The History Of Black Women'S Hair
- Posted on 19 February, 2020
- Hair Care
- By Anonymous
Black Women's Hair has played an important role in survival. Watch freelance makeup artist Zainab Jay, recreate some methods of hairstyling that were essential for the survival of African people.
Zainab is recreating an African braiding technique that were created by our Ancestors to prevent hunger during slavery. In case you didn't know, many African women braided Gold, rice or seeds into their hair so they'd at least have a small amount of food for sustenance.
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For centuries, our hair has been a way to express our creativity and culture, but imagine if it meant the difference between life and death. Hi my name's A & M J, I'm a freelance makeup artist from London and I work in film and television today, I'm going to be recreating some methods of hairstyling that were essential for the survival of African people for our people. Hair has played an important role in survival. Our ancestors would place rice, seeds and sometimes gold on the stout between two sections of hair. They did this so that if they were captured and forced to voyage across the Atlantic, they'd at least have a small amount of food for sustenance. The technique was also used if they were planning a brave escape seeds and gold could help them build their new life. Finding out that people hits food in hair was really a shock to me, but I also wasn't surprised because I don't think there's a style that is more meaningful than braiding. It'S been used for so many reasons for our African history. It makes this style even more meaningful, even more powerful gives me even more of a reason to wear braids proudly, we found in the 1800's African women were required to keep their hair covered in head wraps, except on Sundays, when some could remove the wrap and style Their hair for church, when left with nothing but their spirit, resilience shone through butter and other household items were used to moisturize and condition with no cones or brushes available. They'D use wool carding tools to comb through tangles. It wasn't much, but it was one little moment when they could feel human again. They even use bacon grease for hair care and protective styling. If our hair could talk, it would tell you a story of power. There'S no bad texture. Our coils hold the DNA of survivors be proud, be bold, be unapologetically yourself.
Comments
char nyc: schools NEED to teach this, maybe actually educating people about why black culture should not be appropriated will help stop the ignorance.
izzyy: See, it’s not JUST hair. It was a key point to their survival at some point. I’m angry that I had to learn this on Tik Tok, and not in school. This is something important.
Emma D: Bruh why don’t schools teach this
Annabelle Martinez: “be unapologetically yourself” *me in the back*: PERIODDDD
Reece: As a young black girl with 4c hair hearing "there is no bad hair" Made me smile
SUNSHINE JOSEPH: Been natural for yrs, never like perm or anything that will interfere with my naturals. I have embrace my race since I started reading and learned about my history. Black is beautiful, black is proud, black is where I want to be..
Rachael Nwaoha: As a black person, when I hear these stories it angers me to the core when I hear black men make fun of our hair! Especially when they have kids that don’t have hair like ours, but their mother & sisters do!
Renee A: Our roots hold history ✊
Gabrielle Simms: Anyone else didn't come here from tik tok and just found this in their recommendation. Anyone. No. Okay. Edit: wow never gotten this much likes. Also this is a beautiful video. I live in Jamaica and I've learnt a lot in history but I've never learnt this b4.
Pimpdaddychampagne: Im mixed so I don’t really feel like I belong anywhere at most times, but this video makes me feel proud that I came from a line of bad ass black womenand proud to even be black!!
Karah Stoffel: The fact that I never once learned about this at school makes me so mad.
olusegun abiola: Am proud to be black,am proud to be an african girl
Lady Gaga’s meat dress: I used to think it was just hair but after watching this video I’m ashamed of ever thinking that. I’m glad I learned about the importance of hairstyles in black culture :) It’s important to be able to understand and respect different cultures and I’m ashamed of not looking this up sooner. I’ll make sure to keep informing myself from now on on different aspects of black culture. I never would’ve thought braids had such an important role, I’m glad I know now
Christi .Ananna: This is so beautiful. Our hair is described as unprofessional, and not neat or not proper like non-whites! And knowing history like this of the hair that I have, is amazing
Leron Hill: Beautiful rich heritage and history . I’m so thankful to be melaninated , I’m proud to come from Africans . I’m so happy to be Black . Thank you for this beautiful representation of what truly is beautiful as well as historically resourceful
Shennel Courtney: I just learned this for the first time wow they need to teach this in schools and everywhere! Knowledge is power!
1-800-DOJA: The model they used for showing the different techniques on her hair is just amazing. She's beautiful
Mfn. Cori: Really was yelling PERIODT throughout the whole videolove being black
Cooking Delight Recipes 😊: I really didn’t know they hide rice in their hair during Slavery. I’m learning and want to know more
India at peace: I found this video on facebook yesterday. I absolutely love it. I want to learned more about my culture. I hope crowned Ladies do more video me like this. Their following would grow so fast.
AmzzTv: Why do I feel like it's just me who didn't know this? Society needs to do better on black history.
