These images capture the Mennonites of Manitoba in their everyday lives, now struggling to erase a recent painful past and continue to live their lives separate from the outside world. Horse-drawn buggies, farmhouses with manicured lawns and fields planted to the horizon with soybeans and sorghum. Mennonites have tended to lead quiet, dedicated, religiously inspired lives. They are known for their espousal of non-violence. The Mennonites settled in eastern Bolivia's farmlands more than 50 years ago. The Tranquility of the Mennonite settlement of Manitoba in eastern Bolivia was transformed into fear and confusion when, this past June, suspicions were confirmed that at least 100 women and girls were raped by members of their community.
The Tranquility of the Mennonite settlement of Manitoba in eastern Bolivia was
transformed into fear and confusion when, this past
June, suspicions were confirmed that at least 100 women and girls were raped by
members of their community.
The accused, ranging in age from 18 to 41 years old, targeted the women in the
community's homes,
They sprayed a narcotic substance that rendered the women unconscious and then
raped them.
Now many teenage victims fear they are unable to marry because the
Mennonite community requires that its women remain virgins until marriage in order to
retain the respect of their peers.
These events have shaken this conservative colony to its core
Manitoba is located about 152 kilometers (94 miles) northeast of the city of Santa Cruz
with a population of about 3,000.
Horse-drawn buggies, farmhouses with manicured lawns and fields planted to the
horizon with soybeans and sorghum.
Mennonites have tended to lead quiet, dedicated, religiously inspired lives. They are
known for their espousal of non-violence.
They live simply, dress plainly and refuse to use many modern conveniences.
They trace their spiritual ancestry to a 16th century European preacher named Menno
Simons, whose followers became known as Mennonites.
Today, some 60,000 Mennonites call Bolivia their home. Their colonies are broad
expanses of land given to them by the Bolivian government.
This is where they live and work, sheltered by the government's promise of freedom of
religion,
exemption from military service, and the privilege of running their own schools.
These images capture the Mennonites of Manitoba in their everyday lives, now
struggling to erase a recent painful past and continue to live
their lives separate from the outside world