Nov19,2023
The Red Yao women of Huangluo Yao village are visited by people from around the world to witness the most remarkable feature of beauty in their culture — their hair.
The Red Yao women, referring to their traditionally red clothing, only cut their hair once, typically on their 18th birthday.
Growing their locks to nearly six feet long, the women have a traditional cleansing routine they follow to maintain hair health and color.
Yao women mark their first haircut as a sign they are open for marriage. This hair does not go to waste, however — the hair is preserved by family until the woman is married.
As the women mature, certain styles signify different marital and family statuses.
For centuries, hair was so sacred there were specifications on who could or could not see a woman's hair.
One of the most unique results of their hair regimen has been eradicating grey hairs — the Red Yao women claim that many do not experience hair graying until well into their 80s.
They are lauded as the "rapunzels" of their province, which has created a substantial market to present the traditions they've preserved for centuries.