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To The Root: Cornrows

Dating as far back as 3000 B.C, West Africans would wear these tightly knit braids as a protective style. With the enslavement of African peoples, the protection brought by this style was not only for hair. Enslaved Africans would use cornrows in many different ways to aid in survival of the unforgiving plantations. Maps for escape tunnels and paths were communicated through the intricate braids. Also, even grains of rice or small nuts were weaved into styles to feed runways slaves. Now cornrows serve as a stylish way to represent the traditions of African Americans from years past, who also are continuing protective practices of their ancestors.

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To The Root: Zulu Braids

In the Zulu community, the women would wear these braids to represent their status in the community. Typically only royal or greatly wealthy women would be able to preform and wear this style. The braids are adorned with rich beads and shells that were meant to signify its wearers age, status, and other personal aspects. The women of today also use beads to enhance the detail and beauty of this style.

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To The Root: Ngala

Traditionally worn by the Igbo women of Nigeria, the Ngala served as a representation of pride and regality. This style would typically be done during weddings, coronations, and other celebrations of life. Colored beads, shells, and gems are placed at the crown of the style, and colors can be customized by women who wear it for the occasion. The Ngala's elegance has symbolized polished pride for Igbo women for years, and continue to grace traditional and American African weddings.

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To The Root: African Threads

Across the African diaspora, the hairstyle of African Threading has been a popular style amongst women. Commonly used by the Yoruba women of Nigeria, threads have served as a protective form of hair care. Lasting up to about 6 to 8 weeks, women would spend hours creating elaborative styles and formations of hair with the threads. Gaining popularity in the states, more women are using threading as a form of hair stretching and protection against damaging products or weather. Due to its versatility, threading has become a widely used style that is protective and unique to the individual wearing it.

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To The Root: Senegalese Twists

Senegalese Twists, also known as Rao in its originating country of Senegal, served as a technique and hairstyle for the women when doing their hair. Its finger based technique was done withe Yoss, black dyed vegetable fibers, and was passed down through generations. It allowed for the women to showcase any jewelry or traditional headscarves woven by themselves or other female family members. Both traditionally and modern Senegalese twists show as a symbol of community, beauty, and skill within the community of women who wear them.

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To The Root: Fulani Braids

The Fulani women of West Africa have worn Fulani braids for thousands of years as a symbol of identity and femininity. Small cornrows are put into different patterns, decorated with beads and rings are what make up the style. In West Africa, women would also wear the style to represent the social, marital, or wealth status. In present time, the braided patterns have become more elaborate. Stylists have been able to include initials, shapes, and even different colored hair into the braids. Fulani braids are a beautiful representation of the femininity and power of its wearers.

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To The Root: Amasunzu

Famously worn by actress Lupita Nyong'o, the Amasunzu hairstyle was meant to serve as a demonstration of social status. Amongst the people of the Tutsi and Hutu, who resided in the country of Rwanda, this style signified different things between the men and women. For men, it was worn by warriors as a demonstration of their bravery or power. Whilst the women or young girls would typically wear it as a symbol of their innocence and readiness to marry. Both messages brought by the hairstyle would communicate nonverbally the place and individual held in their society at the time.

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To The Root: The Bantu

Originating from the Zulu peoples of South Africa, the Bantu knots were a style that stood as a symbol of femininity and demonstration of class. In todays time it is one of the most common and highest form of Black pride. Also, although the style is typically worn in Southern and Western Africa, the word Bantu derives from the Bantu people who have been around for hundreds of years. The word itself also translates to "people", which deepens the significance of the style and its ability to connect its wearers to other women of the past.

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To The Root: Infamous Afro

In the 1800s, Black individuals were freed from the binds of slavery and pushed into new shackles of European beauty standards. The pressure to fit into or adjust to their white peers resulted in years of perming and heat damage. It wasn't until the 1960s during the Civil Rights Era, which had many pro Black attributes, where the Afro was widely celebrated and accepted. It became a stand against African Americans having to conform to social standards and "professional" policies that attempted to silence them. In todays time, the "Fro" is greatly encouraged to young Black girls across the vast amount of textures and lengths. The Fro is now seen as an extension of ones beauty or self love, and a tribute to those before them.

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To The Root: Blog 1

In this series of blogs I will be identifying Black hair styles that have historic roots and origins within the Black community. Hair is such a key piece to the culture; providing a sense of self identity, representation of ones group, and even an aid in safety precautions. Each style will have its own description of origin, example in current time, and importance of its existence. The hair of Black Women has been such a thing of discourse for many years. Whether it be deemed as too much or too loud, to when its mimic or copied its downplayed to "just a hairstyle". With these blogs I will demonstrate how deep the roots of these hairstyles are.