[Photo] Keeping the Way of Life Knife Through Painted Hair

According to Ms. Toan, since she was a young girl, her mother has guided her meticulously through every step: from plucking fine hairs with “mu chan”, a special type of tweezers, to brushing hot beeswax with a comb made from porcupine hair, and tying her hair into neat round buns.

"A girl who doesn't know how to paint her hair and wear a turban is not grown up yet," she smiled gently, her eyes full of nostalgia.

Mrs. Toan skillfully curls each strand of waxed hair, while another woman gently holds the hair in place.

Dry your hair by the fire, an important step to help the wax penetrate evenly into your hair.

The porcupine comb and waxing tool, simple objects but full of traditional value.

The process of painting the head requires meticulousness, patience and deep understanding. The hair is cleaned around the forehead with a blind. Then, a comb dipped in wax is used and evenly brushed onto each strand of hair. The hair must be dried directly over a flame so that the wax does not dry out and remains flexible when styled. Each small strand is tightly twisted, rolled from the top of the head and then neatly tied into a bun. Finally, a traditional scarf is covered on top, completing the painted hair.

Women in the village gather to chat and teach each other how to comb their hair, both to beautify themselves and to preserve the village's memories.

Nowadays, the custom of painting hair is not as popular as before. According to Ms. Toan, only on special occasions such as festivals and Tet do people practice this custom. Few people in the younger generation know how to comb their hair with beeswax, partly because of lack of time and partly because there is no one to teach them. “Nowadays, if you want to do your hair, you have to invite others, it is very difficult to do it alone. I learned it thanks to my mother’s teaching, then I did it myself and remembered it,” she confided.

Mrs. Toan carefully applied wax to her hair, a smooth movement that was once a symbol and discipline of the ancient Dao women.

The hair after being painted, is shiny like wax, the result of skill and meticulousness.

Mrs. Ban Minh Toan with her hair done and covered with a scarf, a simple yet profound symbol of traditional beauty.

Painted hair is no longer a measure of maturity as it used to be, but through the diligent hands of women like Mrs. Toan, the old traditions are still cherished and preserved, from the small kitchen in the middle of Mau Son forest to the memories of the village.

NGOC XIEM - QUOC DUNG

Source: https://nhandan.vn/anh-giu-nep-song-dao-qua-mai-toc-son-post884443.html