Zitkala Sa, a Native American writer, storyteller, and musician, tried to avoid the cutting down of her long hair in various ways. In her memoir "Memories of Childhood," she vividly describes her struggle to preserve her cultural identity and resist assimilation into the dominant American society.

1. Emotional Attachment:
Zitkala Sa had a strong emotional attachment to her long hair, which held significant cultural and personal meaning for her. In Native American culture, hair symbolizes strength, power, and connection to one's ancestors. Zitkala Sa cherished her long hair as a symbol of her identity and heritage.

2. Seeking Approval:
Zitkala Sa's mother warned her about the white missionaries' intention to cut her hair, but she didn't fully understand the implications until she arrived at the boarding school. She tried to seek approval from her teachers and fellow students, hoping they would recognize her beautiful long hair and spare it from being cut.

3. Hiding her Hair:
Realizing that her long hair was a target for assimilation, Zitkala Sa attempted to hide her hair. She would wrap it under a hat or tuck it under her clothes to avoid drawing attention to it. By concealing her hair, she hoped to protect it from the cutting shears.

4. Resistance through Fear:
When the day finally arrived for the hair-cutting ceremony, Zitkala Sa felt a deep sense of fear and dread. She understood that cutting her hair would signify her surrender to the white culture. In an act of resistance, she deliberately caused a commotion by kicking and screaming, hoping to create enough chaos to escape the scissors.

5. Unsuccessful Resistance:
Despite her efforts, Zitkala Sa's resistance proved futile, and her long hair was ultimately cut off. This moment was deeply traumatic for her, as it symbolized the loss of her cultural identity and the forced assimilation into a culture that she felt disconnected from.

6. Emotional Aftermath:
After her hair was cut, Zitkala Sa experienced a profound sense of loss and sadness. She mourned the loss of her identity and struggled to reconcile her Native American heritage with the demands of the boarding school. This experience had a lasting impact on her, fueling her determination to fight for Native American rights and cultural preservation later in life.

In summary, Zitkala Sa tried to avoid the cutting down of her long hair through emotional attachment, seeking approval, hiding her hair, resistance through fear, and attempting to escape the ceremony. However, despite her efforts, she was unable to prevent the loss of her hair, which deeply affected her sense of identity and cultural belonging.