Vintage Men from Tarabuko Tinku helmet – Bolivian Indigenous Man’s Hat Festival Deadgear Montero. I believe this to be made of thin soft suede leather with leather piping and sequin bows. TINKU HELMET / BOLIVIAN INDIGENOUS MAN’S FESTIVAL HEADGEAR. The Tinku helmet is believed to be copied from those worn by Basque Shepherds. TINKU is an Aymara word that is difficult to define succinctly, but may be considered to be a long-standing Andean tradition, found in both Peru and Bolivia. It includes a ritual battle fought between two communities, ayllu, or other cohorts that normally interact in friendly relationships. Although a ritual or mock battle, real fighting takes place and injuries, sometimes deaths, result. In recent years, authorities have attempted to regulate the fighting to some extent and reduce the physical injuries. The Tinku battle occurs as part of a festival with dancing, drinking and general merrymaking. The Tinku mock battle is also represented in native dances such as those performed at Carnaval de Oruro. In the case of the dances, brightly costumed dancers face off, appear to struggle, throw each other to the ground and roll around, but no one suffers any lasting harm.

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