The Dao Do, a subgroup of the Dao ethnic group in China, reside in mountain villages within the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In their lives, these women cut their hair only two times: once when they are 100 days old and again when they turn 18. Consequently, women aged 60 and above often have hair at least one meter long, with some reaching lengths exceeding two meters.
An estimated 35,000 Dao Do people live in China, primarily in Longsheng county, Guangxi. In 2002, Huangluo village, nestled in the Longji mountains, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the place with the "largest group of long-haired women".
The world record holder for the longest hair, Xie Qiuping, also hails from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In 1994, she participated in the World Long Hair Competition in Shanghai, breaking the record with a hair length of 3.869 meters. By 1999, after being measured by the Shenzhen Measurement Verification Station, her hair reached a length of 5.085 meters. In 2004, Guinness World Records officially recorded Xie's hair length at 5.627 meters.
The tradition of growing long hair dates back to the Song dynasty (960-1279), approximately 1,000 years ago. These women believe that long hair symbolizes longevity and prosperity. The region's high-quality water and favorable climate are also thought to contribute to their hair's strength and health.
Beyond its length, women in the village style their hair based on their marital status. Married women with children bun a portion of their hair at the front of their forehead, with the rest wrapped around their head. Married women without children wrap their hair around their head, omitting the front bun. Unmarried women use a black cloth to cover their hair; only their future husband is permitted to see the braided hair hidden beneath the cloth.
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Two Dao Do women. Photo: TitleMap |
All women incorporate two additional hair buns into their styles. One bun is made from the hair cut at 18 years old, while the other is collected from daily shed strands. Dao Do women exhibit remarkably few gray hairs, thanks to a homemade shampoo crafted from rice water and local herbs.
"The life secrets passed down from our ancestors are very effective. We only recently learned that our homemade shampoo contains beneficial ingredients like yeast and protein", a Dao Do woman shared.
Today, Huangluo village is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy the Dao Do people's long-hair dances and songs.
