Among the Polynesians of the Pacific, the first time a boy's hair is cut is one way in which his coming of age is marked. It may also be a way in which he is now differentiated from women. Hair is thought to contain the mana or power and so the cutting of hair is a risky business. To mark this special occasion the women of the Cook Islands drape tivaevae , specially decorated quilts, about the room. These tivaevae may be given as gifts to mark special occasions such as this haircutting ceremony.
Hair grows and dies.
If it is not groomed it returns to its natural state-much like an abandoned city reclaimed by the jungle. The typical image of the wild man is not someone who grooms their hair but has let it revert to its natural, unkempt state. The popularity of blonde hair is not merely the influence of Western advertising. Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman women, who were not naturally fair-skinned, all wore blonde wigs though those of the Egyptians were made of gold. Both the super-model Naomi Campbell and Tina Turner have worn blonde wigs.