During my time travelling America, I was fortunate enough to get a chance to visit a Native America reservation, something that had always been a dream of mine. The location was stunning and was rich with history and culture. Our group of young Brits were given a tour around the vast, warm dessert in a jeep that sped over sand dunes by a Native American tour guide who truly was amazing. Not only for the fact he had such an in depth knowledge which you could see he cared enormously about but of the history but also because he was just hilarious.
We visited ancient caves and lied down in the golden sand to look up at cliff faces that looked like eagles. However the greatest part of the tour was the moment I got a chance to get my hair styled in a Native American fashion.
Hair and the way it is styled has for the Native American people, as it is for other cultures around the world, greatly significant. If you have ever seen an old photograph of the people you can see their hair to be incredibly long, sometimes floor-length. The meaning behind the long hair and the styling is related to culture, identity and spirituality.
Keeping the hair long is a sign of health and vitality. Keeping the hair braided keeps it strong and protected. It is said that a single strand of hair by it's self is weak, however when the hair is in a braid it is all together strong and protected. Just like the family, if a person is alone they may become weak, but if you are connected to your roots and family you are kept strong. Another story is that if your hair is left lose your thoughts become scattered and tangled, however if it is styled your thoughts remain strong and protected.
It is also about bonding, a way to look after one another and show care. Brushing and braiding another persons hair within your family or tribe demonstrates affection, keeping the person well groomed. Within the image below my hair was styled in to a Tsiiyeel, it is a tight, secure bun style.
Sadly over the years due to the discrimination against the Native American people, they have been forced to conform to modern Americas idea for hair and many have been and still are being made to cut their long hair in order to get a job or be accepted within the education system. Cutting the hair is something of great sadness to the Native people as the hair is of great significance to them, it is not just a style but it is part of their body, mind and spirit, it is a signifier of their identity and culture. It is one of the last pieces of heritage that they can still claim, that even to this day is being taken away from them.
Ultimately long hair is of great importance to the Native American people and I hope that more and more understanding and awareness grows towards this fact.
Comments