The history of a distinct shaved head and boots & braces wearing subculture in Peru doesn’t start until the early 1990s, even though there were isolated sightings during the legendary 80s ‘subterranean rock’ scene in Lima. Economic conditions, isolation and misconceived public notions nurtured a true working-class based skinhead movement, small in numbers, but big in committed ideals. Taking a cue from legit sources, they sought to preserve the original ethos of this movement without ignoring the reality of day-to-day life in Peru. A class-based caste system has been the norm for centuries in this country, and the recent pandemic has exacerbated these differences to a boiling point. The skins in Peru realise that it’s not just fashion and music that fuels them but also protest, whether political dissent or direct action on the streets, that makes this movement a vital subculture dedicated to radical change.
I spoke to Mendo (visual artist and original member of the first skinhead collective in Lima) and Abraham (singer of Ultima Amenaza) about the history and current state of the scene. For more info follow their Cronicas Skinhead Peru page on Facebook.
Freddy Alva
This article appears in the newly released Oi! The Black Book Volume 2: https://urbanstylesnyc.bigcartel.com/product/oi-the-black-book-vol-2
When is the beginning of the skinhead movement in Perú and who are the first skinheads seen in Lima?
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