Abstract

BUTTO, Ana  and  FIORE, Danae. Body ornaments and gender in the ethnographic photographs of Yámana/Yagán. Universitas [online]. 2017, n.27, pp.67-92. ISSN 1390-8634.  https://doi.org/10.17163/uni.n27.2017.3.

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.

Keywords : Photography; indigenous people; Yámana; body ornament; gender; artifact.

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