"The decline of African hair was the result of the slave owner's denying the slaves time for proper grooming, and ignoring the need for a comb. As slavery was accepted as the way of life, the hope of recapturing the African beauty they once possessed was lost to the Africans and their descendents.
Furthermore, as they listened to and felt the negative reaction of the overseers, they began to lose the appreciation for their African ancestry."
"400 Years Without a Comb: The Untold Story"
by Willie L. Morrow, Chapter: "Curly Hair in Bondage", Page 55
1444: Europeans trade on the west coast of Africa with people wearing elaborate hairstyles, including locks, plaits and twists.
1619: First slaves brought to Jamestown; African language, culture and grooming tradition begin to disappear.
1700s: Calling black hair “wool,” many whites dehumanize slaves. The more elaborate African hairstyles cannot be retained.
1800s: Without the combs and herbal treatments used in Africa, slaves rely on bacon grease, butter and kerosene as hair conditioners and cleaners. Lighter-skinned, straight-haired slaves command higher prices at auction than darker, more kinky-haired ones. Internalizing color consciousness, blacks promote the idea that blacks with dark skin and kinky hair are less attractive and worth less.
1865: Slavery ends, but whites look upon black women who style their hair like white women as well-adjusted. “Good” hair becomes a prerequisite for entering certain schools, churches, social groups and business networks.
1880: Metal hot combs, invented in 1845 by the French, are readily available in the United States. The comb is heated and used to press and temporarily straighten kinky hair.
1900s: Madame C.J. Walker develops a range of hair-care products for black hair. She popularizes the press-and-curl style. Some criticize her for encouraging black women to look white.
1910: Walker is featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the first American female self-made millionaire.
1920s: Marcus Garvey, a black nationalist, urges followers to embrace their natural hair and reclaim an African aesthetic.
1954: George E. Johnson launches the Johnson Products Empire with Ultra Wave Hair Culture, a “permanent” hair straightener for men that can be applied at home. A women’s chemical straightener follows.
Our Hair has a History. Hair’s value was increased even more in the spiritual realm. The Yoruba people were required to keep their hair braided in certain styles as a part of their religion. The head is the most northern part of the body and viewed as the part of the body that is closest to the heavens and therefore communication from the God’s and spirits would pass through the hair.Yoruba say.
Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Thursday, October 4th 2012 at 12:21AM
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