Shaving Around the World: 7 Wild Grooming Rituals and Traditions

Shaving is a rite of passage filled with both excitement and nerves. But have you wondered how shaving rituals differ across cultures? What if you had a Turkish barber light your ears on fire to remove hair? 

We've collected the wildest and most fascinating shaving practices, from Ancient Egyptians to U.S. Marines.

Stick around to find out the cultural meaning behind these 7 shocking rituals and what they mean beyond grooming.

What is the Cultural Significance of Shaving?

Here's a quick look:

Shaving has a rich history, with different cultures shaving for various reasons. Here's what they have in common:

• Hygiene: Many cultures shave to stay clean, whether facial hair, head or full body.

• Status and Power: In ancient Egypt, Pharaohs were clean-shaven to show authority and status.

• Sacrifice and Devotion: Buddhist monks have their heads shaved to symbolize sacrifice and dedication to a higher cause.

• Coming of Age: In some African cultures, young girls shave their heads upon reaching puberty, a sign of transition into womanhood.

The Top 7 Wild Grooming Rituals, Practices and Traditions

Ancient Egyptians and Body Hair Removal

Egypt's scorching heat made long hair unbearable, so they said goodbye to all their hair (leaving eyebrows and eyelashes). Wealthy Egyptian men and women shaved their heads and bodies entirely. To make up for their lack of hair, they wore false beards and elaborately crafted wigs as a fashion statement.

The wealthy most likely had personal barbers who always kept them clean-shaven. Wealthy Egyptians were buried with their razors, believing they might need them in the afterlife.

Maasai Tribe Kenya

In the Maasai tribe, shaving their heads signal rites of passage like circumcision.

Young Maasai boys undergo Enkipaata, a ceremony where they take a cold shower and get a close shave two days before circumcision to purify themselves. Boys aged 12 to 16 go through a trial first. He has to successfully gather cattle for seven days in a row, before the ceremony happens on the eighth day.

Turkish Fire Shave (Non-traditional shaving method)

When you're in Istanbul, you might want to try a Turkish fire shave. Also known as hair singeing, this Turkish barber technique eliminates hairy ears but is not for the faint of heart.

Why? A Turkish barber applies a volatile liquid on your ears, pulls out a lighter with a two-inch flame, and ignites your ears!

The result? You'll smell burnt hair, but those who had the guts to try it says it doesn't hurt. 

Mundan Shaving Ritual

The Mundan ceremonial head shaving rite is a popular Hindu ritual where a child's head is shaved when he is between 1 and 3 years old. Each strand must be collected and not thrown anywhere since they're offered to God or immersed in the holy river Ganga.

After shaving, the child's head is washed with holy water from the river. After shaving, they apply a turmeric and sandalwood paste to heal any cuts.

Hindus believe this practice purifies the baby from thoughts, impurity, and karma from their previous life.

US Marines (The First Shave)

What's the most common scene in any military movie? Yup, you've guessed it, the first buzz cut.

During World War 1, the U.S. Military required shaving facial hair and beard hair to promote proper hygiene. Every soldier was clean-shaven and had a buzz cut no more than an inch long. A buzz cut was also crucial for wearing a gas mask, as there were threats of airborne gases at that time.

Today, new recruits are given their first shave on the first day of boot camp.

Weird Marine Tradition

In the US Marines, there's a weird tradition where Marines going on their first combat deployment should shave their heads, similar to their first shave on day one of boot camp. The boot camp shave symbolizes entry into the Marine Corps and shaving your head before combat deployment shows that you've become an infantryman.

Usually, senior Marines would pass around hair trimmers, and Marines would shave in their barracks.

Anything goes here. It's common to see mohawks and some other wacky haircuts boosting morale and camaraderie.

Shaving before deployment is a fun tradition that's not compulsory but saying no means you are left out of the pre-deployment festivities and fun.

