Hairstyles Of Middle Eastern Countries
Hairstyles in the Middle East are just one of many rich traditions it has
, which also includes everything from art to cuisine, and even spirituality as many outsiders are curious about the traditions of the Middle Eastern people. Hairstyles especially have meaning and tradition that date back hundreds of years with many style choices are inspired by religious obligations, gender roles and climate.
Hairstyles of the Traditional
For centuries, women of the Middle East have braided their hair in order to keep it healthy and out of their faces. Traditionally, many women in Middle Eastern countries do have long hair; however, farm work or tending to family has required them to maintain practical hairstyles. The climate there is also very hot, thus causing the women in Mediterranean locations, such as Turkey or desert climates like Egypt, often keep their hair tied back in head scarves. Women who identify with the Islamic religion wear hijab, or a head scarf.
While Islam is the predominate religion in all of the Middle East, including countries with secular governments, certain places like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq maintain stricter policies. However, the Islamic religious text, or Quran, has no specific law instructing women to wear hijab, so many women choose to wear hijab for personal reasons.
It is also traditional for men to sport long hair and beards. Much of this has to do with Islamic tradition and rules. To this day it is also common to see Middle Eastern men with elaborate facial hair. Men in arid desert landscapes such as Egypt also wear head scarves to protect their hair, scalp and neck from the harsh sun.
People maintained their hair by visiting local bath houses. Women with long hair often treated it with henna, a natural dye. Men would shave and douse their hair with oils in order to keep its shine. Men and women with thick, wavy hair were often admired.
Hairstyles for Modern Times
Many of the women within the countries of the Middle East often wear the hijab to cover up their hair. However, more and more of the newer generations you will often find the Muslim women trying new things and experimenting more with the use of hair dyes and with their style of haircuts. Often you will see the college students, or even younger, sport a shorter style of haircut than that of past generations. At the same time, more and more of the young men are opting to not have facial hair.
Many of today's younger women are choosing to no longer wear their head scarves. This may be considered the norm on a college campus or perhaps at a business where it is youth-oriented, but for the most part, and amongst the middle to older generations of women, the head scarf is still commonly worn.
In Turkey, as well as other more secular countries, the head scarf is often worn for casual reasons and not just for business and with the allowance of some hair being visible near the crown of the head. In the regions that are stricter, like Saudi Arabia, majority of the women will cover their hair completely, as well as most of their faces.
Often you will find in your rural areas that men are still growing facial hair, while women will continue to dress conservatively, as well as grow their long hair. In your urban areas, the rules are usually less strict, thus allowing both genders to opt for a more western influenced hairstyle. With that, much of the Middle East you will find darker colored hair on the people living there, therefore the dying of the hair is becoming increasingly popular.
Hairstyles for Ceremonies
Many traditions and holidays in the Middle Eastern regions are considered very elaborate. Therefore the decoration of the hair and their dressing with elaborate clothing and hairstyles is considered customary. In the case of a wedding ceremony, many of the women will have their hair braided, along with jewels or laced ribbons. Dating back to the fourteenth century, men that were in higher positions within the religious leadership often wore turbans, while the men of the mid-Ottoman Empire often wore fezzes which usually symbolized their stature.
Today, several countries in the Middle East aim to be secular, yet some will continue to celebrate Islamic holidays and with that, continue their tradition of wedding celebrations as long as a week. This is one reason that the custom of maintaining the tradition of long hair for both the male and female, or the bride and the groom, continues.
by: Nicole Sanchez
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