Some believe the act originated in South America; others claim the act hails from China. Performers hang suspended by their hair, which is tied into a hairhang rig; the techniques used to tie the performer's hair, and the acrobatic techniques involved in the act are key.
Many people underestimate the tensile strength of hair. A single strand can potentially carry a weight of up to 100 grams; in theory, with proper technique, a full head of human hair could eventually hold between 5,600 kg and 8,400 kg (12,345 to 18,518 lbs) without breaking individual hairs or pulling out any follicles.[citation needed] However, the act still hurts, especially for new performers.
Hair hanging acts are prominently featured in the Cirque du Soleil touring productions Volta and Bazzar.
