Sebastian Lopez Brach

Photographer

One Man Spoke Up

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Blas Jaime, originally from the...cting the language and culture.

Blas Jaime, originally from the Argentine coast, publicly revealed at the age of 71 that he is the last heir of the Chaná language, a Native American ethnicity in South America considered extinct for over 200 years, with scant known information. Pedro Viegas Barros, a researcher and linguist at CONICET, validated his language, and today he is recognized by UNESCO as the last Chaná speaker. Together, they embarked on the odyssey of reconstructing the language and culture.

The Chaná, a courage...d her granddaughter Evangelina.

The Chaná, a courageous ancestral community, were known as the "warriors of silence." Silence was essential for their survival, as it allowed them to stay alert to potential threats. They prohibited the crying of children, laughter, music, and even silenced dogs by cutting their vocal cords. The Chaná believed that nature spoke to them through silence and mysterious sounds. With the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, this already quiet community was further suppressed: they amputated the tongues of those claiming to be Chaná. Despite these attempts at silencing, the culture and heritage of the Chaná persist. Ederlinda Miguelina Yelón was the guardian of her culture and knowledge, keeping them in secret, but ultimately chose not to let them be lost, passing them on to her son Blas Jaime and her granddaughter Evangelina.

Chaná lullaby. Noteb...itial meetings with Blas Jaime.

Chaná lullaby. Notebook of linguist Pedro Viegas Barrios during his initial meetings with Blas Jaime.

The renowned linguist Pedro Vie...á speaker by UNESCO.

The renowned linguist Pedro Viegas Barrios was the first to study the case of Blas Jaime before he was recognized as the last Chaná speaker by UNESCO.

This nomadic people moved in se...and spirit. Barrancas Argentina

This nomadic people moved in search of proximity to waterways as a source of food and for their personal hygiene. The land and water were considered sacred, just like their bodies, spaces of life for the soul and spirit. Barrancas Argentina

Blas Jaime, originally from the...gnment for The Washington Post.

Blas Jaime, originally from the Argentine coast, publicly revealed at the age of 71 that he is the last heir of the Chaná language, a Native American ethnicity in South America considered extinct for over 200 years, with scant known information. Pedro Viegas Barros, a researcher and linguist at CONICET, validated his language, and today he is recognized by UNESCO as the last Chaná speaker. In the picture, Blas receives the caress of his daughter, Evangelina, who was declared the "Memory Keeper" of the language. In the background, a canvas painted with the mud from the area where the Chaná community lived. Assignment for The Washington Post.

An image by the painter Ruperto...ing in the waters of the river.

An image by the painter Ruperto Fernández Bonina depicting two Chaná individuals fishing in the waters of the river.

Jaguar skin (atíc ug... symbolized power or hierarchy.

Jaguar skin (atíc ug buní-ó ogaté). Anyone who wore clothing made from the skin of this magnificent feline symbolized power or hierarchy.

Gabriel Cepeda proudly raises t...ants of our islands and coasts.

Gabriel Cepeda proudly raises the Chaná flag in the wilderness. The artist and potter Gabriel Cepeda persists in the task of preserving the pottery of the Chaná community, a community that inhabited and still inhabits the region comprising the northern part of the province of Buenos Aires, the southern area of Santa Fe and Entre Ríos, as well as the Uruguayan coast of the Río de la Plata. The life of the Chanaes is closely linked to the river, and they were known for their remarkable production of decorated ceramics. Through his project "Oyén dén" (memory keeper), Cepeda stands as a valuable contributor to local culture by preserving the rich pottery tradition of the Chaná, who were the first inhabitants of our islands and coasts.

The Chaná people wer...re, Espinillo (Vachellia caven)

The Chaná people were very knowledgeable about the herbs (revá) found in the territory. In the picture, Espinillo (Vachellia caven)

Caiman tooth (agút-&...trading with other communities.

Caiman tooth (agút-ó). The Chaná consumed the meat of this animal and also used the skin for trading with other communities.

Pottery (Netéla). Th... Museum in the city of Rosario.

Pottery (Netéla). The Chaná crafted their pottery using clay they extracted from the vicinity of the rivers. When they relocated to a new area, women would break the pottery into small fragments and scatter them along the paths, as a way to return to the earth what it had provided and because they believed this action would ward off spirits. These pottery remains belong to the collection of the Marc Museum in the city of Rosario.

Anacahuita (Abipé ug...acute;) found in the territory.

Anacahuita (Abipé ug Tijuiném) is the sacred tree for the Chaná. They were very knowledgeable about the herbs (revá) found in the territory.

Ndiní Lantec (talkin...tative of the Chaná.

Ndiní Lantec (talking parrot). This species is highly representative of the Chaná.

Gabriel Cepeda takes a journey ...t and are still utilized today.

Gabriel Cepeda takes a journey with his students in the forest where the Chaná once lived, identifying the native plants that were used in the past and are still utilized today.

The women of the Chan&aacut...ooted traditions of this place.

The women of the Chaná community carried out a unique practice: when moving to a new territory, they deliberately broke the clay vessels they had used, scattering the fragments along the paths. This act symbolized a distancing from potential negative energies that could reside in the vessels. Nowadays, on the riverbanks where the Chaná used to dwell, remnants of their ancient pottery still endure, reminding us of the cultural richness and deep-rooted traditions of this place.

Native birds that inhabited the...e Chaná communities.

Native birds that inhabited the same territories as the Chaná communities.

Evangelina as a child alongside...d her granddaughter Evangelina.

Evangelina as a child alongside her grandmother Ederlinda Miguelina Yelón. Ederlinda Miguelina Yelón was the guardian of her culture and knowledge, keeping them in secret, but ultimately chose not to let them be lost, passing them on to her son Blas Jaime and her granddaughter Evangelina.

Evangelina Jaime (Ad&aacute... to prevent it from being lost.

Evangelina Jaime (Adá oyé ndén), the woman who preserves the memory of the Chaná people. She scatters her knowledge about Chaná culture like seeds to prevent it from being lost.

Map (apí) of a secti...d water were considered sacred.

Map (apí) of a section of the Paraná River. This nomadic people moved in search of proximity to waterways as a source of food and for their personal hygiene. The land and water were considered sacred.