Las Tapadas Limenas: The Hidden Women of Lima Who Veiled Everything But One Eye in the 19th Century

Images of people in typical local costume and vocations were among the standard offerings of any 19th century photographic studio. Many such themes are found in the cartes-de-visite produced in Peru during the 1860s, but by far the most important of these types was the tapada, the veiled one. The costume and manner of the tapada were peculiar even in Peru and were associated exclusively with Lima.

These days, society, including men and women, feel restricted by the fickle trends dictated from fashion’s elite. In Lima, however, there was a time when women felt freer, one could say, thanks to fashion and their choice to cover up. These women, who came to be known as Tapadas Limeñas, were even able to prevent a ban on their garments of choice: the saya (skirt) and manto (veil or wrap). The saya was an overskirt, worn tight at the waist and raised to show off feet and ankles. The manto was a thick veil fastened to the back of the waist; from there it was brought over the shoulders and head and drawn over the face so closely that all that was left uncovered was a small triangular space sufficient for one eye to peep through.

The Tapadas Limeñas were found exotic at that time and some men were even attracted by their mysterious appearance. As a consequence, the Church and some other laws prohibited these clothes. Still, women kept on wearing these clothes till deep in the 19th century. They believed it was ethical, but mainly because they didn’t want to give up their freedom.

Beautiful Pics Capture Street Scenes of Lima, Peru in the Mid-1970s

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima Metropolitan Area. Lima is the most populous metropolitan area of Peru and the third-largest city in the Americas, behind São Paulo and Mexico City.

Lima is home to one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the New World. The National University of San Marcos, founded in 1551, during the Spanish colonial empire, is the first officially established and the oldest continuously functioning university in the Americas.

Nowadays the city is considered as the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of the country. Internationally, it is one of the thirty most populated urban agglomerations in the world. Due to its geostrategic importance, it has been defined as a "beta" city.

These beautiful color pics were taken by Chris Protopapas during his first photography expedition, working on a Greek freighter that show street scenes of Lima in summer 1974.

Lima. Museo de los Monstruos, Peru, 1974

Lima, Peru, 1974

Lima. Chevy, Peru, 1974

Lima. Chicken Store, Peru, 1974

Lima. Courtyard, Peru, 1974

See more»

Lima 80 Years Ago – The Capital of Peru in the 1930s

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima Metropolitan Area. Lima is also the most populous metropolitan area of Peru, and the third largest city in the Americas, just behind São Paulo and Mexico City.

These vintage photos below are what Lima looked like 80 years ago.

See more»

Amazing Color Photographs of Everyday Life in Lima, Peru in the 1970s

Chris Protopapas is a Greek-Belgian who came to the United States at age 12, in 1967 and became an American in 1975. He got his first camera in 1974, an antique Nikon rangefinder, and has been photographing his home (New York City) and the world ever since.

These amazing color photos were taken by Chris, they documented everyday life of Lima, Peru in 1974.

See more»