Body ornaments and gender in the ethnographic photographs of Yámana/Yagán
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This work aims to discuss the contribution of the study of ethnographic photographs about the body adornments and the gender regulations of the Yámana/Yagán society of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina and Chile). Photography is understood as a cultural artifact that allows the rescue of multiple agencies,
considering that the elements included in the image –such as body ornaments–refer not only to the interests of the photographer but also to those of the photographed. In order to analyze these elements, 428 ethnographic photographs of Yamanas/Yaganes, obtained between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, were studied; of which 140 individuals were photographed carrying a total of 171 body ornaments between necklaces, bracelets and/or anklets. The link between type of ornament and gender of its wearer was analyzed, and it was found that necklaces were worn by both
women and men, while bracelets and anklets were worn by women. These results allow us to discuss the role of body ornaments in the construction and regulation of gender roles in Yámana/Yagán society. Simultaneously, the contribution of ethnographic photographs as artifacts of material culture is evaluated, which, by combining an anthropological and archaeological perspective, are relevant to produce new knowledge about the indigenous past.
Article Details
Universitas-XXI Journal aligns with the principles of open access and academic collaboration by adopting the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). This license ensures that published content can be used and shared widely under the following conditions:
Attribution: Authors and the journal must be appropriately credited as the original creators of the content, with full reference and a link to the publication provided.
Non-commercial use: Content may not be used for commercial purposes, preserving its academic and educational intent.
ShareAlike: Derivative works must be distributed under the same terms as this license, promoting the creation of accessible and equitable knowledge.
By implementing this license, the Universitas-XXI Journal strengthens its commitment to disseminating high-quality research, providing free access to knowledge, and fostering a collaborative environment among researchers, educators, and students worldwide.
This decision reflects core values of responsibility, ethics, and transparency in academia, ensuring that intellectual contributions serve as a foundation for new research and projects while respecting the rights of authors and the scientific community.
For more information about this license, please visit the following link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/"