Black Girl' Hairy-tales

Hair has such influence on women; among black girls, in particular, you can be sure that hair has a spiritual quality that transforms our attitudes and emotions. This is not a hoax. 

This blog is an archive of my hairstyle transition experiences, spanning from free-spirited braids to avant-garde Afros and all forms in between.

Notice: Every image was sourced from Instagram!  

Braided Girls ~ Free-spirited  

   

I adore braids; in my opinion, this is the best hairstyle for black girls to wear on school, at church, or anywhere else.
Braids are my favorite hairstyle since they are so simple to maintain, require very little upkeep (a little hairspray will do the trick), and are always in style.


Every time I braid, I feel so empowered and free-spirited; I can stroll the streets with such authority that no one can stop me. When black girls braid, our message is clear: we are screaming for freedom and powerful energies.  

History of Braids  

We have been braiding since the beginning of time, thus braiding is in our blood. African women, particularly those of the Himba tribe in Namibia, were known for their elaborate braids, which originated there and subsequently spread throughout the continent and beyond. Braiding dates back to the early 3000s BC.
In addition to being all the amazing things I said, braids are also very beneficial for hair development and come in a variety of forms, including short, long, little, huge, high, and low. 

Curly Girl ~ Independent & Adventurously 

Although curls may be styled in a multitude of ways and are quite easy to dress up or down, they do require a lot of upkeep. Black hair is naturally curly; curl definitions range from not so curly to super curly; you can have kinky curls, coil curls, and curly curls; it's a curl heaven! However, for a very long time, our curls were ridiculed, ironed, and dragged through the iron. Most girls tried straightening, perming, and straightening their curls to fit in with the defined beauty. However, recently, a new weave breezed self-love, self-identity, and positivity; after that, curls returned and we all went natural! 

When I wear my curls out, I want to travel to the Caribbean and see the sites in my city; curls just give off that carefree, "go and see the world" vibe. Curls are great for both winter and summer and make a perfect match for both winter and summer fashion trends. However, I adore curls for the effortless vintage look they give off as well as the attitude of adventure and independence.

My all-time favorite and ageless style are curls!

Pixie Cut ~ Bad Girl Mood

Talk about bad girl mood, short hair 

A charming short pixie cut is the epitome of a bad girl mood; it looks great on almost all head shapes and sizes, is incredibly easy to style and maintain, and works well for any occasion or fashion statement. However, this hairstyle demands a great deal of confidence; you have to look the part, you can't enter a room and look down or sideways, you have to own the space wherever you go, and you have to wear it with an ensemble that exudes strength. In most African societies, having short hair was once considered a sign of sadness. Women would shave their heads in solidarity with other grieving women after a lady lost her spouse because it was thought that a woman's hair accentuated her attractiveness.

The versatility and simplicity of a pixie cut appeal to me. It may be worn long or short on one side, and different colors are a requirement. A pixie cut looks great in the summer and feels great. 

Locked on Locs For The Culture  

Nothing screams for the culture like locs

Dreadlocks are as ancient as humanity; this particular hairstyle has not evolved much—it was created millions of years ago.

When you have locks, you never feel weak or unpowerful; they go well with every outfit and look great in any season. 

So spiritually significant and symbolic are locks that even the biblical figures Samson and Jesus wore them. They were from Nazareth, a group of people chosen by God to avoid death, cut their hair, and drink wine. Their hair represented complete surrender to God, while in other African cultures, locks stood for strength.

Dreadlocks are now a hallmark of the legendary Bob Marley.

Although it is thought that Leonard P. Howell of Jamaica started the Rastafarianism movement, it is undeniable that Bob Marley did connect Locks and Rastafarianism to himself. The Rastafrain movement began as a political-religious movement that was a voice against white supremacists and championed black pride.

Strength to the locs 

Corn Rows 

Cornrows are ideal for a brief weekend getaway or family time, as they instantly make me feel at ease and like it's Christmas or Easter. When you're not feeling particularly extravagant or dramatic, cornrows are a simple and quick fix—a "am just playing" kind of look. 

 

Originating in Africa, cornrows were used to help slaves escape their masters in the early days of slavery. This was accomplished by creating several rows in the hair that only other slaves could read by simply glancing at the hair. In the dark ages, cornrows were also used to conceal rice and other seeds in the hair of the sold slaves, giving them a means of preserving their traditional recipes and providing seeds for growth. 

Men and women alike love cornrows; this was especially true in the 1990s and early 2000s when cornrows were the fashion statement for all the hip kids. For men, the corn is back, and better than ever.

Cornrows are a hairstyle that allows creativity to flow. 

Natural Hair 

 

Natural hair is magic; black hair is incredibly powerful and unmatched; it's who we are.

Going back to your roots like a boss, natural hair is really wonderful; nothing compares to it. It's the only hair that defies gravity, and it can be anything you want. You can style it anyway you choose (black girl privilege).


Natural hair can be tricky to comb out. Since black hair is particularly hardwork to comb out, it is clear that our ancestors produced a wide variety of combs—small, large, short, and suited for every type of curl—at some point.

My ancestors were obsessed with beauty, prophet Jeremiah warned them about beauty " like the women of Jerusalem sticking their noses in the air, dressed in gold", Apostle Peter warned them "Don't only bother about your utter beauty" but they were stubborn beings, who spent their lives braiding and dressing, hair has always been important to black culture hence the invention of combs, you know, to enhance the beauty that is black hair. 

Afro

Afro hair, which simply translates to "African hair," is a hairstyle that is worn when one has natural hair and is sometimes used to style hair like Simba's (Lion King)

When I show my Afro, it's a signal to don't mess with me. The reason why the Afro is such a segmented hairstyle is because it was very popular during the struggle years. Many women of the struggle (colonization, civil rights) had big and small Afros. I adore a good Afro because it symbolizes the warrior women I know who sacrificed their lives to fight against inhumane institutions. There's something about an Afro that takes you right into the strength that these ladies possessed. 

It's an effective hairstyle. very simple to style but very difficult to maintain; you end up braiding your natural hair every night before bed (African braiding) to prevent shrinkage, which is the term for when natural hair shrinks overnight—it doesn't happen permanently, but it can stay that way for a while—or you can stretch it out of the shrinkage the very next day. 

 

In black culture, the Afro is a timeless and retro hairstyle. I have pictures of my aunt (my mom's long, curly hair would never allow her to wear an Afro), grandparents, cousins, and all previous generations sporting the hairstyle. The Afro has literally been passed down from generation to generation, and every black person—young or old—has worn one at least once or twice.

I adore how classic and African this haircut is; it looks great with huge, bold African designs or accessories, or simply just blue jeans and a white tee for the Morden girl. 

Our Hair Our Story 

The tales spoken, the time invested, and the technique are what truly make our hair great. The hair experience is the same whether we braid wigs or weaves at home or at the saloon corner streets. It's always a family matter because someone, whether it's a natural aptitude or a learned skill, has to know how to braid, whether it's a granny sister or a cousin. When a mother or cousin is set to plait, she or he sits on whatever comfy spot—inside the house or outdoors facing the street—ready to wave at passersby and perhaps even make a few remarks about the neighborhood's least favorite neighbors.

When I was small, my mom's friend would occasionally braid my hair. 

13-year-old me braiding hair at home in the South of Johannesburg  

I liked hearing the anecdotes of bygone eras, the good, the ugly, and the things I'll never understand about culture and customs. In summary, hair plaiting is a wonderful art form that fosters creativity and provides enjoyment.

Beyond just hair, having black hair is an experience and a journey I wouldn't give for anything.