The History of Natural Hair

The history behind hairstyles of all designs originated in different ethnic groups in Africa. The first example of dreadlocks date back to Ancient Egypt, where dreadlocks appeared on many artifacts. Ancient Egyptians with dreadlocks have also been recovered from archaeological sites.

Hairstyles played a significant part in status and identity. In African tribes it was the way to identity someone’s social status based on ethnicity, social rank, age, marital status, wealth, fertility, manhood, religion, and death. Twisting or weaving cotton or wool thread mud, or animal fat into one’s hair were all techniques to create these elaborate looks.Due to the long amount of time it took for these styles, women used this time to socialize with one another. Much like today in the hair salons. In 1444, Europeans began to kidnap Africans of all social status and trade them on the west coast of Africa. Many wore elaborate hairstyles.

 

Although the Europeans were first in trance with and admired of the style texture and adornment of black hair something had to be done to rid them of their identity to maintain control. Many slave owners shaved the heads of both men and women. This was considered an unspeakable crime to many tribes in Africa.

In 1619, the first slaves were brought to Jamestown after being on a ship for three months with unbearable conditions where hygiene, let alone hair care maintenance couldn’t be maintained. The hair of many enslaved Africans were matted.

Upon arrival the enslaved Africans were no longer allowed to speak their native languages, do traditional dances, or maintain their hair in the styles that they chose. All of the African culture and grooming traditions began to disappear. Slaves owners wanted to cut the Africans connections to their true selves. They pushed their standards of beauty. Fair skin, straight hair, and thin facial features. African dark skin, kinky hair, and wide facial features were deemed unattractive. As a result, lighter skin and straight haired slaves were sold for higher prices at auctions.

Due to brainwashing and internalizing color consciousness many blacks also promoted the idea that dark skin and kinky hair were less attractive. A concept that still plagues blacks to this day.

Enslaved Africans were given no way to care for their hair in the 1800s. Without combs and herbal treatments used in Africa, they were forced to use bacon grease, butter, kerosene, and sheep brushes to maintain their hair. In 1789, the “Tignon Law” was passed which required black women to use fabric to cover their hair in public. Forced to adopt the new law, black women began to buy beautiful fabric to use as headwraps & tied them in elaborate ways.

Yes, slavery has ended but the emotional and psychological scars lived on and are still evident today. For example many African American women label “good hair” as loose finer textured curls that are closer to that of Europeans. Hair has become a prerequisite getting jobs, entering certain schools, churches, and social groups.

In the 1920s, Marcus Garvey a black nationalist urged his followers to embrace their natural hair and reclaim their African aesthetic. One of his famous quotes states “You must remove the kinks from your mind, not your hair”~Marcus Garvey. And thus was the spark of the natural hair movement.

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    Morgan Chambers

    My favorite part of this timeline is no matter how many times the white American or European tried to keep black women from having beautiful hair they responded with a new tactic. I love when they passed a law to stop women from showing their natural hair, the women retaliated by buying beautiful fabric. They basically said, “Try to take away my beauty, you can’t.” I love that! I like your blog too. It’s very aesthetically pleasing and sends a great message.

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