Why Indigenous boys and men wear braids | CBC News (2024)

FAQs

Why Indigenous boys and men wear braids | CBC News? ›

CBC Indigenous asked readers why they choose to wear braids. For some, braids are a symbol of strength, wisdom, and are something that reflects their identity. Many of our readers stated the braid has a cultural significance, and many felt a connection to the creator, their ancestors and the earth.

Cultural Legacy: For generations, Indigenous people have worn braids as a sacred part of their identity. It connects us to our ancestors and traditions. Colonial Impact: During the dark chapter of residential schools, Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and had their hair cut short.

Historically, various tribes braided their hair to signify their background, geographic origin, social status, age, marital status, and a host of other things.

Throughout history, braiding has been used for several reasons—from defining tribes, social status, and other societal classifications to mapping escape routes for slaves. This tradition of carefully intertwining tresses has been passed down through generations and become an integral part of Black and African cultures.

Men and Braids

In many of these cultures, braided hairstyles were not gender-specific. For example, in Africa, where I grew up, braids were a symbol of strength and wisdom, worn by both men and women. By choosing braids, men are not just following a trend; they are connecting with a rich historical legacy.

For Indigenous people, our hair connects us to our heritage and our ancestors, but also to the creator and earth. Braided hair is symbolic of strength, wisdom and honouring ancestors. I've talked to Indigenous parents who deeply bonded with their children when braiding their hair while imparting life's teachings.

In some cases, men may braid their hair in elaborate styles, with each braid representing a different aspect of their marital and familial responsibilities. Men with 2 braids usually represent marriage, while 1 means unmarried.

Studies of the instructions about women and wives in 1 Timothy and 1 Peter have acknowledged that the exhortations not to braid hair, wear gold, pearls or expensive clothes are consistent with the general Graeco-Roman male emphasis upon female modesty and criticism of female adornment.

Since your hair is on your head, it holds a lot of your mental and spiritual energy. Creating a small braid that's been influenced by your own positive vibes protects this sacred energy. The protection braid is a symbol of positivity that guards you from negative frequencies.

“Braids have been impressionable throughout history,” says Sims. “The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BC—they were very popular among women.” “Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia,” says Pace.

Why do Chinese men wear braids? ›

The Manchu hairstyle signified all ethnic groups submission to Qing rule, and also aided the Manchu identification of those Han who refused to accept Qing dynasty domination. The hairstyle was compulsory for all males and the penalty for non-compliance was execution for treason.

In India, too, braids have been around for centuries, and coil-like plaits have been found in figures from the Harappan civilization of South Asia, a Bronze Age society dating from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE.

Evidence suggests that Afro hair braiding started with the Himba people in what is now modern-day Namibia. It's believed that across the African continent, braiding patterns were used to identify tribe, age, wealth, marital status and religion.

Another common myth asserts that Native American hair is universally straight. However, this oversimplification ignores the fact that the texture of Native American hair is far from uniform. Many Native Americans have wavy or "s-wave" hair, which showcases the rich diversity within indigenous populations.

In some Native American cultures, cutting hair can signify the loss of a loved one. It can be a way of releasing grief and symbolizing a deep personal loss. Some tribes believe that the hair holds memories and cutting it can help release those memories and the associated pain.