The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Ethnic: Ukraine

In the Ukranian village, a girl would wear her hair in long braids. On her wedding day, her mother would ceremoniously unbraid it; a week later, her husband cut it off [sic].

Data entry tech comment:

Based on another submission card that is by the same person, regarding something very similar, that the cutting of the hair symbolizes the loss of virginity, which may or may not be clear. See CFA #  43568 for cross reference.

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

BN F545 is written in black marker above original BN [P430, F545]

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): Consummation ; CUSTOM ; ETHNIC ; HAIR ; HUSBAND ; MARRIAGE ; Ukraine ; UKRAINIAN ; VIRGINITY ; WEDDING