Episode Details

At temples across India, millions of pilgrims shave their heads in acts of devotion—rarely imagining where their hair will end up. Collected, auctioned, and shipped abroad, these offerings fuel a global, multi-billion-dollar market for wigs and extensions, prized for Indian hair’s strength and purity. In this episode, we explore how a sacred ritual becomes an international commodity, tracing the journey from temple floors to processing hubs and fashion capitals, and examining the tensions created by smuggling, export controls, and uneven profits. The story reveals a striking collision between faith and finance, where spiritual sacrifice is transformed into one of globalization’s most unexpected supply chains.

https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/11/03/indias-hair-industry-is-in-a-tangle