Which practice may signify mourning among some Native Americans?

Cutting one’s hair short is a significant practice among some Native American cultures that may signify mourning. In many Native American traditions, hair holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning. It is often seen as an extension of one's being and a reflection of one’s identity. When an individual experiences the death of a loved one, cutting their hair can symbolize grief, loss, and the desire to honor the deceased. This act may serve both as a personal expression of loss and as a way to connect with communal mourning practices that honor the life of the deceased.

In contrast, while wearing black clothing is a common mourning practice in many cultures, it is not universally significant in Native American traditions. Planting a memorial tree can also be an honorable gesture connected with remembrance, but it is not as widespread or defining as the symbolic act of cutting hair. Reciting prayers for the deceased may be a part of mourning rituals in various cultures, including some Native American cultures, but the specific act of cutting hair is more directly tied to the expression of grief in this context. Thus, cutting one's hair short stands out as a more culturally specific marker of mourning among some Native American communities.