Gillick's World Explores China: Hunan, Guangdong and Guanxi | Page 35
The women of the Yao Minority in Huangluo Village cut
their hair once in their entire lifetime. At the age of 16,
before they get married, they unwrap what appears to be
a shiny, black turban around their head to reveal tresses
that often reach1.7 meters (5 ½ feet) or longer. After
marriage, they grow their hair again as a harbinger of
good fortune, longevity and wealth (a kind of ‘hairway to
heaven’). In days gone by, only their husband and child
were allowed to see the lengthy locks but today, the idea
of letting your hair down takes on a whole new meaning
as the hair is the featured attraction in cultural shows for
tourists.
The Yao Minority Village, representing one of 12 ethnic
groups in Guanxi Province, lies in Longsheng County,
two hours north of Guilin, which has long been regarded
as one of China’s tourism meccas.
Yao Minority Women wrap their 1.7 meter long hair
As part of the cultural show, the Yao women
reveal the full length of their hair.
This article appeared in a different format in
www.travelindustrytoday.com