Hair Journey with Laurencia

Afro hair can range from several different styles from braids, natural hair to weave. Black hair has always been versatile and continues to evolve. Historically braids have and still are a part of tribal customs in many parts of Africa. Have a look at my short timeline of black hair culture.

One specific braid style called cornrows was often worn by women. It can be traced back through a Stone Age painting in the Tassili Plateau of Sahara. This is dated back as far as 3000 BC. Braid patterns signified what African tribe someone was from, patterns or hairstyles also indicated other things such as wealth and religion.

Males of all ages style the cornrows look or canerows for Caribbean descendants. This braid style can be traced back to the early nineteenth century to Ethiopia. Warriors and kings such as Tewodros II and Yohannes IV were depicted wearing cornrows.

The history doesn’t stop there with Native American paintings also showing cornrows as a hairstyle going back at least 1,000 years. Elaborate patterns in the past were done for occasions such as weddings, social ceremonies or even war preparations. Journalist Lori Tharps, co-writer of the book Hair Story, where she discusses the history of black hair. In her book that “many believed that hair, given its close location to the skies, was the conduit for spiritual interaction with God.” If you want to have a read click the link here https://loritharps.com/books/hair-story/

Hair in the past and even today is also used as a creative aspect of people’s lives. In the 1960’s afros were used as a symbol of rebellion. Members of the Black Panthers often had the afros out. They were portrayed in the media as rebellious and this could be linked to how the afros became a symbol of rebellion. Today especially, hair is used as an expression of oneself. Afro hair is interchangeable and this blog will highlight great styles to express yourself this summer. Whatever you want to do with it.