Dacia: pretty sure those dislikes came from Caucasian people with braids in their hair
Za’Nyia Lobdell: Loved this video so much❤️ I really want to learn more
sierra🥱💕: I saw a white girl wearing braids and she said “black girls could never” then I said “you would’ve never back then and you still can’t now so the point caption of this picture is irrelevant.”
Dibo Akale: This is so emotional for me. I have kids. Imagine living and knowing that they could be taken away from you or that you had to plan for your babies to escape
Ruth Vilu: I used to HATE my hair, now I'm learning to love it.
Naturally Dope: I embrace my natural hair I've been natural for a little over seven years and my daughter she Embraces her natural hair ever since she started her middle school year and she's graduating from high school in may. I remember when she first went natural the kids was so cruel to her that her Middle School I had to remind her you are beautiful inside and out don't ever let no one paint the narrative that you're not because the way you wear your hair.
Zinhlemfusi MfusiZinhle: We really need to be taught this at school im really shocked and proud
Mansi Kulkarni: THIS HAS TO BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS. AND SHOULD BE TOLD THE SMALL KIDS THAT ALL COLOURS ARE BEAUTIFUL.
Danni J: Thank you for this. The texture of our hair sets us apart. I am grateful that as a Black woman I thread on the shoulders of my resilient, soft and beautiful female ancestors.
Chichi Onwuzuruike: Can we talk about how beautiful these models are!!!!!
Madeline Lore: Very powerful lesson I leaned by watching this video. Knowledge is everything. Thank you for posting. I’m trying to educate myself on black history. ❤️
ThaT Dork: This was very informative, I now know some of the history and importance of braids. As a white person I feel ashamed that I didn't look into this before I took a stance on any matters dealing with this. No white person should wear something so sacred to black culture.
Sonal Sagaraya: Wow!! Glad that I came across this video. Ever since I was a kid I have been immensely fascinated with braids because there was this beautiful African woman who lived in my area she was married to an Indian guy, every time I saw her I used to wish I had hair like her. Later when I grew up I realized that if I ever tried out this look I would get criticized and as a social media person, I never wanted to offend anyone. I would love to have a conversation with you guys on this subject. Please let me know if it's ok for me to try something out because I really appreciate how beautiful it is? or if it's still inappropriate for me to try it as in an Indian Guyanese?
Amber: I don't like the part when she says"It wasn't much, but it was one little moment when they can feel human again". We are human and we always were!
FeeFee 86: Butter was used in my hair when I was a little girl it's a good moisturizer❤❤❤❤❤
s p i t: beautiful, this should be a series!!!
Stixx Kool-aid: Even as a white person watching these on Snapchat from crowned ladies is litterally so engaging. Learning the culture and how if I ever was asked to do hair on people of color who keep it natural is such good knowlage everyone should know. So cool
celia yeung: How incredible is this? I wish they would teach this in school! I’m so blown away by the fact that this was a thing!
UPDS_0です: They really should teach this in all schools around the world, it’s very interesting and amazing
Joy Anderson: I knew that they carried seeds with them but I didn't know it was braided into the hair. They used Vaseline to keep lice, bowevils,roaches, bedbugs etc out of the hair.
QBee240: Afro hair is just on another level and the black women that still don’t know that are in a sunken place.
😂😂😂: Braids/extensions are also part of our history. It just varies on what region your home tribe was from
Daisy x 100: Beautiful video ... so proud to be black ✊
Tiahnna Yasmine: Proves how clever they are I actually feel like crying
maureen harris: This history is being told often and I say it's about time! Thanks a million
Royalty S: Loved this!!! This needs yo go viral instead of tik tok bs ❤️❤️
Princess Tye: That was a beautiful video! I almost shedded a tear!
too cool: Now this here ... is truly beautiful
Ellen Pearl Jackson: Thank you at 82 years old I appreciate what you have done all my life they depicted black women's kinky hair short that you couldn't even comb I don't even have the words to express myself how much I appreciate this knowledge thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart you showed that back women's hair is beautiful
Queen Prophetess: This made me cry proud tears!
Teresa Jackson: I came here to learn about black women's hair for a book character I'm making and now I'm on the brink of tears
Myia LaShaun: This NEEDS TO BE LONGER I WANNA KNOW MOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Over The Bridge: Those models are absolutely beautiful. Happy Black History Month❤️
nilleyi: As a west African, could you please be more specific, Africa is a whole continent, when you say African people used to do this or that, you are not differentiating between different areas who had different story, habits and ways. Nevertheless this video explained well why our hair is not just simply hair, I mean when we wear braids or put decorations in them it means something.
