Langosta” (locust) costume leads a parade of participants towards the fighting pits. Ever since the locust plague of the Chumbivilcas in the 1940’s, the costume earned it’s place when the plague disappeared shortly after Takanakuy participants introduced the persona.

Female fighters dance around the fighting pit challenging anybody to a fight.

Top fighters from all around the Chumbivilcas region gather during Takanakuy seeking to settle scores with rivals or for glory. A great victory in the fighting pit before thousands could mean a great deal of respect and status the coming year.

Referees wielding whips for crowd control are overrun as spectators jump into the fighting pit to help a friend. The first rounds are particularly rowdy as fighters and spectators alike anxious to get the festival started. The result is often an outright brawl between hundreds.

Sporadic downpours throughout the afternoon leave the floor muddy and slippery. The festival continue regardless with fighters slipping and struggling for balance.

A female fighter prepares for her turn in the fighting pit. Although traditionally prohibited, women today are encouraged by other fighters to participate.

Two women fist fight during the annual Takanakuy fighting festival. Although traditionally prohibited, women today are encouraged by other fighters to participate.

Two women fist fight during the annual Takanakuy fighting festival. Although traditionally prohibited, women today are encouraged by other fighters to participate.

A boy fights aggressively, hoping to prove secure a win and exemplify his manlihood within the local community.

Two fighters are broken up by amatuer referees and spectators.

An injured fighter is supported by a friend upon losing his fight. Participants are easily injured with the limited protection.

Two men come together to embrace after a confrontational fight. Each fight is required to start and end with a handshake or hug.

Two female fighters come together to shake hands after a fight.

Sporadic downpours throughout the afternoon leave the floor muddy and slippery. The festival continue regardless with fighters slipping and struggling for balance. A girl dances and pretends to fight in the mud in between fights.