SHAVE HAIR IN "ANCIENT EGYPT" ERA

Queen Nefertiti

Male or female makes a haircut is a "fair and regular" at the time of ancient Egypt. This they did to prevent the onslaught of head lice and keep their heads cool.

They used to shave the head with a stone knife, but as the times they switch to using bronze knives.

The Egyptians are proud of their appearance and even they are very proud of Queen Nefertiti which poorer have bald heads.

At that time they also have used a wig made ​​from palm leaves, animal hair and even the straw. Precisely at that moment the hair is characteristic of slaves or workers.

POI SANG LONG CEREMONY

The Poi Sang Long ceremony in Mae Hong Son is a Buddhist novice ordination ceremony, but it is unlike any other ceremony of its type in the country. Young boys aged between 7 and 14 are ordained as novices so they can spend time studying Buddhist doctrines. It is believed that by pursuing ordination for their parents, they gain merit. 

The origins of this festival lie in Buddhist legend. It is believed that the tradition follows in the footsteps of Prince Rahula, the Buddha's own son, who gave up his worldly life to follow his father's spiritual teachings. Prince Rahula became the youngest ordained monk and the first novice in Buddhism. Subsequently it became a tradition for young boys to be ordained so they can undertake the study of Buddhist teachings. With deep reverence for the Buddhist religion, the local residents in Mae Hong Son province are of the view that the celebrations should be as grand as possible.

The Poi Sang Long ceremony is unique to Mae Hong Son province. A colourful spectacle to witness, it is perhaps one of the most delightful festivals in Mae Hong Son, attracting people from far and wide. 

“Rup Sang Long Day”, the first day of the ceremony
The first day of the ceremony day begins with the boys having their hair shaved off by parents and relatives. They are then bathed and anointed with consecrated waters and dressed in brightly coloured costumes. By the end of this process, the boys are now known as Sang Long or Luuk Kaew — precious gems.

A colourful procession makes it way through the streets of Mae Hong Son Municipality. In the earlier part of the day, the procession makes stops at the city pillar and various temples en route so the 'Sang Long’ can seek forgiveness from the abbot. By late afternoon, the boys are carried back home. 

“Kham Kaek Day”, the second day
On the second day, relatives, friends and guests stop by the house of the Sang Long host family in order to congratulate the family and present alms.

“Hae Krua Lu Day”, the third day
On the third day, “Hae Krua Lu Day”, the grand colourful procession is held in the morning. Well-attended by family members and individuals of importance in Mae Hong Son’s Shan community, the procession of the Sang Long features handmade floats, offerings for the temple, traditional dances. The procession starts out from Chong Kham and Chong Klang Temple in the heart of the city before it moves along the main streets of town and out to the temples.

“Kham Sang Day”, the fourth day
The procession once again proceeds through the town and the Sang Long are escorted to Chong Kham and Chong Klang Temple for the formal ordination ceremony.

In addition to the Poi Sang Long ceremony at Chong Kham and Chong Klang Temple in Mae Hong Son Municipality, Poi Sang Long ceremonies can also be observed in the following locations.

Contact information:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mae Hong Son Office
Tel: +66 (0) 5361 2982-3
Fax: +66 (0) 5361 2984
E-mail: tatmhs@tat.or.th

(copied from : http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/2011/april/5212.asp)  

CUT DREADLOCKS HAIR IN DIENG, INDONESIA

Dreadlocks attached to the children in the area of Dieng (Central Java, Indonesia) is considered sacred. Dreadlocks are not as a fashion that mimics the style of artist Bob Marley, but it is a natural phenomenon that appeared mysteriously in the region. Communities in this region believe that the dreadlocked kids are a gift from the gods, so they will feel grateful if one child or their family members have dreads.

In the daily lives of children dreads is no different from other normal child. One thing that distinguishes them is their physical strength than children in general, aggressive behaviors that tend to be mischievous, and they have the disease resistance of various attacks that often attack children like flu and colds. But the dreads children are usually every Friday night they always fussy.

There are certain times where it should be cut dreads. If it was not time then forced to cut hair then the child will easily sickly until his hair grew longer view the same conditions, even believed to future disaster for the family.

Hair cutting process should not be done haphazardly, but must be special. Even before the cut, a celebration of the elderly or the owner must comply with a request of the child and must be fulfilled.

HEAD SHAVE IN BASHA MIAO VILLAGE

Basha is a very special and old Miao Ethnic village and is virtually untouched in any way by modernization. Basha residents still live in their wooden houses, practice centuries-old customs and have their own unique beliefs.

The village is perched on a hill, 7.5 kilometers from Congjiang. Legends say that Basha's ancestors immigrated from heartland China to this isolated mountainous region over 2,000 years ago.

The village has a multitude of Diaojiaolou (a traditional Miao structure built on wooden stakes). When seen from afar, the village consists of layer upon layer of moss covered bark roofs. 

Scattered around the villages' open spaces and hillside is another wooden structure commonly called "rafts". They are used to dry un-husked rice.

Don't be alarmed, but the Basha people is the only tribe that is allowed to carry guns.

Like men of the Imperial Dynasties, most Basha men-folk still wear their hair long. As little children, Basha boys, like girls, have to keep their hair until they are 16 years old. The Adult Ceremony is when the boy becoming a man is held and he is allowed to decide whether to keep his long hair. The Adult ceremony is held to have a young man's head shaved or to keep his hair which is twisted and coiled atop the head.

(copied from : http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/special-report/ancient-town/basha-village.htm)

CHUDAKARANA SAMSKARA : HEAD SHAVING

This ceremony is performed in the temple for both boys and girls before the age of four. Hair is seen as an adornment. By shaving the head, the child confronts his or her bare ego. It teaches humbleness and devotion. Children with shaved heads are seen as innocent and holy and are treated with great respect. My husband described the ceremony as follows :

"One of my first memories was when I went to the temple to get my head shaved. It was peaceful as I leaned my head back into the man's hand and my parents sang mantras as he shaved my head. I felt very special all day."

   

This ceremony is often repeated for boys on their birthdays until puberty. Many grown men and women also complete this ceremony as a sign of humbleness, or thanks for an answered prayer. It is not uncommon for women to cut off several inches of their hair after the delivery of a healthy child or other positive event in their family life.

(copied from : http://www.angelfire.com/az/hinduweddings/Samskaras.html)