Buddhist monks of that time wore regular haircuts. Stone monument from Dariganga locality steppes

Ever since the early days of history the first thing humans played with were their own or others hairs. But until recently not much study has been done on the ways Central Asian nomads treated their hairs. Research by archeology Prof. D. Bayar reveals the best hairs styles of the past.

Over the decades he studied the stone monuments protecting their master’s graveyards, paintings of steppe nomadic royalty and nobles preserved in Persian and Chinese chronicles as well as graveyards.

“Epics and legends of Central Asian nomads contain a great deal of facts showing their deep reverence for the hair as symbol of honor and invincibility of the hero,” says D. Bayar.

As the result of his studies he identified that almost all nomadic tribes had the consistent tradition of wearing plaits braided in certain manner, compulsory for all men.

Guyug Khaan, grandson of Chinggis Khaan (1206-1248)

“Written sources evidence that the nomadic tribes had the continuous tradition of wearing plaits braided in certain manner, compulsory for all men,” says Prof. Bayar who studied the material culture of Medieval Mongols for last three decades. “This hairstyle can be traced through out the history of nomadic cultures populating Central Asia from III century B.C until our century.”

Chinese and European travelers who visited Mongolia at various times left the detailed description of Mongolian haircuts.

They unanimously write that all Mongolian men, regardless of social status shaved the hair on the top of their heads in the form of a horse shoe, leaving a lock of hear on top to be brushed onto forehead. The remaining part of hair on at the nape was divided into two “tails” hanging behind the ears.

For example, a French missionary left the following description: “Like our monks, the men leave a lock of hair on the top of head. But they would shave around it for about three fingers wide. The hair lock left on the top would hung ahead and grow until reaching the eyebrows. The remainder of hairs left behind will be locked in two tails.

According to Prof D.Bayar, another important source for studying Medieval Mongolians are the stone monuments, scattered across the country and standing over graveyards. Their examination shows that despite universal men haircut there were different ways of braiding hairs.

A fashionable Medieval Mongolian

Portraits of great Mongolian khans and nobles do confirm this descriptions. For example, portrait of Guyuk Khaan, grandson of Chinggis Khaan, made by Chinese artist shows that he brushed hair into a single, curled braid and brushed onto one side.

Continuing the nomadic tradition, Mongols maintained the age long reverence for man’s hairs believing that these hairstyles had magic power.

Even nowadays the list of DON’Ts includes touching others head and hairs without permission since it is considered to be a major offense. On some days the barber shops remain empty because of deeply ingrained perception of “good and bad” days for hair cutting.

Despite the influence of modern lifestyles and universal Hollywood dictated hairstyles, Mongols still continue to hold their reverence for the old traditions among which special ceremony of first hair cutting of babies holds important place.

This ceremony takes place when child reaches age 3 or 5 for boys and 4 or 6 for girls. Before organizing the ceremony an auspicious day is chosen usually in summer or autumn.

On the day, child wears the best clothes, invites best friends, relatives and neighbors for a small party.

Twins, after hair cutting ceremony

The ceremony starts with a specially selected person touching the hair of the child. He or she cuts a small lock of hair on the forehead. Only after this other guests follow the suit, each cutting off a small lock with scissors. In case one of close relatives is absent, a bundle of hair is left untouched on the nape so that later on the person can cut it personally.

At the end of ritual all hairs with exception of a small bunch on forehead is cut off. The mother of the child gathers all cut hairs, warps in a silk cloth and preserves them as a amulet or charm for the long and happy life of her child.

The ceremony is accompanied by offerings and good wishes for the child, praise songs. Guests enjoy a small party while the child is given a young goat, lamb or even a colt as a gift.

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