The Noble Profession of Barbering
A brief overview of the Proud History and Culture of Barbers and their Craft
Evidence suggests that Barbering as a profession started in Egypt, 5000 B.C.E. A highly respected profession, these bronze age barbers were using oyster shells and sharpened flint. Early barbers seemed to have emerged from the priests, and medicine men. Art made by barbers were essential across the globe for a variety of reasons, in some cultures it helped distinguish social classes, while others used shave art during wartime, and of course fashion. Furthermore, just as they do in the present, locations with barbers served a social purpose where people came to debate, discuss, and gossip. In fact, a few Roman tensores (barbers) became quite wealthy providing services and a space of conversation for the elites. Barbers in medieval Europe were also surgeons. In Turkey they began using fire after each haircut, since barbers their believed that the hairs were “hurting and bleeding” and needed their wounds closed off by fire. Today this Turkish technique is used to singe hair in the ear, and makes for a great show. Barbers in South Asia began providing massages and beauty treatments to their clients, even today vising an Indian barbershop is basically a mini-spa trip. One would be hard pressed to find a better scalp massage than at an Indian barber shop, and who can forget the late great barber Baba Sen from Rajasthan, India.
Today the ancient profession continues to evolve with barbers now showing off or teaching their artform on the internet. Additionally, many have found a home in ASMR community, providing their relaxing services and sharing their varying cultures through video and audio. Barbers in Europe have not sat back either as the rest of the barbering traditions evolve, Amsterdam and Lisbon boast some of the best barbershops in the world. However, it is London which has truly emerged as a barbering epicenter in Europe. From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, London has it all on its diverse streets. You can get a massage at the South Asian shop, watch a fireworks display through the storefront glass of the Turkish place, enjoy a trim from the Caribbean barbers, or experience the barbering skills from the Far East.
Every country, every culture, has a unique and proud barbering tradition. However, it seems more and more that the social hub that has always been the barbershop is slowly becoming a place of silent magazine reading and an overly professional feel. It is becoming almost artificial in its vibe. This must be changed immediately, barbershops are the place for a community to gather. Barbers and customers in these silent shops must take a stance and bring in the vibes that have for centuries made barbershops so special.
The great noble art of barbering, an ancient profession whose importance to every neighborhood it has existed in throughout time can never be overstated. Hopefully it continues for many more years, and even in this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope that these neighborhood cornerstones survive. It is our duty to be there for barbers and other essential neighborhood establishments in these difficult times, just as they have perennially served and helped all of us.
