A barber is a person whose occupation is mainly to cut, dress, groom, style and shave men’s and boys’ hair. A barber’s place of work is known as a “barbershop” or a “barber’s”. Barbershops are also places of social interaction and public discourse. In some instances, barbershops are also public forums
They are the locations of open debates, voicing public concerns, and engaging citizens in discussions
Jont Henrry
In modern times, the term “barber” is used both as a professional title and to refer to hairdressers who specialize in men’s hair. Historically, all hairdressers were considered barbers. In the 20th century, the profession of cosmetology branched off from barbering and today hairdressers may be licensed as either barbers or cosmetologists
The barber’s trade
The first barbering services were performed by Egyptians in 5000 B.C. with instruments they had made from oyster shells or sharpened flint.In ancient Egyptian culture, barbers were highly respected individuals. Priests and men of medicine are the earliest recorded examples of barbers
Barbering was introduced
A morning visit to the tonsor became a part of the daily routine, as important as the visit to the public baths, and a young man’s first shave tonsura was considered an essential part of his coming of age ceremony. A few Roman tonsores became wealthy and influential, running shops that were favourite public locations of high society
- Barber Schools
- Barber’s pole
- Shave brush
Barber cloth or wrap
Barbershops were influential at the turn of the 19th century in the United States as African American businesses that helped to develop African American culture and economy. According to Trudier Harris, “In addition to its status as a gathering place, the black barbershop also functioned as a complicated and often contradictory microcosm of the larger world.
Environment that can bolster egos and be supportive as well as a place where phony men can be destroyed, or at least highly shamed. , cleansing of ears and scalp, draining of boils, fistula and lancing of cysts with wicks.
It is a retreat, a haven, an escape from nagging wives and the cares of the world. It is a place where men can be men. It is a place, in contrast to Gordone’s bar, to be somebody.
Barbershops from black barbers at first mostly served wealthy caucasians. In the later part of the century they opened barbershops in black communities for serving black people. Some of the duties of the barber included neck manipulation.
Despite the economic recession in 2008, the barbershop industry has seen continued positive growth. Recently there was a trial that had barbers check high blood pressure in barbershops and have a pharmacist meet and treat the patient in the barbershop, with positive results.
