Queen Latifah once said, “Having Black hair is unique in that Black women change up styles a lot. You can walk down one street block in New York City and see 10 different hairstyles that Black women are wearing: straight curls, short cuts, braids – we really run the gamut.” And this idea of black women’s hair that Queen Latifah said is still prevalent, landing in not just the streets of New York, but in the hallways of school campuses.
Most Black females view their hair as a focal point of their look. Their hair is not just a casual updo but an elaborate feeling of personal self-expression and value. Through each twist, curl, loc, or braid, it’s a reminder of their cultural identity and personal aesthetic they hope to achieve.
These curls have also become a statement that has changed throughout history. According to CBC, Black peoples’ hairstyles have been dated back to pre-colonial tribes in Africa, where the hairstyles worn not only were seen as a piece of their cultural identity but also told about their social background.
Black people in general faced many adversities surrounding the topic of their hair in the U.S. when dealing with slavery and post-slavery issues. These challenges strained their overall opinion of their hair because their natural curls were not up to par with the Eurocentric beauty standards of the time. However, as time progressed, new movements, bills, and mindsets arose, which led to black people learning to embrace and reclaim their traditional hairstyles.
In February, the U.S. and Canada celebrate Black History Month, which helps to honor every hair-do, cut, or curl pattern a Black person possesses. Here are some hairstyles rooted in African American cultures, worn by black females on the Rancho Cucamonga High School campus.
#1 Box/knotless braids: a versatile art
Originating from ancient Africa around 3500 AD, braids were first worn by African tribes such as the Fula, Himba, Zulu, and Masai tribes. Its presence in ancient times was viewed as an artwork displayed among one’s head, which could tell about one’s identity through the design and decor of the braids.
Braids are multi-functional, being both aesthetically pleasing to the eye and healthy for the scalp. Braids are one of the types titled as a “protective style,” in which functions to keep the hair from tension for when it has to be constantly styled, thus promoting hair growth and length.
Laying the groundwork for braiding is quite simple: firstly, parting sections in the scalp, secondly, intertwining synthetic hair and the natural hair into the braid shape, and finally, ending the braid by dipping it with hot water so the braid will not unravel.
However, even though the process seems quite easy, the time it takes to complete the hairstyle varies drastically because of the different complex designs.
Sydnie Taylor, an 11th grader at RCHS, said her braids took around three to four hours to complete.
Braids of today’s time are versatile and take on many different designs and forms. The braids worn can almost be seen as customizable, since the color, size, and design of the braids are up to the individual.
Braid styles such as Bohemian braids, mini braids, lemonade braids, and Fulani braids are just a few of the many braid styles that can be worn to fit one’s preference. And even accessories like shells, beads, strings, and rings can be added to further personalize one’s braids.
#2 The Afro: a power statement from the past
The Afro hairstyle is a living history of the pursuance and feats accomplished by black people from the past. This hairstyle, like other hairstyles worn by African-Americans, dates back to tribes in pre-colonial Africa. Afros, similar to other hairstyles of the past, were able to tell social rank and also held spiritual significance. Lush UK stated that since the Afro-hair was the highest point on the body, it was believed by the tribal people to be the passageway for gods and spirits to enter the soul.
The whole meaning of the word Afro is thought to be derived from the word ‘Afro-American,’ relating to the African
American people. This short word was brought into the mainstream via the ‘Natural Hair Movement’ of the 60’s and 70’s in the U.S., where Black people stood against the European ideals of ‘straight hair’ by fully embracing their natural fros.
In this movement, Black figures like Angela Davis, Jimi Hendricks, and Micheal Jackson, inspired the African-American masses to embrace their natural kinky textures, which were once oppressed and mocked by white people during slavery. This hairstyle soon evolved into a full statement for Black people who wanted to reclaim their roots. Afros large or small were all accepted in their natural state, and even during this time, beauty products were marketed towards black people to further promote the idea of embracing their curls.
Afros are maintained with minimal work having to be done to achieve the look. The Afro is most associated with the 4C hair type, when the curls are brushed out and lay in a rounded frame, but are common with other textures as well. Afros can be dressed down or up with accessories like clips or flowers in the hair. There are also variations of Afro-styles now like the Afro Puff where the Afro is tied by a rubber band. This style is forever a symbol of self-love and determination for most Black people.
#3 Locs: locked in memories
The style of dreadlocks, also known as locs, locks, and dreads, are mainly represented by the African-American people, but its style was shared in many other cultures throughout history. MFL stated that traces of the hairstyle were discovered through archeological remains or rooted in spiritual beliefs in Africa, India, Greek, and American Civilizations.
The origins for locs in the U.S. hold an unpleasant history. When African Americans came to the U.S. during the Atlantic slave trade, their once treasured locs were seen as ‘ugly’ and ‘dreadful’ by European people of the time. This tainted the meaning of dreadlocks to a negative expression of African American culture.
However, in the 20th century, the style of dreadlocks became relevant again after the exile of Ras Tafari, the former
Ethiopian Emperor. His followers protested his exile by refusing to cut their hair or style it until the emperor returned. Thus, the name Rastafarians began, which expanded into a subculture and way of life in Jamaica. The Rastafarians wore dreadlocks as a political and social movement in memory of their African ancestors.
From there and continuing on, dreadlocks became mainstream and universalized by the Rastafarians. The styling of locs in modern times has changed from just being free form (without parting or styling) to also becoming manipulated (with styling and parts).
Now, people can even go to specialized hairstylists called ‘Locticians’ who create different styles of locks like sister locks, Micro Locs, Sister-locs, Crochet Locs, Faux Locs and Wicks. These locs vary in sizes, lengths, and colors that are all up to the individual.
Locs have and continue to evolve over time, connecting cultures and holding significance for many throughout history. Even celebrities like Rihanna and Zendaya have worn Locs before.
Naila Cooper, a freshman, explained how her locs are special to her identity.
“I think locs are a statement for me because they aren’t like the generic braids or box braids,” Cooper said.
#4 Twists- Interlocking Cultures Together
Twists are a simple yet expressive hairstyle that has constantly evolved since ancient times. Similar to other Black hairstyles, this was worn by African women in African tribes that told about their social rank.
Later, in the 60’s and 70’s this hairstyle was brought back into society following the Natural Hair Movement.
This technique to form a twist is simple, using strands of the natural hair and twisting it together to get a rope-like shape. However, there are variations of this hairstyle like passion twists which use pre-twisted crochet hair to weave it into the braid, and classic two-strand twists that use natural hair. The shape of twists can be thick or thin, and also can be accessorized using beads and rings.
Celebrities like Keke Palmer and Halle Bailey have been seen wearing twists in the media.
Sydney Brodie, an 11th grader at RCHS shared her love for her passion twists.
“I really like the way [my twists] make me look. I feel like it makes me look beautiful and frames my face nicely. The style is also just easy,” Brodie said. “[Passion twists] allows me to be represented in a mature way.”
Celebrating Natural Coils
The hair texture and style any Black person possesses is unique and holds compelling stories in each of its history as it continues to progress and transcend boundaries. From tribal hairstyles like Sengalese twists and Fulani braids to modern hairstyles like Marley Locs and Bohemian Braids, the topic of Black girls hairstyles are always under the spotlight for greatness.
“My hair makes me feel better about myself when I look in the mirror,” sophomore Sydnie Taylor said. “I feel like my hairstyle is unique to black girls, so it helps to bond me with every other Black girl.”
