The Ancient Ritual of Oiling: Coconut Oil and Hair Through History

For centuries, hair oiling wasn’t a beauty treatment - it was a ritual of care, connection and continuity. Across coastal India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and island cultures of the Pacific, coconut oil has long been the heart of this tradition, passed down quietly from one generation to the next.

In many South Indian homes, nalangu evenings were devoted to coconut-oil massages, especially for young girls. Mothers warmed the oil between their palms, working it gently into the scalp to cool the body, strengthen the roots and ease the mind. In Ayurveda, this act is known as shiro abhyanga - a daily or weekly practice believed to improve sleep, nourish the nervous system and promote lush, healthy hair.

In Kerala, coconut oil was infused with herbs like amla, hibiscus and fenugreek to create thailams used during pre-wedding rituals, festivals and postpartum recovery. These blends were massaged in slow, circular strokes, symbolising grounding, protection and renewal.

Island communities in the Pacific share similar customs - coconut oil was applied before long hours under the sun or sea, shielding hair from salt and dryness. It was also a gesture of affection: elders grooming children, families preparing for ceremonies, communities bonding through shared care.

Even today, this ancient ritual lives on - not as vanity, but as a moment of warmth, rest and remembering.