Over the past two decades, the Argentinian photographer Irina Werning has traveled around Latin America with a specific directive in mind: find women — and eventually, men — with the longest hair. Titled “Las Pelilargas,” or “The Long-haired Ones,” the body of work celebrates the shared cultural reverence for long tresses across the region, in both small Indigenous communities and urban centers. In her interviews with the people she met and photographed, Werning heard many personal reasons for growing and maintaining ultra-long hair, but connecting stories was often its role in cultural identity and ancestral traditions. “The true reason is invisible and passes from generation to generation,” Werning writes on her website. “It’s the culture of Latin America, where our ancestors believed that cutting hair was cutting life, that hair is the physical manifestation of our thoughts and our souls and our connection to the land.” At the PhotoVogue festival in Milan earlier this month, Werning exhibited the final chapter in the series, called “La Resistencia,” which features portraits of Indigenous Kichwa living in Otavalo, Ecuador. “I was very intrigued by how it would be to photograph men after so many years of photographing women,” she explained on a phone call with CNN — particularly as long hair is often associated with femininity. Werning’s extensive body of work began in the Andes. As she was photographing schools around Argentina’s Indigenous Kolla community in the northwest, during her travels she encountered women with exceptionally long hair, and took their images. “I went back to Buenos Aires, and these pictures were haunting me,” Werning recalled. “So I decided to go back to these small towns.” In the absence of widely used social media platforms in 2006, she put up signs that said she was searching for long-haired women for artistic purposes. As she traveled to more places, she organized long-hair competitions to bring more women together. “Slowly, the project started to grow,” she said. She completed the work in February 2024 with the images in “La Resistencia.” A symbol of identity In different parts of the world, braids have become powerful symbols of identity as well as defiance against colonialism and systemic racial injustice. In the Kichwa community, as in other Indigenous groups in North and South America, men and boys wear long braids to reclaim the tradition after a history of forced hair cutting during Spanish colonial rule and pressures to assimilate, Werning said. “Braids in Indigenous communities are a form of resistance, in a way, because conquerors would cut (them),” she said. “The braid was a symbol of identity, of unity. It’s more difficult to take away someone’s language, but this is a very symbolic act that’s very easy to do.” In one image from “La Resistencia,” sisters, dressed in traditional white blouses, gather at a table as their father braids their brother’s hair. Werning said when the father, RUMInawi Cachimuel, was young, his family cut his braids so that he wouldn’t face discrimination at school. But now, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining Kichwa traditions to his children, from their clothing and music to their hair, she explained. “We’ve fought hard for our braids; it was a lengthy struggle to proudly showcase our braids,” Cachimuel told Werning in a translated interview. “As people, we’ve endured significant hardships. Now, I teach my children that they must learn from our ancestors and pass down to future generations what it means to be Kichwa.” In another portrait, a father and his two boys stand in a line, braiding each other’s hair, which only direct relatives are allowed to do, she explained. “Las Pelilargas” will be published as a book later this year. As the series comes to a close, Werning says she’s returned to some places she visited early on, wondering if they had been impacted by any major cultural shifts, like the rise of social media platforms. “As a photographer, we are kind of pessimistic, (thinking) ‘this is something disappearing, so I need to document it,’ and in a way it’s true because globalization really does change communities,” she said. But in the small towns in northern Argentina, where she first began the project, she was happy to find the opposite was true: Las pelilargas were still everywhere.
In Ecuador’s mountains, a photographer’s search for ultra-long hair
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"Argentinian Photographer Explores Cultural Significance of Long Hair in Latin America"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Over the past twenty years, Argentinian photographer Irina Werning has embarked on a unique journey across Latin America, focusing on individuals with ultra-long hair. Her project, titled "Las Pelilargas" or "The Long-haired Ones," highlights the cultural significance of long hair among various communities, from small Indigenous groups to urban populations. Through her interviews and portraits, Werning discovered that many people grow and maintain their long hair as a vital part of their cultural identity and ancestral traditions. She emphasizes that in Latin American culture, hair is seen as a physical representation of one's thoughts, soul, and connection to the land. This deep-rooted belief stems from the idea that cutting hair symbolizes cutting life, a sentiment passed down through generations. Recently, at the PhotoVogue festival in Milan, she showcased the final chapter of her series, "La Resistencia," which features portraits of Indigenous Kichwa individuals from Otavalo, Ecuador. Werning expressed her curiosity about photographing men for the first time in this series, as long hair is often associated with femininity in many cultures.
Werning's journey into this project began in the Andes when she encountered women with remarkably long hair while photographing schools in Argentina's Indigenous Kolla community. Initially motivated by these striking images, she returned to these communities, utilizing signs to seek out long-haired individuals for her artistic endeavors. Over the years, she organized long-hair competitions to foster a sense of community among participants. The culmination of her work will be published as a book later this year. The series not only captures the beauty of long hair but also addresses its historical significance as a form of resistance against colonialism. In Kichwa culture, long braids represent a reclaiming of identity after centuries of oppression, where forced hair cutting was a means of cultural assimilation. As she concludes her project, Werning reflects on the impact of globalization and social media on these traditions, finding that in some of the small towns she revisited, the cultural practices surrounding long hair remain vibrant and resilient, demonstrating a continued reverence for this aspect of their identity.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a unique exploration of cultural identity through the lens of hair, focusing on Argentinian photographer Irina Werning's project aimed at celebrating long hair in Latin American societies. By documenting the stories of individuals with ultra-long hair, Werning highlights the deep cultural significance attached to hair, particularly in Indigenous communities.
Cultural Significance of Hair
Werning’s project underscores the importance of long hair in cultural traditions across Latin America. It reflects a connection to ancestry and identity, where hair symbolizes life and spiritual essence. The narrative emphasizes how hair is intertwined with cultural beliefs and personal histories. This focus on cultural identity aims to foster appreciation for Indigenous traditions and promote understanding among broader audiences.
Artistic Endeavor and Community Engagement
The photographer's approach involved not just capturing images but actively engaging with communities. Through competitions and grassroots outreach, Werning created a platform for women to celebrate their heritage and express their identities. This participatory aspect of her work helps to build a sense of community, reinforcing the project's cultural relevance.
Potential Societal Impacts
The article suggests that the visibility of such cultural expressions can enhance awareness of Indigenous issues, potentially leading to greater advocacy for their rights and recognition. By shedding light on these traditions, the project may influence perceptions of cultural diversity in Latin America, promoting a richer understanding of its heritage.
Target Audience and Support
The narrative appeals to audiences interested in arts, culture, and social issues, particularly those who value inclusivity and diversity. This project may resonate more with communities that prioritize the celebration of cultural heritage and identity.
Market and Economic Implications
While the article does not directly address economic aspects, raising awareness of cultural heritage might indirectly influence tourism and local economies in regions featured in the project. Photographic exhibitions can attract visitors, fostering economic opportunities for local communities.
Global Relevance
Although the focus is on Latin America, the themes of cultural identity and heritage have global resonance, particularly in discussions around Indigenous rights and representation. The project aligns with contemporary conversations about social justice and cultural preservation.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The piece appears credible, supported by Werning's extensive experience and the cultural significance of her work. The emphasis on personal stories adds depth, suggesting that the article aims to inform rather than manipulate. There are no apparent attempts to mislead or obscure information.
In conclusion, the article offers a meaningful insight into the cultural significance of long hair in Latin America, championing the narratives of Indigenous communities while fostering appreciation for their traditions and identities.