As early as the 15th century, Africans – male and female – have used artistically designed hairstyles as symbols to indicate their marital status, age, religion, ethnic identity or even social status in terms of wealth and influence. Moreover, the strict adherence to hair maintenance among African societies was not only an expression of natural beauty but also a supernatural means of communicating to gods and ancestors.
Cases of slave owners and colonial masters shaving the heads of Africans underscores the symbolic power of African hair: arguably, such acts were part of the process of erasing the slave or colonial’s subject’s culture and traditional beliefs, at least externally.
Hundreds of years on, these unique African hairstyles may have fallen out of popular fashion, but they continue to tell the uniqueness of being African. Behold six such hairstyles on the next few pages.
Bodi Hairstyle of Ethiopia
This shy-looking and coy women’s hairstyle just needs a sterilized razor blade and 10 to 15 minutes to complete, leaving some little hair on the head. This hairstyle survives all manner of weather! You would not need a shower cap before taking your bath either.
Ozondato Hairstyle of Namibia
This hairstyle dates back to the 1940’s. It was popular among young Namibian boys fast approaching their puberty. In what looks like a long braid, this hunter-looking hairstyle set the boys apart from the girls in pre-colonial times.
Osun Oshogbo Hairstyle of Nigeria
This unique Nigerian hairstyle dates back to of the traditional Osun Oshogbo festival. It was and continues to be the hairstyle for worshipers of the goddess of Osun River in Nigeria. With its neat ponytail and artistic braids, today’s women of Nigeria often choose to go by such a hairstyle but with a touch of modernity!
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