For thousands of years, beauty has been perceived across the world. And though it may differ from country to country, there is no doubt that it is a reflection of the beliefs, cultures, values and creativity that humans share with one another. From haircare to skincare and everything in between, these cultural beauty practices are testament to the ingenuity of humankind.
HENNA
Henna paste is made by crushing the leaves, stems and flowers of the henna plant into a fine powder. Then, it is mixed with water. The henna is then applied to the skin and hair as a temporary stain. It is used widely across many cultures, but it is traditionally used in Indian weddings as body art on the bride’s hands and feet. It is also used in other celebrations such as birth and circumcision. Henna is “a symbol of joy in many religions including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism,” according to the Natural History Museum.
NAMIBIAN HIMBA HAIR RITUAL
The women of the Himba people use a paste that “[blends] the aromatic resin of the omazumba shrub with animal fat and ground red pigmented stone,” according to INFRINGE Magazine. They then apply this paste to their hair and skin as water is scarce in their desert region. The hairstyles have many meanings to their culture, signifying status within the group, marking fertility, identifying age and symbolizing “blood, the essence of life and the earth’s rich red [color].”
LIP PLATES
According to Mursi.com, the women of the Mursi, Chai and Tirma groups in Africa wear large wooden or pottery disks in their lower lips. This cultural beauty ritual begins at the age of 15 or 16. This is when women insert plugs of increasing size to stretch their lip until they can fit a plate of their choosing. The plates are “seen as an expression of social adulthood and reproductive potential.”
JAPANESE BATHING RITUAL
This ritual has two phases, a cleansing phase and a soaking phase. The cleansing phase is meant to serve as a typical bath or shower. Then, the soaking phase serves as a time to relax, enjoy the bath and renew your mind. Traditionally, this is done in public bathing houses or volcanic hot springs. This practice ties “water with spiritual purification.” Additionally, it is seen in both Shintoism and Zen Buddhism, according to Amayori, a Japanese bath salts company.
POLYNESIAN TATTOO
This spiritual and sacred tattooing ritual traditionally served as “an important form of communication indicating social status, sexual maturity, genealogy and rank,” according to The Diplomat. Geometric patterns, flowers, symbols of nature, shading and lines are all marks of Polynesian tattoo. Fasting rituals were also a common part of this practice. Today, the tattoos are common, even though some of the ancient practices may have been lost.
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