Black hair is so versatile, It’s trendsetting. There are so many styles to pull off and more continuing to be created. Not many people know the history of the many hairstyles being worn by Africans Americans as they appreciate and embrace their culture.
Other times we see black hairstyles being appropriated. People like Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian have often worn these hairstyles without giving proper credit to the origination of the sleek cornrows and geometric box braids. Scrolling on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag braids and someone is bound to find Khloe Kardashian and the reference to “Khloe Braids” which are essentially cornrows. Where is her mention that she did not coin the hairstyle but rather copied it?
An example of the origination of braids can still be seen in many tribes within Africa. Of course, we see the influence of braids in the black communities in America with Poetic Justice braids and modern-day Senegal twists which come from Senegal, Africa.
(@thomasnichos_photography via nappy.co )
There are other braids that you can see trace back to the Tigray people of Ethiopia and Mbalantu people of Namibia. Rightfully so African Americans have also contributed to the history of braids and also struck us with a reminder of just how creative black people are.
During the 1600s-1800s in America, the black people enslaved would hide rice in the hair of their children. This was done so as storage for future necessities. The rice would be woven within the braids and tucked so that it would not fall during the times of escape or journey.
(@knowyourcaribbean via Essence )
Another historic fact about braids is seen in the way they different directions and partings that form intricate designs. Well, these designs at one point were formulated precisely using real paths known to free slaves and get to other important destinations. With no map and compass and placed in a violent and dangerous environment made it important for the people to know their surroundings. A way to help memorize directions was by redrawing it onto the scalp using zig zags and slants similar to the many creative braids we see in Instagram explorer pages and even the runway.
( @Paulbonafideeferianor via nappy.co )
Violating moments of such historical attributes have been mimicked on fashion runways. Maria Ke Fisherman’s Spring 2015 season, Giorgio Armani’s “knots and braids” as they call it, are all ways non-black people have taken black culture for monetary benefits.
(Photo Courtesy of Esteticamagazine)
Without properly referring to the hairstyles, using black models, and highlighting on the history, it is safe to say they are capitalizing on black hair and not appreciating its rich culture.