From ancient times, the American Indians were distinguished by their original culture. The traditions and customs of the tribes were passed down from generation to generation, almost unchanged over the centuries. A characteristic difference between the Indians and representatives of other nationalities of the planet was their hairstyles, distinguished by a bright originality and an abundance of forms.
Hairstyles south american indians
The Indians of the tribes who inhabited South America before the advent of Europeans preferred to wear hairstyles resembling a European "haircut". To make such a work of hairdressing was quite simple. For this purpose, a suitable-sized vessel and tool were used, remotely resembling modern scissors.
If a special cutting device was not at hand, the Indians used other improvised tools. A small torch was used. The master who performed the “haircut” blew through the torch onto the “client” hair bordered by the vessel. In this case, a kind of fire stream arose, which slightly burned the hair. The assistant at this time with a wet rag made of palm leaves, diligently moistened the firing spots.
The hair treated in a “fire” manner was then smeared with aromatic compounds.
Indians of North America: hairstyle for a real warrior
Representatives of the ancient Native American tribes inhabiting North America were distinguished by a more significant variety of hairstyles. Often, long hair was just freely loose over the shoulders. In the hairstyles of men and women there were bangs, plaits made of temporal strands, as well as pigtails. Hair was often dyed with juice of leaves, herbs and fruits, and then decorated with ribbons, flowers and feathers.
As a rule, a hairstyle was a symbol of belonging to a particular clan or tribe.
Famous for adventure novels and films, the Iroquois usually shaved most of their heads, leaving only a peculiar “comb” in their middle part. Such a dressing for density was mixed with feathers or animal hair. Iroquois women wore braids or gathered hair in a knot.
In some tribes, warriors shaved almost all of their hair on their heads, leaving only the so-called "scalp lock." This hairstyle made it easier for the enemy to remove the scalp from the defeated Indian. The Indians not only considered death in battle honorable, but also in some way cared for their opponent, leaving him the right to get a well-deserved trophy in the form of a scalp without unnecessary trouble.
