Mennonites

Jorge Mónaco (1957)

Detailed ethnographic documentation exploring traditional Mennonite lifestyles, highlighting cultural identity, community practices, and self-sufficient living.

Description

In Mennonites (Spanish: Menonitas) Jorge Mónaco documents the traditions and way of life of Mennonite communities in Argentina. Beginning in 2002, this project developed over nearly a decade as he expanded his engagement with documentary work, deepening his focus on their cultural identity and daily experiences.

The Mennonites, an Anabaptist denomination that migrated from Europe and North America in the early 20th century, established self-sufficient colonies in rural Argentina, maintaining a way of life separate from mainstream society and modern technology. While interaction with outsiders is limited, Mónaco was able to build relationships within the community over time. He lived among them in Santiago del Estero, shared meals, and observed daily routines, allowing him to document aspects of Mennonite life that are not often publicly seen. His work includes family rituals, school environments, and communal gatherings, offering a visual record of their traditions and social structures. Through this immersive approach, the project examines cultural continuity, identity, and daily practices within the community.

Working in black-and-white, Mónaco utilizes three distinct film formats to refine his documentary and observational approach. He employs 35mm (2:3) for dynamic, candid moments, square format (1:1) for structured, deliberate framing, and panoramic (2:5) with a Noblex camera to stretch the horizon and vast openness of the Argentine Pampas. Natural light enhances textures and shadows, deepening the sensory experience of rural life.

After years of fieldwork, Mennonites first circulated with a solo at Sala La Polaroid, Cádiz (2020), followed by finalist showings at the Indian Photo Festival, State Art Gallery, Hyderabad (2020, 2021). It received a "Highly Commended" in the BarTur Photo Award (Unity & Diversity, 2022), and in 2023 was selected for PhEST (Monopoli, "Being Human") and included in the BarTur Award exhibition at Instytut Fotografii Fort, Warsaw.

Behind the work

Jorge Mónaco photographed a Mennonite double wedding, capturing the moment when the couples gathered with friends for a quiet pre-wedding gathering. Unlike Western-style bachelor parties, this tradition involves simply sitting and talking in a reflective setting rather than lively celebrations. Mónaco observed that the couples first take their seats, then their friends and family join them, leading up to the wedding, which takes place the following Sunday, their day of rest.

Mónaco’s documentation of a Mennonite Sunday service at 5 AM took an unexpected turn when he arrived two minutes late and had to remain outside. From this vantage point, he captured a panoramic image of horse-drawn carriages neatly arranged in front of the church, offering a unique glimpse into the community’s traditions.

Mennonite schools and churches enforce gender separation, a practice that also appears in family portraits. Mónaco noticed that men and women positioned themselves on opposite sides, a habit shaped from an early age.

Traditional Mennonites do not use modern technology such as phones, electricity, or cars, instead relying on horse-drawn carriages. When they needed to reach Mónaco, they either visited in person or sent messages through others.

Quotes by the photographer

"I don’t know if my photographs of the Mennonites are different, but I do know they reflect a particular experience. It wasn’t just a matter of framing; it was about time, coexistence, and respect. Most visitors observe them from a distance, without delving too deeply into their lives. Rarely is someone invited into their homes, and when it happens, it is usually only for a few minutes. But this kind of bond requires time. And for trust to exist, one must be sincere, be oneself, and, above all, be respectful."

"I became very close to them and lived among them. I couldn’t participate in the harvest, and while they worked and earned their livelihood, I photographed them. They accepted me in a way they rarely grant to outsiders. In certain verses of the New Testament, it is warned that one should not worship images, only God. For this reason, they also regard photographs as images, and therefore, something to be avoided. However, over time, they began to accept me."

"My initial interest in the Mennonites arose from religious motives. The Mennonite colonies (Old Colony) are theocratic societies whose origins trace back to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Menno Simons, who had once been a Catholic priest, later became an Anabaptist preacher and led a group of families who, over time, would wander through various regions of the world. As the years passed, another aspect began to captivate me and eventually fascinated me: their ethnographic richness."

"I became very close to Gerhard, who at that time was the schoolteacher of the Mennonite colony in Pampa de los Guanacos, in the province of Santiago del Estero. I began by photographing his family, especially his many children. Gerhard was a man of a lively and kind-hearted spirit. Once, he told me: 'You don’t need to explain anything to us. I see your face and I trust you. That’s why we let you in. Your face lights up with happiness when you take photos in the colonies. That says everything about you.'"

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