Hair Culture for Africa Day

We want to use this day to bring you a little closer to the hair culture of the continent. Even though Africa's history is incredibly diverse, turbulent, vibrant, and constantly evolving, hair culture has stayed largely - if not entirely - unchanged in many countries.

Africa Day was launched on May 25, 1963, in Ethiopia. The Organisation of African Unity, known today as the African Union, was set up to support African nations in gaining their independence. Since then, this day has been celebrated every year - not only in Africa, but around the world. In recent years, each celebration has had a specific theme. This year's theme is: Our Africa, Our Future.

In pre-colonial Africa, hairstyles were a form of identity. Every tribe had its own way of styling hair, and some hairstyles carried symbolic meaning. For example, there were hairstyles for war, for girls in puberty, or for pregnant women.

To celebrate Africa Day, we want to introduce you to some well-known hair practices from North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa:

Braiding

Comes in many different forms. Cornrows are thought to date back to 3000 BCE. Some of the most common forms are twists, cornrows, and box braids. With all of these hairstyles, symmetry and precision are key. All three forms can serve as an everyday look, a protective style, or a base for hair extensions. Examples include flat/mini twists, jumbo/butterfly braids, cornrows, and simple cornrows used as a base for a protective style.

Sahrawi cornrows come from North Africa. Traditionally, the hair is parted into two main sections and extended so it reaches down to the elbows.

African Threading and Bantu Knots

Has been part of the hair care routine in Sub-Saharan countries for many generations. Sections of hair are wrapped with a black thread. This method stretches and strengthens the hair without needing a blow dryer or aflat iron. This form of hair extension counts as a protective style - and works great under a wig, for example.

Bantu Knots originally come from the Zulu people in southern Africa. The hair is divided into sections, twisted, and coiled into a spiral, forming a round knot. The word "Bantu" means "people."

Dreadlocks/Locks

Are still worn today by many people across many nations. Among the Hamar people in Ethiopia, for example, ochre dreadlocks are common. Ochre, a natural clay made of iron/iron oxide along with varying amounts of clay and sand, gives the hair a beautiful color.

French braid

The French braid is very popular under the hijab. This braid keeps your curls together under the hijab and protects your natural hair (with this braiding technique, the shorter strands fit in nicely too). A ponytail and a low bun are also widespread and very popular.