Hair devotion and Trade in India.

We were given this article as part of our key reading for this week. This article is about the Hidui Culture and what they think about hair, religious views, myths and devotional practice of hair in India.
It starts by talking about the 'myths, histories and taboos' in the indian culture regarding hair. I found it interesting that even down to a moustache on a man symbolises something and how groomed hair can be a sign of social conformity. It was interesting that only men can be barbers as women are not allowed to cut hair.
It goes on to mention about what women hair represents, unbound and dishevelled hair is the signs of a widow, the unstable or a menstruating woman. She is suppose to keep her hair unwashed for four days while she is menstruating to indicate that she is in her 'unclean state'. However unkept hair can also signify mooring. If women are to go out it should be up, in a plait or a bun or even covered with a sari. It shows that they are outside social norms but although manly it signifies negative thoughts, it can however be interrupted differently. There is a god 'Kali, the most exemplary goddess of dishevelled hair.' So they perceive up kept hair or dreads to be a positive because they are withdrawing themselves for wordily matters.