Las Pelilargas: A Photographic Tribute to Latin America’s Long-Haired Traditions

Over the past two decades, Argentinian photographer Irina Werning has traveled across Latin America with a unique mission: to find individuals with the longest hair. Her project, “Las Pelilargas” or “The Long-haired Ones,” captures the deep cultural significance of long hair in both Indigenous and urban communities. Through her journey, Werning uncovered personal stories that connect long hair to identity, heritage, and ancestral traditions.

She describes how, for many, hair embodies more than just aesthetics—it represents a link to the past, a spiritual connection to the land, and a symbol of resilience. “The true reason is invisible and passes from generation to generation,” she explains. Many Indigenous beliefs regard cutting hair as severing one’s life force, making it a profound emblem of continuity.

Werning’s project began in the Andes while photographing schools in Argentina’s Indigenous Kolla community. She was struck by the presence of women with extraordinary hair length and felt compelled to return and document more. In 2006, with social media still in its infancy, she resorted to posting notices seeking long-haired women for artistic portraits. As her project expanded, she even organized long-hair competitions to bring people together. Over time, “Las Pelilargas” grew into a large-scale photographic chronicle that she completed in February 2024 with her final series, “La Resistencia.”

Long braids carry immense cultural weight beyond aesthetic appeal. Throughout history, Indigenous communities in North and South America have used hair as a form of resistance against colonial oppression. Spanish conquerors often cut Indigenous people’s braids as an act of forced assimilation, making hair a potent symbol of defiance. In the Kichwa community of Otavalo, Ecuador, men and boys now reclaim this tradition by proudly wearing long braids, countering historical attempts to erase their identity.

One of Werning’s images captures a father braiding his son’s hair, a meaningful act once discouraged. The father, RUMInawi Cachimuel, experienced discrimination in school for his braids, leading his family to cut them. Now, he ensures his children embrace Kichwa customs, including their clothing, music, and hair. In another portrait, a father and his sons stand in a line, braiding each other’s hair—an intimate gesture reserved for direct relatives.

As Werning revisited places from her early travels, she expected to witness cultural shifts due to globalization. Instead, she found that the tradition of “Las Pelilargas” remains strong, proving that some customs withstand the test of time.

READ MORE:

• Exploring the Tradition and Modern Views on Rice Water as a Hair Treatment
• China’s Rising Economic Power in Latin America: Some Key Trade Moves in 2023
• Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes Tops PEN America’s Most-Banned Books List