The Day I became A Women by Newsha Tavakolian (February 12, 2010) 
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Curator Statement by The Black Snapper
When I contacted Newsha Tavakolian, she immediately agreed to feature her work here and sent me three different stories. We haven't met in person yet, but her enthousiasm makes me feel connected to her already. From her three stories I chose the one about her niece Romina's rite of passage into womenhood, because it has a level of intimacy that I find very touching. Newsha's work made me look back at Rania Matar's girl portraits presented here two days ago. Both photographers depict girls becoming women, but the difference between the two stories is striking. Matar's girls seem somewhat lost and lonely, much like how I felt at that stage. In Today's story, Romina seems happy and connected. Maybe that's the power of rituals, they can be reassuring in a time of insecurity and change. More of Newsha's work can be seen here: weblink. Margo de Beijer
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Romina (9) and her classmates are dressed in traditional white chadors to symbolize they are Angels. According to Shia Islamic traditions a girl becomes a woman in the ninth year of her life.
In Modern day Tehran girl schools organise special events to mark this moment, called the 'Jashne Taklif', which means 'celebration of responsibility'. After this events the 'women' have to start wearing the Islamic headscarf and manteau and start praying daily in the school.
For the children at my niece's school the event is symbolic, most of their parents aren't actively religious, still it is an important event.
The children are called ' Angels' and dressed up in similar attire complete with wings. They are women now.
Newsha Tavakolian (1981) lives and works in Tehran, Iran.
Click weblink newshatavakolian.com or browse our archives
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