Female Pubic Hair Removal (Islam)

In Islam, both women and men are prescribed to remove pubic hair. It's one of their religious hair removal practices. You can remove pubic hair anytime, but you can't let 40 days pass without doing it.

Islam encourages cleanliness in marital relations, which is why married women should remove their pubic hair before approaching their husbands.

Women are required to remove hair themselves; they can't go to the salon to have their pubic hair removed. Islam considers it unlawful for a man or woman to open his or her private parts for hair removal.

The recommended ways an Islamic woman can remove her pubes:

• Shaving: the most common and easiest way to shave but needs extra care to avoid nicks and cuts

• Waxing: provides longer-lasting results but is a more painful process

• Hair removal creams: Depilatory creams remove hair painlessly. Islamic women must choose creams with ingredients that comply with their religion.

• Trimming: trimming is a more comfortable and safer option for pubic hair removal. An electric trimmer is easy to use and helps keep your private area clean and neat.

Women Shaving Their Head (Buddhist Nuns)

Buddhist monks and nuns shave their heads upon joining the monastic order. They are not required to shave their whole life. If they leave, they can grow their hair once more.

Buddha ordained his followers via the Vinaya-Pitaka, stating that hair should be shaved at least every two months or when it has grown to as long as two finger widths. Monks and nuns must also use a razor to remove facial and scalp hair. Scissors are only allowed if they have sores on their heads.

Some orders consider electric shavers as scissors and forbid their monks and nuns from using them.

Why do Buddhist monks and nuns shave?

• Symbolizes renouncing material desires and attachments

• Promotes equality within the monastic community

• Form of spiritual discipline and commitment to the Buddhist way

• Follow tradition and Buddha's teachings

• More hygienic and practical during long meditations

For female shavers, we recommend the FlexSeries for Women, it's an all-around head and body shaver that's a great addition to a woman's shaving routine.

The Bottom Line

Shaving has existed since ancient times and it's much more than just looking tidy. Whatever your reason for shaving, you must have a dependable electric shaver in your grooming arsenal. We don't shave like the ancient Egyptians anymore.

The FlexSeries Pro is a modern tool every shaver must try for a safe, smooth, quick shave. It's an all-around head and body shaver that's a great addition to your grooming arsenal.

Get one now for $59.95.

Are you curious about what body parts men should shave? Click to find out.

FAQs

What was the First Razor Like?

The earliest razors were sharp pieces of stone, like flint or obsidian, used by prehistoric men to remove hair. Artifacts found in ancient Egypt, dating back to 4000 B.C., show that early metal razors were made of bronze and copper.

Why Did Ancient Cultures Shave with Such Simple Tools?

Ancient cultures shaved mostly for hygiene in hot climates, and simple tools like bronze blades or even shell tweezers got the job done. The ability to use sharp metal for grooming showed a technological advancement in those early civilizations.

Does Shaving Your Head Help with Overall Hygiene?

Yes, head shaving helps with hygiene by making it easier to clean and manage, especially in hot environments or when you're with large groups of people. A shaved head is less likely to harbor lice or cause uncomfortable sweating than thick hair.

Do All Cultures Require Shaving for a Rite of Passage?

No, not all cultures require shaving as a rite of passage, but hair rituals are very common for marking important life transitions. The Maasai shave to mark the transition to manhood, while other cultures might use elaborate haircuts, braiding, or specific hair accessories instead.

Can I Use a Modern Electric Shaver for Religious or Traditional Shaving Rituals?

You can use a modern electric shaver for many personal religious or traditional rituals, as it is a safe and convenient option for most hair removal. However, some monastic orders, such as certain Buddhist groups, still stick to traditional manual razors to fully follow ancient practices.

Is a Fire Shave Safe?

A fire shave is safe when a highly trained Turkish barber performs it, as they only use the flame briefly to singe the fine hairs away. You should absolutely not try this at home, as you could cause severe burns to yourself.