Photographer Irina Werning has spent nearly two decades traveling through Latin America, focused on documenting women with exceptionally long hair. Her series, “Las Pelilargas,” captures an Indigenous tradition that emphasizes cultural heritage and pride. The project highlights not only the aesthetic appeal but also the deeper cultural connections associated with long hair in the region.
The Significance of Long Hair in Latin American Culture
According to Werning, women in small towns often cite personal preference for maintaining long hair. However, she notes that the deeper cultural significance is rooted in ancestral beliefs, where hair is seen as a manifestation of one’s essence and connection to the earth. This belief considers hair as an embodiment of life itself.
A Collection of Captured Traditions
Werning’s new book, “Las Pelilargas,” published by GOST Books, features nearly 90 images. The collection begins with her first meeting with long-haired women in 2006, while photographing the Indigenous Kolla community in Argentina. Her photographs span 18 years, concluding in 2024, and document the evolution and persistence of this cultural practice.
GOST Books explains that Irina Werning spent months in isolated mountain towns, posting signs in schools, hospitals, and markets and organizing hair competitions to find women with long hair. These efforts reveal that the traditions associated with long hair continue to thrive, symbolizing both continuity and quiet defiance.
Readers interested in unique photography projects might also enjoy Rania Matar’s portraits of Lebanese women or learn about NASA’s expansive collection of photos from the Artemis II mission. “Las Pelilargas” is available on Bookshop. Werning’s work may also interest fans of Celia D. Luna’s series, “Cholitas Bravas.”
Irina Werning’s ‘Las Pelilargas’: 18 Years of Capturing Cultural Legacy