Sabrina Alexandra: I'm proud to be a black woman ❤
Maisey Martinez: Wow this is smart also idk why celebrities keeps doing it if they don’t know cultal about it doe like brades had a rlly long story for surviving doe it’s not a trend it’s something to help u survive and it’s about African American culture I love learning more about the culture braids shook me the most
Yourgemini: Her skin is so pretty like wish I had her skin
Lydia Brown: Magnificent video! The model and the hairstylist are absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
Clive Ferguson: This is so amazingly informative ❤❤
SexxyNetta Sweetie: WE ARE SUCH BEAUTIFUL AND MAGNIFICENT PEOPLE, I LOVE MYSELF SO VERY MUCH I ADORE BEING ME I WOULDN'T TRADE MY SKIN TONE IN FOR ANY POT OF GOLD. I LOVE MY BLACK PEOPLE DEARLY. AND WE ALL ARE LOVED AND WE ALL ARE THE CREATORS CHILDREN AND WE WAS BLESSED WITH ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL AND LOVE IS OUR MAJOR GIFT, THAT MOST ARE INCAPABLE OF DOING. PEACE
Shannon Gregg: WOWWW.... this here is very interesting, I love learning facts like this. This encourages me to embrace and love my crown even more so.
memento vivere: I'm white but love dreads. I've been trying to learn about African hair and its roots. Very eye opening
Waka Waka Abby: I watched my mum making hair for hundreds of women while growing up. What a creative way to survive.
Diane Decoste: I learned so much, thx for this beautiful video :)
Kadija D fairy: I’m getting my hair braided today r.i.p tender head
S Bella: I wish this video was longer. I love this. Especially the way the video was made. I didn't k ow any of this!!! Please do more.
Priyesh Roy: In my country india many people usually matters of colour i personally saw many girls and boys saying that they want a fair life partner But i am the one who actually loves black people Idk why but i feel that black people are much more beautiful then white Btw i am neither black nor white I am just a fellow asian But i wish to be black ☺️
۵Exotic Chxrry۵: The fact that my mom and I never knew about this is sad in our entire life is sad
Megan White: So much hate in these comments... love each other damn it! Regardless of where any of us came from, we can all love one another and be happy!
mani john: I love my culture so much!
Queen Prophetess: Love this!!✊
Paige Iroegbu: LOVE IT!!✊
Funmilayo Boni: If man can also unerstand this and look for woman who love her natural hair, this will be amazing..hahaha...
ggade. kkw: Educated me so much .I feel pround how black history was. So emotional
Yes: How come THIS DOESN'T HAVE MORE VIEWS?????
Charmaine Sweat: Wow food in our hair,something to keep alive. Very positive our hair just like our skin is much more than the eyes can see. OMG Thank You
Ma Vie Ma ResponsAbility: Une très belle vidéo et instructive merci ❤
you just got burned!: I'm crying right now, African American rappers and influencers diss on is making us feel like we're crap,when really...we are SURVIVORS! #Survivalofthefittest!
flowerpink33: This is so because. Let me go get some gold chips and put them in my braids. Loved this.
Lauren Sullivan: Every day I learn something. Brilliant.
Shahnaj Pervin: I am bengali and I never understood why black woman got angry at other races for appropating their hair, I was always confused and thought it’s just hair like what’s the big deal. I am so glad I watched this video, wow I never knew this and they never teach us this in schools. I just cried watching this the fact that they have to eat food by placing it in hair. So inhumane what black people went through.
Atoz Reaction: Why the hell we weren't taught this in school?? It's sad how we have to learn this from youtube, so much stuff I've been kept in the dark about and I'm betting even more.
AuthorHollingsworth: Happy Juneteenth, kings and queens!!!!
I C E: Can we get society past eurocentric beauty standards smh
ShaDimes ASMR: Wow this is amazing
Étoile Marie: As a black girl i was ignorant not knowing that i just learnt from that video i think schools must teach that history
A AA: I’m not entirely sure as to why people are asking why this isn’t taught in schools, it’s your job to find out especially if your being educated in a western country.
Wokeishh: I love this
Mountain Model: Education ❤️ Our Story
Aztec 21: "Finding out people hid food in their hair was really a shock to me but I also wasn't surprised". Huh?? Lady you can't be shocked and not surprised. Its one or the other.
Ladosha Wright: Absolutely beautiful
Jessika Caroline: Very interesting! I never imagined something like that. Thanks for the video!
Lady Ash: This video brought me life ❤️
c1peewee: Then if you are going to be yourself take the cake off we don’t hide behind nothing .them that put on make up is ugly and insecure period even if you was burn or have have scars it’s okay it is still who we are it’s apart of our history and our scars tell others we are strong
Alimatu's Planet🌎: We are amazing people. Always have been.
Miss Yisrael Hoodoo High Priestess: Proud of my 4C hair!
kb: I love black women ❤️❤️❤️
sabrina Kk: I kind of knew about the rice in the hair . But I didn’t know why .. wow! This was a great video!!
selena h: I see a lot of comments saying why they don't teach this at school and I'm surprised in my school we learn everything even about the indigenous people in the world the native american about our hair in Ethiopia we never been colonized so they teach us the real history proud