Incredible Why Do Native Americans Have Long Hair References. To native americans, hair is of special spiritual significance. Beliefs and customs do differ widely between tribes, however, as a general rule, both men and women are encouraged to wear their hair long.

Beliefs surrounding long hair vary from tribe to tribe. Though the meaning of the hair varies among the tribes, it is nevertheless very important not to cut it. They believe hair should be cut only once, and this is during the child’s first birthday.