Thirty-five-year-old Yangram, who lives in northwestern Tibet, began braiding her sisters’ hair at the age of 12. The nomadic herding tribes that live here are known for the unique traditional style of 108 Braids, a reference to the 108 holy volumes of Tibetan Buddhism.
Once used as a form of communication—to share one’s relationship status or religious affiliation—108 Braids is now also a tribute to the region’s heritage. Once braided, hair is adorned with all manner of earthy ornaments, like pine cones, coral, and turquoise, each woven into the braids to denote a milestone in life.
Now, women from all over the Nagqu region come to Yangram for her skillful braiding, which she describes as “thinner than a chopstick.” She’s also modernized the practice a bit by mimicking these styles with wigs, using black yak-felt threads “to make it easier for women to carry on the tradition” without the time for or commitment to these elaborate braids. “Tibetans want to enjoy the conveniences of modern life.”
