Conquering waves and many taboos
Riding the waves of change: Sea Sisters at a training session
I want to stress that girls love to do things, but they feel they are being restricted by their societies and families,” says Munira Mutaher, the Sri Lankan photographer whose images of the Sea Sisters, a group of women surfers in Weligama is the focus of a new exhibition linked to the 2024 Paris Olympics which opens in July.
It all came about as the French Embassy to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the Alliance Française de Colombo joined in an international photography project by the French photographer Emilien Buffrad titled ‘Sport Friendly: The Field of Diversity’, with Munira highlighting the journey of the Sea Sisters, capturing the essence of their empowerment nurtured in the vibrant surf culture along the south coast.
Munira fully immersed herself in the journey, travelling with the Alliance Française team over the weekends to Weligama, to join their land training sessions and playing icebreaker games with them. She also learned to surf and shared in its thrill alongside them.
Through these interactions, she says she gleaned profound lessons from the Sea Sisters’ stories. Each woman had her own motivation and reason for embracing surfing—a journey shaped by personal challenges and aspirations. The project illuminated how sports, particularly surfing, transcends mere leisure, becoming a catalyst for personal growth and community empowerment.
Portraits of choice: Deciding how they wanted to dress and pose
Munira also emphasised just how important this project is, for what lies at its core is its potential to redefine societal norms and perceptions.
“The Sea Sisters decided themselves what clothes and accessories to wear, for they knew how they would like to be perceived. For many of them, surfing was once considered inaccessible—a sport dominated by foreigners. By showcasing these women embracing surfing with passion and skill, the project aims to dismantle stereotypes and inspire a new generation of female athletes across Sri Lanka and highlight how sport can bring them together,” she told the Sunday Times.
Over the past six years, Munira has embarked on numerous documentary ventures, delving into the impacts of long-standing conflicts and the evolving relationship between humanity and nature. However, the collaboration with the Sea Sisters was an exciting experience for the photographer—a foray into a project with a distinct directive crafted by French photographer Emilien Buffard that brought together photographers from diverse corners of the globe.
Reflecting on the impact of her role, Munira emphasizes the collaborative process of storytelling. By empowering the Sea Sisters to shape their portrayal through discussions on poses and emotions, the resulting images resonate with authenticity. The series captures their exuberance in the water, celebrating their joy and camaraderie as they conquer the waves, and express the best versions of themselves.
Beyond the visual aesthetics, Munira hopes the audience will grasp the deeper narrative—the stories of resilience, determination, and the quest for gender equality. As expressed in the Sea Sisters’ testimonials, the project aims to challenge societal boundaries and foster a culture where women and girls feel empowered to pursue their passions unhindered by convention.
As the Sea Sisters tread the waves of a better future for women in sport and beyond, Munira believes it is our duty to make space and encourage such waves of change.
The exhibition opened yesterday, June 29 at the Alliance Française de Colombo, 11, Barnes Place, Colombo 7 and will continue until July 20 from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Entrance is free.
Munira Mutaher: Sharing the thrills and spills of the Sea Sisters
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.