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“We have to stop being ashamed of being Black. A broad nose, a thick lip and nappy hair is us, and we’re going to call that beautiful whether they like it or not. We’re not going to fry our hair anymore.” - activist Stokely Carmichael at a rally in Mississippi in 1966.
Cornrows
One of the first African hair braid referenced by history and stand the test of time. Depending on the culture, the hairstyle can signify wealth, marital status, kinship, religion, age, or it can be a fashionable style. Cornrows could also be spruced up with twigs, fresh flowers, corals, shells, glass, among other adornments.
Himba Tribe
For a Himba woman, her hair is her power. Hairstyles play a significant role within the Himba community and reflect marital status, age, wealth, and rank within the group. Hair braiding is a communal activity with the range of styles differing from tribe to tribe. Hair is also seen as a symbol of fertility amongst the Himba community where thick braids and lustrous hair indicates a women’s ability to bear healthy children.
The history of the afro can be traced back to tribal Africa where hair was used to define roles, hierarchy, and status. In the 1960's the beginning of the Natural Hair Movement wearing an afro was making a political statement.
Dreadlocks
The first known examples of the hairstyle date back to ancient Egypt, where dreadlocks appeared on Egyptian artifacts. Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with dreadlocks have even been recovered from archaeological sites. According to Roman accounts, the Celts were described to have ‘hair like snakes’ Germanic tribes, Greeks and the Vikings are all said to have worn dreadlocks too.
Edamburu
Was worn by women from Congo. It’s thin braids that have been intricately woven into the hairstyle. The structure of the coiffure is used to accentuation the tradition of skull elongation practiced by the Mangbetu people.
Fulani Braids
This braided hairstyle was donned by Fulani women and passed down from one generation to another. It features a large crescent running on top of the head that’s made by braiding hair towards a piece of leather. The braided crown is then decorated with cowrie shells, beads, and sometimes silver coins or amber for aesthetic purposes.
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