Hairstyles in African Culture

Listen Sibling, I come in peace,

“Nature made you most glorious!” — Onitaset Kumat

How have we worn our hair?  Below is a beautiful display of contemporary hairstyles as seen on the Continent.  Ask yourself if European or Asian hair can do this; then assert your African pride–Nature made you most glorious!  We aim to bring Africa to her children.  And you, in America, or Africa, or Europe, or Asia, you will join with our Siblings and make again the African supreme!  Write for information on how to build an African Blood Siblings Community Center and distribute our flyer.

Hairstyles in African Culture
By Onitaset Kumat

Love your Black emerald kinks. They surpass gold
For all Kings’ Kings had kinks, since days of old.

— Onitaset Kumat in “Maroon and Build For Self“

Woman with complex coiffure and hair ornaments

Woman with complex coiffure and hair ornaments
Fulani, West Africa
Photo: Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal.

A coiffure is perfected by various decorations: cowries, beads, mother-of-pearl buttons, medals, pieces of silver, amber balls, metal rings, and pins of wood, bone or ivory. In the West African Sahel, the Fulbe and Peul (Fulani) cultivate impressive hairstyles.

For purposes to do with magic, a man or woman may also attach amulets to certain hairdos. The more elaborate coiffure includes braids, crests, curls, cascades, chignons, and vertical cornrows.

Two women whose braids have been lengthened to their ankles through the use of sinew (eefipa) extensions,

Two women whose braids have been lengthened to their ankles through the use of sinew (eefipa) extensions, Mbalantu of Wambo group, Namibia, Africa
Photo: M.Schettler, 1940’s

Woman with coiffure in the form of a crest with ornaments and comb.

Woman with coiffure in the form of a crest with ornaments and comb.
Igbo, Nigeria, West Africa
Photo: Afrika Museum, Berg en Dal.

A coiffure is perfected by various decorations: cowries, beads, mother-of-pearl buttons, medals, pieces of silver, amber balls, metal rings, and pins of wood, bone or ivory. In the West African Sahel, the Fulbe and Peul (Fulani) cultivate impressive hairstyles.

For purposes to do with magic, a man or woman may also attach amulets to certain hairdos. The more elaborate coiffure includes braids, crests, curls, cascades, chignons, and vertical cornrows.

[Above] photo[s] and text from the book Hair in African Art and Culture, Edit by Roy Sieber and Frank Herreman, The Museum for African Art, New York, 2000.

Source:  http://nubianhairsupplies.homestead.com/hair-styles-in-africa.html

Natives of Ugogo, east central Africa

Natives of Ugogo, east central Africa

Natives of Ugogo, east central Africa
Gogo (African People)

Source Title: Illustrated London news.
Publisher: London : Illustrated London News and Sketch Ltd., 1842

Source: nubianhairsupplies.homestead.com/hair-styles-in-africa.html

The Samburu Warrior

The Samburu Warrior

The exact origin of the Samburu, who inhabit an area in Kenya’s northern frontier, is unknown. What can be said is that the Samburu are one of several East African Nilotic peoples, who show traits of Hamitic acculturation. The men are tall and lean.

The warriors spend many hours braiding each other’s hair into ever longer strands that fall evenly down their backs. They also smear red ochre mixed with animal fat over their hair. They wear beaded decorations across their foreheads, often entwined with their braided hair. All warriors wear ivory earplugs in the stretched holes in their earlobes.

Source:  http://nubianhairsupplies.homestead.com/hair-styles-in-africa.html

Personal Commentary:

I distinctly remember the teasing from elementary school.  Though I combed and brushed my hair every morning, my hair was never straight enough for other African children.  While still in high school, I stopped combing, styling, cutting, brushing, everything and I love it; because today:

“My knotty was knitted by the nature I love
Behold the Black beauty of African blood!”

— Onitaset Kumat in “Maroon and Build For Self“

The African “natural” hair issue in America focuses on women, though our beautiful Brothers knowingly cut our hair for more acceptance from European people.  Let the “natural” debate be truthful.  African people have the best hair.  Our Brothers and Sisters should embrace Africa’s endowment!

Subscribe, see related posts and check out that ‘source’ I listed three times–our hair is so beautiful!  Hotep!

P.S.  That first image should look very familiar to regular viewers of the television program.  Look at “Sic Semper Tyrannis.”

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