Memory Preserved Through Hair on South Dakota Reservation

Exploring the Artwork of Indigenous Hair Braiding

For Ashley Phelps-Garcia, a jingle dancer and member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, hair isn’t just a bodily function however a vessel of reminiscences and energy. In her tradition, the importance of hair runs deep, intertwined with spirituality and custom.

Reanna Ella Gourd, an Oglala Sioux braider, echoes this sentiment as she emphasizes the significance of hair in Indigenous communities. Reflecting on the apply of braiding for powwows, Gourd highlights the cultural significance of hair adornment and the eye to element that goes into every braid.

Not like mainstream hairstyling, the place uniformity typically reigns supreme, Gourd takes a customized method to her craft. Every design she creates is tailor-made to the person sitting in entrance of her, reflecting not solely their hair high quality but additionally their power and vibe. This intimate connection between braider and consumer provides a religious dimension to the artwork of hair braiding.

As Gourd meticulously weaves intricate patterns into her shoppers’ hair, she channels centuries-old traditions and strategies, holding the legacy of Indigenous hair braiding alive. By means of her artistry, she honors not simply the bodily great thing about hair but additionally the religious essence that it embodies.

Every braiding session with Gourd is a harmonious mix of talent and instinct, making a sacred area the place hair transcends its aesthetic operate to change into a conduit of cultural heritage and private id.

For these inside Indigenous communities, the act of getting their hair braided by somebody like Gourd is greater than only a styling session—it is a profound expertise that celebrates the interconnectedness of previous, current, and future.