-,
Hi tory of AfrIcan
1
e've called' kinky, wooly,
frizzy, and ppy. We'Ve labeled
. good, bad, � in
between. Today 've finally
come to accept ourhair for what
iti - because itrs our heritage
i; the most wnatile hair in the
human race - with a unique
texture that lends itself to the
widest variety of lyles.
From antiquity to modern
times, African women have
been pioneers of hair fashion.
The recoreded history of
African hair began with our
foremothers over SOOO years
ago. The ancient arts of
cornrowing. hair treading, intri­
cate hair srulpturing, braids,
twists, and dreadlocks all
origin ted in Afri ca centuries
ago, and often denoted the age,
marital status, social standing
and tribe or rank of the wearer.
These hairstyles, which graced
the heads of African queens and
priestesses, were passed down
from generation to generation.
Many of them are still popular
hair choices among African
women today.
During the brutal years of
slavery, African women had vi,r­
tually no opportinity to engage
in the time-consuming hair
rit practiced in the mother­
land. Out of neces ity they'·
resorted to simp e plaits and
headwraps as a means of keep­
ing their hair well groomed. The
idea of straightening hair grew
out of t e need to keep it in a
flat, untangled, more manage­
able tate. Early methods of hair
straightening involved heating a
piece of flannel before an' open
fire, oi . the hair with lard,
and pulling strands of hair
through the hot flannel.
The early 1900's brought new
hairstyling tool giving us new
hairstyling options. Madame
C.J. Walker redesigned the
European hot comb to suit the
needs of our hair, and we were
able to groom and style our hair
as never before.
During the 1920' ,30's and
40's, pres ing e hair with a
straightening comb" became a
ritual in African American
homes. The bi-weekly press and
curl technique enabl d women
to achic a variety of styles:
m rcel or finger waves,
upsweeps, French rolls, chig­
nons, Dutch bobs, Shirley
Temple curls, pompadours and
pony tails. . I
The 1940's mar ed the ad­
vent of' chemical hair
straighten rs. Surprisingly, it
w s African American men,
rather n omen (most
no bly entertainers) 0 first
used these lye-based products.
These harsh, homemade con­
ooctions produced the hairstyle
known as the "conk" or
"-n-.... I
a-v-.. y straigbteaUag Black hair. of sty� for women
In the 1950's coJDJDercial The e greatly improved to .penn. their hair.
hair stt' tCuers e intro- products called ·re1uers· de The early 1960's
duced I a means pf per:maDta .- possi>le an C\'eIl greater variety otowo· years. Sins
dtyl
African
nd prien tesses
centrui 0; are stil popul
I h ir choice amon Black
w en today.
The hair tyle tbat had the
greatest Impad ia our tory
the Afro or the 60's
Inth 40' hair
curled with marcell iro ,the
forerunners of today' crimp-
I
iog irons.
","',. -
Kinky, vy or tralgbt, 10 or
hort, ccordin to experts at
Clalrol, Black hair in the 80'
'11 be limited only by the im­
agination ortb wearer.
Supremes influenced hairstyles
with their bouffants, flips,
teased topes, and pageboys.
Hairsprays were used to main­
tain these styles. Women used
wigs, falls, and other hair pieces
to help create these longer
styles. -
B t'most important, the mid
to late 60's brought the Afro -
a style that had tremendous im­
pact, not just -on the African
American community, but
the history of our country as
well. Wearing one was more
than just an affirmation 0
beauty or an ackowledgement
of racial pride. The Afro made
a political statement so strong,
that wearing one during the
height of the civil rights move­
ment, meant risking hostile
overtures from other Blacks.
In the 1970's, extension
braids became an alternative to
the Afro of the 60's. However,
cornrows, naturals, dreadlocks,
relaxers, and press and curls all
provided to be viable hair alter­
natives for BI ck women from
aU walks of life ..
Then a new style too its
place among these options -
the curly perm w born! Soon
men, women, women, and
children were wearing these­
new chemically-included "gerri­
curls."
Now, in the late 1980's owing .
to advancements in hair product
technology and the influence of -
celebrities, almost anything
goes. Our hairstyles are no
longer political statements and
we can experiment freely. We
are wearing a greater variety of
textures lengths, and styles than
ever before. The natural h
gone geometric. Cur ly perms
are loose and freer. Weaves and
extensions and volume and
length. And our option also in­
dud ymmetrical cuts, buzz
cuts spikes, wave and crimps,
According to experts, haircolor
has become fashion, enjoying
wide pread use as a co metic
for hair.
As we approach the 1990's,
top NY hair tylist, Jeffer y
Woodley predict that II e
a return to the widespread
wearin of our hair in its natu 1
sate ..
"It's all about texture," say
Jeffrey, "Texture is the key -
everybody wants it .. And Black
hair comes in so many different
types of texture. Cut will still be
important, but the lines will be
more softened and much less
severes."
Since the unique texture of
our hair is so readily accepted,
we will come full circle to
proudly display the heritage 0
our hair in the 90's.
..
I ..