Even though some Africans were sometimes not heavily clothed, they would always have intricate hairstyles. They observed more than sixteen hairstyles indicating a combination of gender and social rank. The first Europeans that arrived approximately around 1444, were highly impressed with black hair. So, how did colonization completely change this perspective? source: pinterest Since hair is located at the highest point of the body, the closest to heaven, it was believed that communication with gods and spirits were made through hair and directed to the soul.īlack hair was at the centre of the West African's culture, and there was an high-valued perception of kinky hair before the time of colonization. If a woman left her hair unkempt, it could mean she suffered from depression or just that she wasn’t able to take care of her hygiene.īlack hair had also big spiritual meanings in those times. Therefore, it was important for women in West Africa to take great care of their hair. Long and thick hair would mean that a women is a life-force, and was good with agriculture and children. West Africans admired women with long and thick hair. For example, in the Wolof culture of Senegal, young girls who were not old enough to get married would have partly shaved heads to demonstrate that she could not be courted yet.īlack hair really had a heavy social significance in those days, but an aesthetic significance as well. You could even know someone surname by examining his or her hairstyle because each clan had its unique way to style its hair. By looking at their hair alone, you could indicate a lot of things A hairstyle could indicate such thing as a person’s age marital status religion ethnic identity wealth, social status and much more. In the early 15th century, black hair was used as a carrier of multiple messages in West Africa (Byrd, Tharps, 2). Let’s take a look at black hair before the worldwide colonization by white Europeans.
In order to be able to analyze the perception of black women’s hair today, it is crucial to look at its perception in earlier days. Here is a little background history on black women’s natural hair. To understand the natural hair movement, you have to understand its history.
Stating that black women natural hair is “just hair” is clear ignorance on our hair history. Many people do not understand the outrage about cultural appropriation when it comes to black hairstyle.
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