When we imagine a child receiving their first haircut, it’s usually around toddler age, with the impatient and angry child wriggling around and turning their head in every direction except the one needed… Most parents will agree that it’s probably not the ideal age to expect a child to sit still and be good, while a stranger cuts your precious baby hair... People of the Polynesian Islands however, do things a little differently…For young Polynesian boys, they have to wait until they are a teenager to receive their first cut, by which time they have grown rather attached to their beautiful long ..read more

We all know that ‘Male Grooming’ is a massive industry, entailing MANY different fashions, techniques, practices and preferences ALL over the world.  When looking for ideas, men often turn to the world of media to see what’s ‘in’ right now.  Whether it be the latest styles fashioned by sports stars, singers, actors etc, we have always looked around for inspiration. In Ancient Egypt, the men (and women!) had EXACTLY the same idea, yet their style icons were the gods and kings of their times.  Members of all social groups followed special grooming regimes which allo ..read more

We all know that ‘Male Grooming’ is a massive industry, entailing MANY different fashions, techniques, practices and preferences ALL over the world.  When looking for ideas, men often turn to the world of media to see what’s ‘in’ right now.  Whether it be the latest styles fashioned by sports stars, singers, actors etc, we have always looked around for inspiration. In Ancient Egypt, the men (and women!) had EXACTLY the same idea, yet their style icons were the gods and kings of their times.  Members of all social groups followed special grooming regimes which allowed them to cop ..read more

We are all accustomed to funerals and the general order in which one goes, right?  Service, burial/cremations, drinks and gatherings for family and friends…Well, scrap the idea that you have of a ‘conventional’ funeral and let us enlighten you on the rituals of Hindu funerals which take place alongside the holy river Ganges at Varanasi, India. Why Cremation?... After death, Hindus believe that the soul must be released from the body in order to achieve RE-INCARNATION.  Cremation is the only way to achieve this, with the fire acting as a purifying agent, releasing the soul from ..read more

Welcome!  We are continuing with the theme of ‘significant shaves’ this week (there is just so much to wonder at!)  We have learnt that hair/style can often be an indication of one’s social status within a number of societies, which in itself is extremely interesting, but the significance of ‘shaving’ is fascinating! So often head-shaves, in relation to rituals and specific life events, occur so much within many cultures and religions throughout the world, and we are thoroughly enjoying learning about them.  This week we have been looking at Africa, where male grooming prac ..read more

When we imagine a child receiving their first haircut, it’s usually around toddler age, with the impatient and angry child wriggling around and turning their head in every direction except the one needed… Most parents will agree that it’s probably not the ideal age to expect a child to sit still and be good, while a stranger cuts your precious baby hair... People of the Polynesian Islands however, do things a little differently…For young Polynesian boys, they have to wait until they are a teenager to receive their first cut, by which time they have grown rather attached to their beautiful long ..read more

A child receiving their first haircut is always a proud and memorable occasion for parents, with us often capturing the moment on camera or video and sharing with our family and friends. Well, imagine that event in a different setting, with all of our family members and friends all present during the haircut, and even taking part?  This is the case in Mongolia, where a child's first haircut is hugely symbolic, part of an important ritual and definitely a major celebration!   Daah Urgeeh is a special celebration, when the young child (often around the age of 2) receives a haircut whic ..read more

  Welcome to our latest blog!  We have been having fun looking at some amazing historical and cultural aspects of haircuts from around the world.  Our focus currently lies in Asia, where we have been exploring the world of Street Barbers, Hindu rituals, and the first haircut Chinese babies receive. The Basha Miao village, in the Guizhou Province of China, has provided us with an amazing haircut ritual to wonder at.  The first ceremonial haircut a child receives is somewhat extra memorable, not only because they are now entering ‘adulthood’, but also, the cut that the child ..read more

You can find a decent haircut anywhere in the world, right? Especially with salons and barber shops popping up all over the place, with the ever-increasing trend of male grooming taking over the world.  Well, scrap any idea you have in your mind about trendy, hipster barber shops, with beard creams and pomades galore, and begin to open your mind to a world of simplicity and incredible value for money. Welcome to the world of the renowned Street Barber. All over the world, the mighty street barber has battled the elements for centuries in order to provide the masses with a quick, cheap, y ..read more

Chinese First Haircut: Have you ever been to a ‘Full Moon Party’? It sounds intriguing and must certainly involve fun… But, no, it does not involve Halloween, and it certainly does not entail wolves or any howling at the moon!  In China, when a baby is born, after a full month has passed, or a ‘full moon’, it is time to celebrate and a ‘Full Moon Party’ marks this occasion. It is a celebration of the baby’s birth, survival and of course, must involve a haircut.  There is not as much symbolism in this haircut in comparison to other cultures, however, a celebration of new life is neve ..read more