Why Uzbek women braid their hair into many small plaits (10 photos)

The tradition of Uzbek women braiding their hair is hundreds of years old. In the mid-20th century, this custom gradually began to fade, but despite everything, it still lives on. It's harder to find women with traditional hairstyles in cities, but in rural areas, it's not a problem. What's behind this tradition of Uzbek women braiding their hair in multiple braids, and is there any benefit to it?





If you've had the opportunity to examine Uzbek women's hairstyles up close, you've probably noticed that their braids are different from ordinary ones. They are straight, dense, and have a distinctive shape. Many attribute this to national characteristics or special care, but they are mistaken. The main reason for the difference between Uzbek and Russian braids is the braiding technique.



When braiding their hair, Uzbek women use special threads called "jamalak." These are very ancient accessories that scientists have found in the hair of girls depicted in frescoes in Panjakent, painted between the 5th and 8th centuries.





Zhamalak is made from silk or cotton threads. The fibers are twisted together and dyed black. The thread is exactly 50 cm long, and a tassel or several beads are strung on the end.



Uzbek braids don't negatively affect hair growth because they're braided 5-7 cm away from the roots, not from the roots. Therefore, a woman can wear a traditional hairstyle her entire life without it affecting scalp circulation or hair vitality. Zhamalak braids are woven into the hair from the middle of the braid, giving it shape and shine.



The custom of braiding hair stems from the fact that in Uzbekistan, since ancient times, women were not allowed to appear in front of men with their hair loose. Therefore, everyone, from young girls to old ladies, braided their hair. Today, this custom is not universally observed, and it is much more common to see an older woman with a traditional hairstyle than a young woman.



In cities, women wearing braids are rare—they are usually members of folk ensembles or women from the provinces. In rural areas, the custom still lives on, although fewer and fewer Uzbek women adhere to it each year.



For women in Central Asia, braids are not just an adornment and a tribute to tradition, but also a source of comfort. When hair is constantly braided, there's no need to wash it often, as it doesn't get greasy even in extreme heat. Women in Uzbekistan also wash their hair with sour milk or katyk—this makes it strong and healthy, thick, and prevents graying.



In the old days, cutting a woman's braids was a terrible punishment. The shame of losing her hair followed her throughout her life. Cutting off a woman's braids could be a punishment for serious offenses that tarnished the family's reputation. Often, such punishment was followed by expulsion from the family home or even the village.



The number of braids depended on the woman's age and her marital status. Unmarried girls had 40 braids, while married women had only two. After 80, a woman could again braid 40 braids, as in her youth. While previously these braids signified youth and the absence of a husband, for older women they symbolized life experience and advanced age.



Although hairstyles are now much more relaxed in Uzbekistan, long hair remains highly prized in this country, even when not braided. Unfortunately, finding specialists in braiding authentic zhamalak braids is now difficult, although once upon a time, all women mastered this skill.