“Fake braids” cost Bolivian beauty queen her title

Last April we discussed the emphasis on physical beauty in Bolivia; more specifically, how the notion of being “beautiful” means looking as lithe and light-skinned as possible. But over the weekend, an unusual case occurred involving Bolivian “beauty”.

Officials of a pageant emphasizing indigenous looks disqualified the winner due to cheating. The original winner- Mariela Molinedo- wore “fake braids”, a vital part of the look of Aymara women from the capital of La Paz (see image). Molinedo’s replacement- who one assumed had real braids under her bowler- was selected yesterday.

Sources- SignOnSanDiego.com, Reuters, The Latin Americanist,

Image- Al Jazeera