Hair holds significant cultural and spiritual meaning for many Native American tribes, with traditions surrounding its length, style, and care varying widely. From long, flowing locks to specific cuts and adornments, hair has served as a powerful symbol of identity, spirituality, and community connection. The traditions surrounding Native American hair length have evolved over time, influenced by historical events, cultural exchange, and the resilience of Indigenous communities.
Across many tribes, long hair is deeply revered. It signifies self-respect, self-esteem, and a connection to the community. For some, long hair is a physical manifestation of their spirit and a symbol of virtue. The length and care given to hair are seen as sacred, connecting individuals to their ancestors and representing a resilient spirit.
The Nlaka’pamux (Ingla-kap-ma) Indigenous peoples of Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village share that hair is a connection to the land, a source of strength, and a teaching passed down through generations. They believe that hair is their spirit.
Traditional Native American hairstyles were diverse, each carrying its own cultural significance.
For many Native Americans, allowing the hair to flow freely signifies the free flow of life.
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Many Native American beliefs tie hair to the earth and nature. Long hair is seen as symbolically connected to Mother Earth, whose hair is the long grasses. It is believed to be a physical manifestation of the growth of the spirit, allowing for extrasensory perception and connection to all things.
Some tribes believe that hair is connected to the nervous system, acting like tentacles that gather energy and information from the surrounding world.
Cutting hair often signifies a major life event or transition. Many tribes cut their hair when there is a death in the immediate family as an outward symbol of deep sadness and a physical reminder of the loss. The cut hair represents the time with their loved one, which is over and gone, and the new growth is the life after.
The cutting of hair can also signify separating from past actions or thoughts, or a new beginning, perhaps after a period of drug or alcohol abuse, to get rid of toxicity and negativity.
When Native Americans cut their hair, the hair is often treated with respect. It can be placed into a flowing river, buried, or burned.
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As a longstanding tradition, Choctaw people have worn their hair long for generations. The earliest European accounts from the Choctaw homeland (1540-1720) indicate that neighboring tribes called them Pashi Falaya, or the Long Hairs. While unusual among the other Southeastern tribes, it was common for Choctaw men to wear their hair long. Many men wore their hair to their shoulders with a longer lock of hair in front of their right ear. When traveling, this hairstyle aided in identifying the man as being Choctaw.
Choctaw people have adopted new hairstyles as their culture has changed through time. By the late 1700s, some Choctaw men had started wearing their hair shaved on the sides, with a longer part in the middle. It was common for Choctaw women to have their hair extend as far down as their calves; however, it was generally worn as a bun.
Choctaw men and women used bear fat to oil their hair. An old tradition for Choctaw men and women is shaving, cutting, or clipping a lock of hair when a loved one passes away. After the loved one passed, Choctaw women were known to wear their hair down throughout their mourning process.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, paintings and drawings by European artists depicted Choctaw men and a few Choctaw women with long hair. The tradition of wearing long hair continued well after removal to Indian Territory in the 1860s and later. Many pictures of Choctaw people in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Louisiana show Choctaws having long hair up into the 20th century.
Unfortunately, with the systematic deployment of boarding schools by the US Government, the tradition of long hair was taken, often without the consent of the family. The practice of cutting long hair upon entrance to boarding school was one of many tactics aimed to strip students of their own culture. In addition, some Choctaw people wanted to prove they could assimilate into American culture as “civilized” citizens capable of managing their own affairs. This assault on Choctaw identity would bring lasting consequences to the community.
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At the Indian Boarding Schools, for many Native American students, one of the most immediate and devastating experiences of forced assimilation was having their long hair cut immediately following their arrival.
Many Choctaw men and women today make a choice to wear their hair long. The association of the length and care they give to their hair was not lost in their community. Modern Choctaw people have led their communities on a journey of healing by embracing the sacredness of their own hair. Their hair carries their life story. They recognize that its length connects them to their ancestors through distant generations and its length is a reminder of their resilient spirit.
Many Native Americans continue to honor the tradition of long hair, viewing it as a symbol of their identity, spirituality, and cultural pride. Unique hairstyles like squash blossoms, forelocks, and tribal haircuts like roaches are often only worn at cultural events. While many traditional Native American hairstyles aren’t popular anymore, many tribal beliefs and traditions around hair are still alive.
Despite the continued importance of long hair in many Native American cultures, challenges to this tradition persist. One example is the case of a Waccamaw Siouan first-grader who was told by his school that his long hair, worn in a bun, violated the school's grooming standards. This incident highlights the ongoing need for education and understanding regarding the cultural significance of Native American hair.
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