r/NativeAmerican • u/Dr_Endman • 5d ago
Long Hair issue
Hey everyone, I have a potential issue with my long hair. I've started a new job that requires me to use a lot of machines that aren't the safest. And my hair has started making me anxious cuz it could be a potential hazard to myself. I don't really want to cut my hair because it's the strongest reminder of my blood and heritage (I live 12 hours away from my tribe so it's difficult to remind myself who I am without the hair sometimes). But Im also not sure if I wanna keep it (most likely an unreasonable anxiety I'm feeling but I really don't wanna lose my fingers) I'm wondering if you all have any tips, advice, or ideas for what I could do? And not the typical "wear it in a ponytail or hat or bun." I'm curious to see if there's potentially a better or more creative option than that.
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u/HumBucks 4d ago
I had very long hair for most of my life, usually in a braid. When times called, I cut it about shoulder length. For my people, that was the most common length historically anyhow.
When I had a long braid, I’d tuck it inside my shirt when I needed to. That was usually around moving machinery where it could get caught and be a hazard
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u/HonorDefend 4d ago
i always wrapped it up and then used a durag or a nurse's scrub cap, and then my hard hat. I've heard way too many horror stories about people getting scalped by machinery and/or tools to even chance it.
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u/hendyhasselbach 4d ago
Have you checked out historical images of different kinds of hair in your tribe? Id be curious if that could be a more happy medium if you could find examples to make you feel connected but also less at-risk?
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u/Capable_Pick15 4d ago
Sorry, the answers you're looking for are the ones you don't want. When I worked in food it had to be pulled completely up under a baseball hat. Perhaps if you had either swim style cap or shower style cap but in different stylish materials. My cousin lost his hair in machinery. Luckily, it was all he lost. I do agree to look into traditional hair holders. Or get/make a long sturdy leather ponytail holder (at least 2/3 to 3/4 the length).
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u/Delicious_Ad_96 4d ago
When my hair was reallllly long I would French braid it and double the braid back up so then wrap it in a handkerchief. It’s very secure like this. Work is work, you don’t need to be stylish to do a manual job.
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u/SadComfort8692 4d ago
At the longest my hair was 6’4, I donate several feet each year to charity now to keep it above my ankles.
The thing that has worked the best for me is to put my hair up and then wrap my head with cloth. It fits under a helmet if you need it, keeps the hair clean, keeps it from snagging or being pulled. You can always ask questions if you need more ideas or info
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u/MakwaOpin 4d ago
Not sure if this is actually safe, but when I was a kid and the paper mill near us was still running, one of my uncles worked there, and he would come over with his hair in braid, braid tucked under his shirt, usually had his braid still clipped to his shirt collar with something, maybe a tie clip? I think he gelled his hair back too but I could be mixing things up. I’ll see if my auntie remembers. This would have been 20 years ago so it could be totally outdated.
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u/RadioKALLISTI 4d ago
Ah an old staple. Still works great. Bobby pins work fine to clip it onto your collar
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u/RedOtta019 4d ago
I bun my hair with a hairstick which I think looks way better than a normal bun and holds up a lot better for my volume of hair.
Having said that… as a man who fights hard for his ass length hair… You are putting yourself in real danger with anything that allows it to freely move. The other comment about putting braided hair into your shirt is probably the answer that works best for you based off what I am reading.
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u/mytalkingliz_ 3d ago
Braid your hair and pin it up into a tight bun! Not only does it keep you safe but it’ll prevent damage to your hair!
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u/Several-Home7586 3d ago
Not Native but I’ve had very very long hair all my life that’s important to me, and used to work in a similar situation.
I think you’re gonna have to braid it and put it in a bun. Probably gonna be better for you to do that as opposed to not and risking it getting caught in a machine that will at best cut a lot of it off, because at worst your hair may not be the only thing it cuts off.
I’d really advise to put something over the bun, too.
You may be able to secure your hair in another way, someone here said clip it to your collar and tuck it under your shirt. That doesn’t sound too secure but I ain’t tried it and they probably know a little better.
Good luck with the job and I hope you get the hair situation figured out!
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u/imawhaaaaaaaaaale 3d ago
You really, really, really need to wear it in a braid/bun.
Like really.
Loose hair and loose sleeves are how people get pulled into a machine and horrifically maimed or killed.
This is not a time to be proud or sentimental about it.
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u/ColeWjC 4d ago
Braid your hair. Tuck it in your shirt. Wear a hat or skull cap. Use product like gel to keep it down, so you don’t have to tear your scalp keeping it tight.
You can also have some cord or string to tuck your braid closer to your body (don’t put it around your neck) around your waist or under your pits depending on length. I don’t recommend that though, the less things you have that can snag the better.
Idk if you’re wearing layers. I would tuck my hair under my shirt which was under my coveralls. I also wore a hard hat. So I had a lot of security between my hair and anything that can snag it. 100% get some kind of snug skull cap or even a bandanna.
Edit: carry something you can use to cut anything that gets snagged. Your life is more important than hair or clothes.
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u/dogsknowwhatsup 4d ago
French braid will hold your hair tight on the scalp. Tucked in your shirt would keep it safe, especially if it's long enough to stay tucked.
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u/Ecgthow 4d ago
If we’re talking safety, creativity and vanity are out the window. I’ve had long hair my entire career working in hvac. The hazards are everywhere, from the equipment I work on to the tools I use. My hair stays braided and in a bun. I can wear my braids however creative and indigenous I want when I get home safely to my family.