Almost everywhere throughout many Indigenous tribes, the braid is a common look amongst the men.
To the untrained eye, it may seem like they just have long hair to long hair….
The deeper meanings can be found when studied a bit more.
For many the long hair is sacred and it’s been studied that long hair is an extension of the nervous system which heightens sensory and intuition. This would help many Indigenous people when it came to hunting, going into battles, and detecting danger.
They noticed in the army during the World Wars that during training, the Indigenous people showed exceptional scouting skills and incredible intuition but found that it would go away when their heads were shaved from army protocol.
Later they would allow the Indigenous people to keep their long hair when they served the army.
Weaving The 3 Parts of The Hair Into Braids
In many cultures, the braid is also a symbolization of characteristics.
I’ve heard in Sioux the three locks of hair have 3 different meanings:
- First Strand Symbolizes Female: All things female, including 4 legged, insects, swimming creatures, flying creatures, critters, plants, humans, etc.
- The second Strand Symbolizes Male: All things male, including 4 legged, insects, swimming creatures, flying creatures, critters, plants, humans, etc.
- The third strand Symbolizes LOVE: Love for all things, the land, love for others, and love for yourself.
We weave these three locks of hair together to create balance.
Connection and Loyalty
There is a spiritual connection with your hair as well.
It is said that your hair carries your emotions, your memories, and your energy.
When a loved one passes away, men have been known to cut their braid off. This symbolizes that time they have spent with that person, the memories they had with that person and know they can let that go to allow that loved one to travel to the other side in a good way.
In many First Nations homes, you can find Mom’s braiding hair in the morning for the husband and the boys in the house.
This first connection creates a bond and Mom’s job is to transfer good energy while making the braid to ensure good energy for the day for the person she is braiding.
Connection to earth. The hair can grow long and from the head, it can reach down to earth and create that connection with Mother Earth. This connection is also a reminder to respect all things.
How You Can Teach This in Classrooms
Teach students about Indigenous people in the area and why they might wear braids from the information on this page.
Then ask about certain looks and regalia that their culture might have that is unique.
List three things that are unique to their own heritage and culture. For example.
- Certain type of food
- Certain type of music
- Certain type of dress regalia
Have students draw out a braid and have them list out 3 characteristics their braid strands represent.
Example.
- Mom
- Dad
- Family
What three things that are important to the student that can represent their braid that they draw.
Now let’s get to work.
12 replies to "Boys With Braids"
I used to have a braid when I was growing up on the reserve then my mom got accepted for university so we had to move to Saskatoon. I started grade 1 at king George and right away I started getting picked on because of my braid and it wasn’t from kids my age, they were all older kids. I don’t remember what they would say but I do remember them kicking me in the back and making fun of me, I was just a kid in grade 1 I didn’t understand why they were doing this to me but anyway it got so bad that I just ended up getting my hair cut, i wish I never did but my mom was probably sick of me coming home crying and I was sick of getting picked on every day
I was forced to cut my hair. It was 3 inches below my waist. I understand how you and others feel.
Our Warriors would braid their hair, paint up and wear their best into battle for that fight might be their last and on that day they might meet our Maker. Everyday is a battle so even today we dress our best, not to show off, but to express our gratitude to the Above One and as a way of life, showing respect, dignity and self-discipline. The hair connects us to Mother Earth and is an extension of our spirit. Our mothers and grandmothers taught us to pray for ourselves, family, friends and all people and creation as we braid our hair with the rising sun and to carry those prayers with us throughout the day. #nativelife #oldways #strength #wisdom #guidance #inspiration #warriors #livinginprayer #gratitude #easternshoshone
Thank you for sharing your wisdom .I will carry it and pass it along..I can grow very long hair and it can be a burden ,I was considering cutting it off,until now.I cherish my connections to the Earth. I am thankful for new perspectives.
My grandson was getting teased at school for his long braid…..we gathered our men (all with a braid) and they talked to him about his hair. He is now 17 and his braid is still long and he doesn’t care about any teasing….all my grandsons and son have long hair
I love my son’s braid and take pleasure braiding his hair every morning. He decided after attending the 2014 NAIG at the age of 11 and seeing a lot of teen boys “the Big Boys” with braids to their butts that he wanted a braid as well. We live on the East Coast where not very many men wear their hair long. He went through the people mistaking him for a girl until puberty hit and you can’t mistake those shoulders for a girl anymore. I can’t imagine him without it now.
I am 68 year of and I also have long hair. My hair is past my waist. I can almost sit on it. I too have been made fun of until I explain my hairs importance to our culture. Sometimes I have it braided in two braids. For some reason this spools kids and white people. My wife braids my hair every morning.
I like men with long hair,i think they are so handsome…
Thank you for sharing. I raised my 3 sons and daughter with beautiful braids. My older sons got bullied but ended up fighting for their rights to be a Traditional Native Son. When my youngest got bullied a teacher asked if his father would talk about our traditional ways n why our men wear their long hair in braids. It was such a positive talk they asked him n his friend to do a presentation to the school. In return he received many letters n drawings from kids saying they wish they were native too. He encouraged them to look into their own cultures n to respect who they are and to share this with others. It was such a hit, my so Thunder Hawk became very popular and if anyone said anything about his hair the prior bullies stuck up for him. My son is Tlingit, Aleut, Little Lake Pomo, Piipaash &!Akimel O’odham. PRIDE in who your ancestors are! Gunalcheesh’
Very interesting.. thank you for the information
I am getting more interested in your culture
Coming into my native roots I chose to grow out my hair as a way to honor my family, both past and present. I have read about the traditions, and have been doing my best to follow them. I’m proud to be part of a great nation.
Aho to all American Natives,
My name is Indy Walter Imfeld. I was born in Switzerland, and my family can be folowed back to the Year 1257.
As far as I can remeber I always wanted to have long hair and I was very interesed in American Inians.
Thaks a lot for sharing your wisdom about braided hair!
I did hear that Natives and first Nation people did braid theyr hair when got married, and non married keep them open.
Now from Your text and answers I did read that many boys wear braided hair.
So maybe you can tell me, if I did get this wrong about marriage and braids ?
Pilamaya; Toksha akè