Long hair in Otavalo serves as a profound cultural symbol, representing ancestral ties, a continuity of traditions, and a collective resilience against historical trauma.
Braids, particularly in Indigenous communities, signify resistance and strength, rooted in the traumatic history of forced hair cutting during the Spanish conquests.
For many in Otavalo, keeping long hair is not merely a tradition; it is a statement of identity and cultural pride passed through generations.
Walter Ianberla emphasizes that maintaining long hair is crucial for cultural perseverance, stating, "As long as we continue with our customs, the culture endures."
Collection
[
|
...
]