![]() ![]() Today we are seeing a return to the more traditional styles and more women and men are growing their hair long and keeping it that way. And some have to rely on others to get the smooth, tight, stay together look that is the crowning glory of the perfect regalia.īeginning in the 1980s, French braids emerged as a trend for female dancers and I myself wore them because I had a short, layered haircut. ![]() Some people can do their own, like my daughter, who has enough hair for three people I swear. Look around the next powwow and you’ll see dozens of hands deftly braiding. But it takes much skill and practice to correctly fashion it whether for males or females. It helps that most Native people, especially powwow dancers, have abundant hair. Over the years I’ve been in awe of how powwow dancers can produce perfect hairstyles that can last through sun, wind, rain, and of course, dancing. By the way, hair that keeps breaking at the root will weaken the follicle until-here it comes-the hair that is produced has no pigment, and in other words, is white or gray. It’s a pretty simple pitch: Don’t use shampoo on your hair because it will dry it and that leads to dullness and breakage. I was watching an infomercial for the product Wen. Keeping the hair braided and wrapped such as with animal furs, strips of cloth or ribbon further protected the hair from dirt and damage. In addition, the natural products they may have used such as greases and earth based paints actually served to hydrate and nourish it. I’ve come to the theory-and professional hairstylists might agree with me-that part of the reason our ancestors’ hair was so magnificent and stayed that way was that they DIDN’T wash, comb, and fuss with it every day. And there are many historic photographs of middle-aged and older Native people who seem to have no gray hair, either! One lady of our Bitterroot Salish people believed that you should only wash your hair in a flowing stream (usually icy cold year-round) and never in a basin or tub and that would insure long, thick, hair which hers most definitely was. What also amazes me is the volume and color of our ancestors’ hair even among the aged. As I see pictures from long ago, I have to remember that our ancestors were using traditional products of the day and not today’s shampoos, conditioners, mousses, gels, and hairsprays nor curling irons, straightening irons, and blow dryers. Some were for practicality, others were decorative and others were ceremonial. In the old days when most of our people wore their traditional hairstyles, there were amazing creations and enhancements. It portrays our cultural identity, our values, and our beliefs. As Native people, we take pride in our hair. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |