Many peoples of the world view hair as a sacred repository of vitality or the abode of spirits and deities. The Khanty believe that one of the souls of s person lives in the hair in the form of a small bird. It leaves only when the person dies. A number of prohibitions were associated with this belief as well: it was forbidden to cut long hair (by doing so, people shortened, “cut” the term of earthly life allotted to them) and to disturb it by combing too often.
The hairs that fell out were not thrown away, but were preserved throughout the person’s life, and then buried together with the deceased, sending all the accumulated earthly energy with them to the afterlife. The indigenous peoples of Siberia diligently protected their hair from birth to death, and tried to decorate it in every possible way.
Men wore their hair parted in the middle, made two low ponytails on the sides and tied them with colored laces. Women plaited two braids, which were connected from below with a copper chain. In addition to the ritual meaning, it also had a practical purpose: the tied braids did not sway and did not interfere with daily work.
Faux braids were a common decoration for both men and women. Khanty women sometimes used long faux braids, almost reaching the knees.
Colorful threads — blue, white, green and black — were woven into faux braids along the entire length. In addition, the threads themselves were adorned with beads, rings, bells, and chains with pendants — openwork or bronze figurines of fantastic animals, hares, and birds. All these items had to shine and be visible from afar. The lower tips of faux braids were additionally decorated with soft, usually red and burgundy cords and fastened with wool thread (in the presented exhibit they are red).
The part that was attached to the head itself, as can be seen in the displayed braid, was covered with cloth (in this case blue) and decorated with buttons and beads. Beads, seed beads, claws and teeth of animals (another type of pendants) played the role of amulets and were endowed with magical powers. The finished braid was bulky and heavy — it not only served as a powerful magical protective charm, but also forced the girls not to slouch, instilling in them good posture habits.
Such accessories were expensive, difficult to make, and not intended for everyday wear.
