Research: Hair in Different Cultures

Since the beginning of time hair has possessed powerful, symbolic properties all over the world.  Hair is a concept of traditions and beliefs as well as religious and mystical significance and it indicates an established order, or the refusal to cooperate with one.  Hair is how we project the images we have of ourselves daily, with it having many different meanings through various cultures.

Similarly, there are different cultures that often use wigs from day to day.

Japanese Geishas: Traditionally in Japan, married women would wear a marumage wig on their wedding day as it the traditional hairstyle to go with the kimono marriage dress.  Marumage wigs were originally worn just by courtesans and geisha girls, however common women soon adopted the style as well.

Orthodox Jews: Jewish women are required to cover their hair once they are married.  This is because of a biblical law that considers hair to be the beauty of a woman, and therefore should not be shared or shown in public.  For orthodox women there are many ways to cover their hair.  Some extreme ultra-orthodox women shave their heads and wear just a handkerchief, whereas most Jewish women wear wigs.

Tribal/Afro-Caribbean: African women wear wigs to give their own hair a rest as they have very fragile hair and needs to be maintained well in order for it to grow.  When they plait their hair or wear wigs, it means that they can avoid combing their hair, damaging it from heat and the weather.  It also allows them to try out a wide range of styles according to different fashion trends.

Wigs used in Fashion
Available: http://www.shophairextensions.co.uk/
news/fashionable-wigs-art-show-on-t-stage/

Wigs can also be used for cancer patients who want to hide the evidence of hair loss due to chemotherapy and they are used a lot within fashion, films and TV, in order to replicate a culture in a contemporary way.

Marumage Wig
Available: http://imgarcade.com/1/marumage-hairstyle/

References:

- L'Oreal. (n.d.). Hair & Culture. Available: http://www.hair-science.com/_int/_en/topic/topic_rub.aspx?tc=ROOT-HAIR-SCIENCE%5EHAIR-AND-CULTURE&cur=HAIR-AND-CULTURE. Last accessed 4th Oct 2014.