Old women’s hairstyles of the Russian Empire’s ethnic peoples (PHOTOS)

The main hairstyle of a woman in Russia has always been the braid, regardless of region or ethnicity. Russian women wore one braid if they were single (even in adulthood) and two braids arranged around their head, if they had a husband. A married woman's hair was concealed by a headdress. 

Long, thick braids were considered the main ornament of Chukchi girls. They usually wore two braids on each side and took care of them with seal fat. Sometimes, girls cut their bangs straight, as well. Thick, wide eyebrows were also considered beautiful among Chukchi women.

Tatar women, meanwhile, adorned their long braids with decorations that tinkled when they walked. Married women usually wore two braids and wore curls on their temples, but young and single women could weave up to 40 braids. Both also wore headdresses, depending on their marital status.

Kalmyk women also wore two braids when they got married. The braids were placed in special pouches, thrown over the chest and worn under a hat with ornaments. Single girls had one braid. 

Yakut girls could wear from one to three braids. In the old days, Yakuts had a custom of cutting off a braid after death.  

Unusual hairstyles were worn by married Udmurt women of past centuries. They combed their hair over their foreheads and, with the help of woolen threads, made spiral-shaped curls. The ends of the threads were then tied at the back of the head and covered with a headdress.  

Married Nanai women in the Far East often wrapped a thin braid around their heads. 

Unmarried Cossack women wore one long braid with jingling jewelry and, as a rule, did not make a parting. And married women made voluminous bundles with a bouffant.