India:
Reading 'Hair, Devotion and Trade in India', a chapter
of ‘Hair: Styling, Culture and Fashion’ by Eiluned Edwards, I discovered many different popular
and religious concepts with the way hair is seen and treated. In India it is a
very popular trait for the women to keep their hair uncut and men to remain
facially unshaven. It is apparent that “groomed hair is means of indicating
social conformity”. According to the story of Draupadi, she feels completely
humiliated and violated as she is discovered “clad in a single piece of cloth
with her hair loose after bathing”. It shocks me that “loosened” hair can be
regarded as such a shameful act.
In Hindu tradition, hair is
traditionally “kept uncut” and will be “restrained in a plait, or a bun,
covered by a veilcloth”. This is because “unbound and dishevelled hair is the
sign of a widow, the insane, of unrestrained sexually and of menstruating women”.
From this information given, it has become apparent to me that loose hair is a
sign of uncleanliness and poor respect of yourself or personal appearance.
By contrast, Kali, “the most
exemplary goddess of dishevelled hair” is a popular and highly worshipped
figure in West Bengal, and all associations are very positive. Also, Lord Shiva
is a positively worshipped figure who sports “dreadlocks” yet is described at “well
groomed”. Images show Lord Shiva “whose matted hair the waters of the sacred
Ganga are said to flow”.
Traditionally, the shaving of the
head occurs when there is a fatality in the family and the removal of the hair
is said to purify the mourners from “the influence of death and ghosts”. The
removal of this hair is performed by a barber who will get commonly called “untouchable”.
In the early 1990s, there was a
high demand in hair extensions in Western countries. In India, the hair
supplied for the extensions could provide them with a “thousand rupees per foot
of hair”. Unfortunately because of the great wealth that hair could offer,
women were attacked with multiple muggings for their hair, leaving them
hairless and ashamed.
Geraldine Biddle-Perry, Sarah Cheang, Eiluned Edwards, 1 December 2008, Hair: Styling, Culture and Fashion - Hair, Devotion and Trade in India.
Japan:
In Japan, there is a large Video Game and Anime Character culture where hairstyles are exotic and elaborately coloured. Many Japanese people desire these hairstyle, but they cannot change their hair because of their jobs. This is where wigs come into play, as "wigs bridge the gap between make-believe and the real world".
In the 1990s, there was a massive influx of people, mainly school girls, bleaching their hair. This was seen as a "method of protest" because of how strict their uniform was.
In Japan, hairstyles are a way of showing someone's individual style, just like how people express themselves through fashion. "Hair is how people in Japan express not only who they are, but all they aspire to be."
Ancient Egyptians:
Viewed 17.10.14 [online image]
Available at: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/c8/99/c8/c899c8f86a9ae09ac1674c2070e35287.jpg
Viewed 17.10.14 [online image]
Available at: http://www.emotioninpictures.com/hindu-indian-wedding-ravi-veena/
Japan:
In Japan, there is a large Video Game and Anime Character culture where hairstyles are exotic and elaborately coloured. Many Japanese people desire these hairstyle, but they cannot change their hair because of their jobs. This is where wigs come into play, as "wigs bridge the gap between make-believe and the real world".
In the 1990s, there was a massive influx of people, mainly school girls, bleaching their hair. This was seen as a "method of protest" because of how strict their uniform was.
In Japan, hairstyles are a way of showing someone's individual style, just like how people express themselves through fashion. "Hair is how people in Japan express not only who they are, but all they aspire to be."
Brian Ashcraft, 2011, The Wild, Wonderful
World of Japanese Hair. Viewed 16.10.14. Available at: http://kotaku.com/5868347/the-wild-wonderful-world-of-japanese-hair
Viewed 17.10.14 [online image]
Available at: http://dreamsicleheart.tumblr.com/post/78723974597
Ancient Egyptians:
Hair in Ancient Egypt often
varied, and their appearance signified their social status, age and gender.
Children would have their heads shaved or hair cut short leaving just one lock
of long hair on the side of the head called a “side-lock of youth.” Men kept
their hair fairly short, keeping their ears visible. Another distinctive style
was short curls, which covered the ears. This was not natural and was created
using a curling process. Men with higher social status’s and with more wealth
would shave their heads and wear wigs.
There was much more variation
when it came to women’s hair. Hair would be “smooth, close coiffure, a natural
wave and long curl”. Again, depending on status and wealth their hair would
differ. Old Kingdom women would have a sharp and short cut bob kept at chin
length, and New Kingdom women would have longer hair, often wigs. They would
decorate their hair using flowers and ribbons. The most popular choice of
flower was “Lotus blossom”.
Ancient Eqypt, Ancient Egyptian:
hair and beauty, viewed 16.10.14. Available at: http://purchasereq.tripod.com/id9.html
Viewed 17.10.14 [online image]
Available at: http://marlonobrandono.tumblr.com/post/40529251889/cleopatra-1963
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