ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Tonsure

Tonsure is when someone shaves all or some of the hair on their head, typically as part of a religious or cultural practice. Imagine if you had really long hair and one day you decided to cut it all off, but instead of just cutting a little bit, you cut all of it so you have no hair left on your head. That's kind of what tonsure is like!

In some religions, like Christianity and Buddhism, monks and nuns often get tonsured as a sign of their commitment to their faith. Cutting off their hair symbolizes their dedication to a simple and austere lifestyle, which means they don't need to worry about spending time on hair care and can focus on spiritual matters instead.

In other cultures, like among Native American groups or in parts of India, people may get tonsured for different reasons. It can be a way of showing respect to their ancestors or tribal traditions, or as part of a spiritual or healing ritual.

Overall, tonsure is a special kind of haircut that is often done for religious or cultural reasons. It's not something that everyone does, but for those who do, it can be a way to show dedication and respect for their beliefs and traditions.