FOLKLORISTAN | TWITTER THREADS
PRACTICES OF
BRAIDING HAIR
IN SOUTH AND
CENTRAL ASIA
In most parts of Pakistan, it is common for
young girls to braid their hair parted in the
centre with two braids. Older girls and
women however, tie up their hair in one
single braid. We share this trend with
Bangladesh and Maldives.
Kalasha women, however, a unique ethnic
group, wear several braids in their hair
throughout their lives. Little girls may wear
their hair in one or two braids, but older
women have more plaits.
Mongol maidens tie their hair in several
braids, but as they grow older, they make
two braids. Mongols see the hair as an
extension of the body, which is why
Mongol women cover their braids.
Uzbek, Tajik, and Kazakh women also plait
their hair into two or several braids as
young women and begin to make one or
two braids after they are married.
Uzbek women, after crossing the age of
80, or having lived 1000 lunar months, can
wear 40 braids once again, as a symbol of
honour!
In Zoroastrian belief, women kept their
hair plaited and covered, to ensure it does
not fall into an unclean or impure place.
The practice of covering hair was not
exclusively to women - men too, had to be
careful with hair fall.
