Despite the reason, however, Hawaiians are still identified by their lusciously beautiful, long hair to this day. Used in only the most sacred of traditions, hair was believed to have held an extensive amount of “mana” or divine power in the times of old.
Understanding the Significance of Hair in Hawaiian Culture
It is believed that hair holds the essence of one's being, and cutting it can disconnect an individual from their spiritual roots. Therefore, hair is often kept long and adorned with various accessories to honor ancestors and show respect for the culture.
In both the East and West, figures such as the Samurai, Vikings, Apaches and other ethnic groups have attributed great value to long hair, which transcends mere fashion. This hair symbol was associated with an almost magical power, as told in famous stories such as that of Samson.
Long hair is sacred, symbolizing respect, memories, and community. For most tribes, hair is actually sacred. Long hair on men shows pride and respect. Some tribes braid their hair, representing the value of community. For women, long hair is groomed and sometimes adorned with feathers or beads during ceremonies.
The Red Yao women are widely known for growing their hair nearly six feet long as a sign of longevity.
Hair is a visible aspect of our identity, and changes to hair (such as cutting, shaving, or changing its color) can reflect internal emotional shifts. This doesn't mean the hair physically contains the trauma, but that our emotional states, including trauma, can influence our perception and treatment of our hair.
For thousands of years, male members of our tribe have worn their hair long. It is our spiritual belief that a person's hair is a part of the spirit of the person.
Asian hair is the thickest, with a larger diameter of about 70 µm. Caucasian hair has an average diameter of 65 µm, and African hair is the finest, with a diameter of 55 µm. The cross-section of Asian hair is the most round and uniform, Caucasian hair has an elliptical shape, and African hair has a flattened shape.
Evolutionary Psychology and Long Hair
This attraction is believed to be rooted in the association between long hair and reproductive capability. Longer, healthier hair is seen as a sign of youth, vitality, and fertility, making it inherently appealing to the opposite sex.
Used in only the most sacred of traditions, hair was believed to have held an extensive amount of “mana” or divine power in the times of old. Feeding from this belief of power from a person's hair, one could not just dust aside or disregard a hair that had been taken from their head.
Hawaiian magic, also known as "ho'oponopono" and other indigenous practices, is deeply rooted in the culture and spirituality of the Hawaiian Islands. It encompasses a range of beliefs and rituals that connect Hawaiians to their land, ancestors, and the natural world.
“You see a bunch of Polynesians with long hair,” said Siluano, “it's supposed to be a sign of strength. It looks kind of intimidating.” Said Fely, “It makes me look more fierce.” Asked why he wears his hair long, Milo barely pauses before saying, “The Samson story in the Bible.”
Beyond Maui, Native Hawaiians have also raised broader concerns about the ethics of visiting Hawaii in general, pointing out that tourism has led to environmental degradation and fueled income inequality.
In ancient Hawaii, nobles born from the “sacred unions” were thought to be gods on the Earth. Whilst he was still a boy, he was circumcised, which was a rite of passage for the boys in Hawaii.
Caucasian hair has a thinner diameter than Asian hair (60 – 80 µm in diameter), and therefore tends to appear 'finer' than Asian hair, even though there is typically more hair on the head (around 700,000).
There is no scientific basis to claim that any particular ethnicity or race has "more dominant" genes than others. Genetic diversity exists within and across all human populations. All humans belong to the same species, Homo sapiens, and share the vast majority of their DNA sequence.
Anthropologist Joseph Deniker said in 1901 that the very hirsute peoples are the Ainus, Uyghurs, Iranians, Australian aborigines (Arnhem Land being less hairy), Toda, Dravidians and Melanesians, while the most glabrous peoples are the Indigenous Americans, San, and East Asians, who include Chinese, Koreans, Mongols, ...
“Yogis say that long hair draws more energy to the brain. They describe the body as an inverted tree of which the spine is the trunk, the nervous system the branches, and the hair the roots. This is why many yogis let their hair grow long.
In Sikhism, kesh or kes (Gurmukhi: ਕੇਸ) is the practice of allowing one's hair to grow naturally without cutting. The practice is one of The Five Kakaars, the outward symbols ordered by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 as a means to profess the Sikh faith.
Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai'po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl.
Black hair follicles have an elliptical shape that grow in a spiral and results in the slowest growth rate, at only about a third of an inch per month. It is also more fragile and prone to breakage. Asian hair follicles are round, usually very straight, and strong.
In this section of Scripture, Paul uses four words in reference to hair: Covering (or covered)—long hair. Uncovered—short hair. Shorn—extremely short hair (in modern terms, a buzz cut).
Not So-Cutting Trends
That's no surprise—Confucian values in ancient China held that hair is a gift from the parents to be treated with utmost respect. For both men and women, haircuts were considered a serious breach of filial piety, only done under special circumstances.