Skirts of swirls and hats fly on a football field in Jenesano in Central Colombia, while the «smelly» opposite the «mares» in a football extravaganza are confronted in honor of female farmers.
Every year in August, women in this region of small-scale dairy and vegetable producers come down to the meadows and plots in their traditional robe of layered skirts, rubber boots, ponchos and hats to show off their footwork.
The Bota tournament, Ruana Y Sombrero («Boot, Poncho and Hat») was initially founded as an outlet for the men of Jenesano 12 years ago.
But that was the requirement of their wives, sisters and cousins that a women’s tournament made his debut the following year.
«We can and know how to play very well,» said Luz Mery Contreras, who wore the Colombian national sweater under her poncho.
The names of the teams – the smelly, the mares, the sign, the beans – are a riff about the life of the country.
Bean captain Contreras, 39, sees the tournament as a showcase of the traditional «campesino» (small -scale farmer) culture, which means that women who said, usually «forgot» can have a chance of glory.
This air display shows the players of Rubas (in Blue) and Jenesano (in Green) during a football match within the Botas, Ruana and Sombrero Cultural and Sport Festival in Jenesano, Boyaca Department, Colombia. | Photocredit: AFP
This air display shows the players of Rubas (in Blue) and Jenesano (in Green) during a football match within the Botas, Ruana and Sombrero Cultural and Sport Festival in Jenesano, Boyaca Department, Colombia. | Photocredit: AFP
A pig for the winners
She liked to remember the first victory of her team. The price was a pig.
In a spirit of fairness, the players sold it and divided the money among themselves.
There are no artificial peat sticks or LED stadium lights on this tournament, held at 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) above sea level in the Andes Mountains.
The official ball of the game is covered with cowhide and hair, the play surface a bushes of dirt and stones.
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Roast through the hot mountain sun, some players fainted on the field.
But the rewards for those who place a ball past the keeper are high.
Each goal is celebrated with a team hug for around 800 cheering, singing supporters of both genera.
Las Jediondas players drink Guarapo a traditional fermented alcoholic drink that is derived from sugar ride juice before playing a football tournament during the Botas, Ruana and Sombrero Cultural and Sport Festival in Jenesano, Boyaca Department, Colombia. | Photocredit: AFP
Las Jediondas players drink Guarapo a traditional fermented alcoholic drink that is derived from sugar ride juice before playing a football tournament during the Botas, Ruana and Sombrero Cultural and Sport Festival in Jenesano, Boyaca Department, Colombia. | Photocredit: AFP
During the break the women extinguish their thirst with guarapo, fresh sugar ride juice.
For some women, football has become a passion that they play all year round. They see the beautiful game as a release of the monotony of domestic chores.
«We all like to see our women play this beautiful football,» said Marta Mechan, a 58-year-old pensioner.
Published August 26, 2025
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