Black Girl' Hairy-tales
Hair, Spirit & Power
Hair has always held profound meaning for women—and for Black girls in particular, it carries a spiritual weight that shapes our attitudes and emotions. This is not an exaggeration; it’s lived truth.
This blog is a reflection of my own hair journey, an archive of transitions—from free-spirited braids to daring Afros, with every style in between.
Note: Every image featured here was sourced from Instagram.
I adore braids. For me, they’re the ultimate hairstyle for school, church, or anywhere life takes you. Braids are timeless—easy to maintain, low-effort (a little hairspray does the trick), and always in style.
Every time I wear braids, I feel both powerful and free. I walk with authority, unstoppable. Braids, for Black girls, are more than style—they’re a declaration: freedom and energy woven strand by strand.
Braiding is ancient. It runs in our blood, with origins stretching back to 3000 BC. The Himba women of Namibia are among the earliest known to wear elaborate braids, and from there, the tradition spread across Africa and beyond.
Braids aren’t just beautiful—they’re healthy for hair growth, endlessly versatile, and deeply cultural. Short, long, thin, thick, high, or low—there’s always a braid for every moment.
Black hair is naturally curly—ranging from soft coils to tight kinks. For too long, curls were ironed, permed, or straightened in an effort to conform to Western beauty standards. But a movement of self-love and identity brought curls back, and with it came pride in going natural.
Wearing my curls gives me a sense of adventure, like I could hop on a plane to the Caribbean or wander my own city streets carefree. Curls radiate independence and freedom. They match every season and every outfit, carrying a vintage yet timeless vibe.
For me, curls will always be a favorite—a celebration of beauty that feels both bold and effortless.
The pixie cut is pure attitude. It’s chic, versatile, and easy to maintain, but it demands confidence. With short hair, you don’t shrink—you take up space.
Traditionally, in some African cultures, women shaved their heads in mourning, associating short hair with grief. Today, though, a pixie cut flips the narrative. It’s daring, playful, and powerful—whether worn asymmetrical, dyed bold, or kept sleek.
A pixie says: I own this room.
Few hairstyles carry as much spiritual depth as locs. Worn across centuries, locs symbolize strength, resilience, and sacred devotion.
Even in scripture, Samson and the Nazarites wore their hair uncut as a sign of surrender to God. In African cultures, locs have long represented power and identity. Later, Bob Marley cemented them as a global symbol of Rastafarian pride and resistance against oppression.
When I wear locs, I feel unshakable. They pair with any style, suit any season, and connect me directly to heritage. Truly, locs are for the culture.
Dreadlocks are now a hallmark of the legendary Bob Marley.
Strength to the locs
Cornrows are effortless, practical, and full of history. Perfect for a weekend getaway or casual family time, they carry comfort and familiarity.
But beyond convenience, cornrows once held coded meaning. During slavery, patterns were used as maps to guide escapes and even as hiding places for seeds—ensuring cultural survival.
Cornrows also had their fashion moment in the 90s and early 2000s and remain beloved today. For both men and women, they’re not just style—they’re storytelling.
Cornrows trace their origins to Africa, where they carried more than just beauty—they held survival. During slavery, intricate patterns were braided into the hair, serving as maps that guided enslaved people toward freedom. In some cases, cornrows even concealed rice and seeds, hidden carefully to preserve traditional recipes and ensure future harvests.
Loved by both men and women, cornrows have never lost their appeal. In the 1990s and early 2000s, they became a defining fashion statement, worn by trendsetters across the globe. Today, cornrows are back in full force—stronger, more creative, and more celebrated than ever.
Cornrows are a hairstyle that allows creativity to flow.
Natural Hair ~ Magic & Identity
Natural hair is unmatched. It’s the only hair that defies gravity, the crown of Black identity.
Yes, it’s not always easy to comb or style, but our ancestors met that challenge with creativity—designing combs for every curl type and turning grooming into ritual.
Natural hair is power. It’s heritage. It’s the ultimate expression of Black beauty and pride.
My ancestors had a deep love for beauty. Prophet Jeremiah once warned the women of Jerusalem, who “lifted their noses in pride, adorned in gold,” and Apostle Peter cautioned them not to focus only on outward appearance. Yet, despite these warnings, they remained steadfast in their devotion to adornment—braiding, styling, and perfecting their hair. In Black culture, hair has always held profound significance, and it’s no surprise that combs were invented to honor and enhance the beauty of Black hair.
Natural Hair ~ Magic & Identity
Natural hair is unmatched. It’s the only hair that defies gravity, the crown of Black identity.
Yes, it’s not always easy to comb or style, but our ancestors met that challenge with creativity—designing combs for every curl type and turning grooming into ritual.
Natural hair is power. It’s heritage. It’s the ultimate expression of Black beauty and pride.
Afro ~ Warrior Spirit
The Afro is iconic. It speaks loudly of resilience, revolution, and pride.
During the civil rights and anti-colonial struggles, the Afro became a political statement, worn by women and men who fought oppression. Today, wearing an Afro is both retro and timeless—a nod to that warrior spirit.
Though it requires care (nightly braiding to avoid shrinkage is real!), it’s worth it. Afros pair beautifully with bold African prints or simple jeans and tees, always making a statement.
The Afro is more than a style. It’s legacy
What makes Black hair truly special isn’t just the style—it’s the experience.
Whether in salons or on porches, haircare is community care. It’s sitting for hours while your mother, auntie, or cousin braids, surrounded by laughter, gossip, and love. It’s learning history, hearing stories, and passing down traditions through every plait.
I remember being 13 in Johannesburg, braiding at home, listening to tales of generations past. Those moments are woven into me as surely as the braids were woven into my hair.
Black hair is more than beauty. It’s identity, history, resilience, and art. It’s a journey I would never trade.
What truly makes our hair special are the stories shared, the time devoted, and the skillful hands that shape it. Whether we’re braiding wigs, weaving at home, or sitting in a corner salon, the experience feels the same—it’s always a family affair. Someone in every household, whether gifted by nature or taught with patience, knows how to braid. A grandmother, sister, or cousin will settle into a comfortable spot—inside the living room or out on the street—ready to wave at passersby and trade a few playful comments about the neighbors as the plaiting begins.
Hair plaiting, in the end, is more than styling; it is an art form that sparks creativity and brings joy.
Beyond aesthetics, Black hair is an experience, a journey of identity and heritage—one I would never trade for anything.
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ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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