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Traditional Long Hair

Traditional Long Hair

Do most Natives still have the Traditional Long Hair? Is it 'expected' of them or have Tribes become more liberal?

Hair Long Traditional

I actually would like to ask if anyone knows why Native Americans traditionally have long hair? I originally thought that it was religious purpose, but a website in which a shaman answers some questions says that is not the case. I suppose it must then be primarily for aesthetic reasons, but I really don't know. Also, not all Natives had long hair, some kept their hair short. Often I think the perception is that all Natives have or had long hair.

Traditional Long Hair History & Civil Business Politics

Long hair wasn't traditional for every tribe. In my tribes, women are supposed to have long hair, but the men are not. In most of the Western tribes, men and women are known for their long hair. The only reason we natives keep our hair long (and yes, most of us still do) is because long hair is considered beautiful hair. In my tribes, the women only cut their hair when they're in mourning, so that is why mine is so short right now.

Hair Long Traditional

I am sorry for your loss. How short is short in mourning? Long hair is beautiful and the Aboriginals do have some very health long hair.

Hair Long Traditional

Thank you.

I think it really depends on your personal preference. I know people who have cut their hair all the way to their ears in mourning before. My hair was down to my mid-back, and it's about two inches below my shoulders now. I cut 5 ot 6 inches off, I guess.

Traditional Long Hair

Do American Indian women dye their hair or is it always the same natural color? I also noticed with the men it is the two extremes: long like the women or skinhead, is that just a fashion preference?

Traditional Long Hair

Just like in every other culture, some native women dye their hair. Obviously, it isn't traditional in probably any of the tribes. My grandmother prefers to dye her hair blonde, but I wouldn't dye my hair. It's really just a personal preference.

Native men have as many different hairstyles as the men of other cultures. Less traditional Indian men cut their hair in modern styles. The more traditional men either wear their hair long, or shave their heads so that only some hair in the middle is left. THAT depends on what tribe they are from. I have noticed men of the Western tribes usually wore their hair long, and men in the Eastern tribes (particularly the Southeast) often shaved their heads. So no, that's not a fashion preferance, it is from tribal traditions. However, I have seen every kind of hairstyle there is on our men and women. Many people believe we all have long black hair down to our waists, and that is simply not so. What I would like to stress is that though we are proud of our past and keep our old traditions, we also live in a modern world and many of us keep up to date with the latest hair trends and such. We don't all look or think the same.

Long Hair on an American Indian Man
Shorter Hair
Partly Shaven Hairstyle
More Modern Hairstyles

Traditional Long Hair Politics Business Civil & History

As Kamama has said, different tribes had different traditional hair styles. Women usually had long hair. In present times many men and women keep long hair styles, but some choose to cut their hair for fashion reasons. I have seen some native men wear their traditional hair styles also. Let's not forget where the Mohawk hairstyle came from either.