121 Responses to “sunday retrospectives: natural not hot in nigeria?”

1. 

   tara 22 November 2009 at 10:50 am Permalink

   I grew up in Nigeria and the US. My parents (both academics) did not allow me to relax or straighten my hair until I got to University.

   I resented it immensely having to go through high school in Madison Wisconsin with natural hair, but I am so glad for it now because it taught me to understand and be comfortable with my hair.

   I now live in a small town in the UK with no access to African-Caribbean salons. I have been natural now for almost 5 years and will never go back.

   Went home to Nigeria recently with natural hair and every one couldn’t stop going on about my hair. Wore it in twists-outs using a UK brand – NaturalCurls – http://www.naturalcurls.co.uk.

   Everyone thought I had texturised it and I spent half of my visit explaining the dos and donts of shampooing, cowashing, conditioning our natural hairtype.

   My hair is shoulder-length, my grandmother, mother and aunty have hair down to their backs – and all they use is black soap, shea butter and coconut oil….go figure really!!!!

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2. 

   Igbo Kwenu 27 November 2009 at 11:53 pm Permalink

   Recently, I watched a talk on youtube (I think) given by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the acclaimed Nigerian author of “Purple Hibiscus”, “Half of a Yellow Sun”, and “The Thing Around Your Kneck”. The title of the talk was “The Danger of the Single Story” (or something along those lines) and its theme was that human beings often base their knowledge and/or perceptions of others on a single story culled from a limited source. The single story of Africa is what sparked this thread, i.e., as a place where only “natural things” are allowed including hair, where everyone lives in abject poverty, people are fed by the UN, absolutely everyone lives in a hut and carries a spear, and absolutely no one has seen a tv or read a book.

   A good number of Americans (including African-Americans) have this one-dimensional view of Africa that is so dangerously myopic. In my experience, when Americans encounter individuals or viewpionts from the Continent that don’t fit their understanding of what it means to be African, they seem perplexed. This is what started this thread: an American “discovered” that not all Nigerians like to be natural…and THIS is supposed to be news. That’s like “discovering” that not all African-Americans like the use of the word Nigger. Question. Do all Americans like to be natural? I think not. So, why do you expect ALL Nigerians to like to be natural? Why is your expectation of us so different from your expectation of yourselves? Are we not human beings with a myriad of likes and dislikes just like you?

   The best tip that I can give to those reading that are unfamiliar with Nigeria or any other African country, is to not assume anyting about any African country and keep an open mind. This goes for any country. The world has gone global and it is a market place of ideas, which are constantly being exchanged to those who care to participate. Also, traditional practices/customs/belief systems have not died simply becuase we are living in a modern era either.

   As for the hair thing, as a Nigerian (of the Igbo ethnic group), I have to first say that I do not know the face of every Nigerian experience when it comes to hair, so it is difficult, if not impossible, for me to generalize without a qualitative or quantitative study. Nigeria is extremely diverse with over 200 ethnic groups, languages, dialiects, etc. It is also a country in transition in terms of development with a mix of old world and new. Given this diversity and dynamics, hair preferences is on a slippery-slope. In other words, hair preferences seem to be influenced by a number of factors: media (especially Nollywood), where one resides (rural vs. city), purchasing power, social strata, expectations of family and friends, access to hair services and products, personal convictions, etc.

   When last I was in Nigeria, I went to a salon in Dolphin Estates in Lagos. While having my hair braided by two young males, I observed that many of the clientele had weaves, HOWEVER, when the weaves were taken out, underneath were an abundance of long beautiful natural hair. I was informed by the stylists that a lot of the clientele had natural hair underneath their weaves and used weaves for convenience and as a means of hair growth. Of course, there were plenty of women getting relaxers and braids too. When I went to one rural area, I noted that traditional hairstyles such as braids, cornrows, and threading predominated, though threading seems to be on the decline.

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3. 

   Yoruba Tani 30 December 2009 at 1:06 am Permalink

   I read your article and was intrigue to leave a comment as well. I recently came back from Nigeria (Victoria Island) and I see an abundance of natural and women who wear weaves. In this day in age African culture has been mended with western cultures alike. People tend to forget Naija was British Colonized so a lot of ways we have adapted from European cultures. I am natural and never had a negative stereotype plague me when I went back home. Naturals are widely accepted in Nigeria. Is it the norm now, that is debatable. I feel that trends are adaptable over time and yes Nigerian cultures also follows that seg-way rule as do many other cultures. Its seems like people think that Nigeria or even Africa itself stopped progressing. The country is heavily populated with technology and trendy aspect as due most of the world. We still do hold our tradition very valuable to heart as will. My family is believe in our Yoruba culture and needless to say it will be a part of me where ever my hair blows me.

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4. 

   Jennifer 6 January 2010 at 8:56 am Permalink

   I am not nigerian but heres my perspective,

   one of my closest friends is a freelance model(NYC), she is almost very deeply into this industry and i have met many people through her (models, photographers, etc) NYC is a big giant pot of networking so being in the fashion industry period, you’re gonna be dealing with every aspect and meeting people from every strand(I am an aspiring stylist).

   Theres a running joke about the nigerian models of the NYC fashion scene. ONE is that they never date within their race, you always see them strolling down the streets of soho with a white man on their arms, not only that but they only hang out with white female models, and/or the nigerian models like themselves.(their very snotty)

   Second you will never see one with their natural hair out..they always have in top quality weave freshly sewed down their backs

   Once again this is just jokes that i always here floating around from people.not really my personal experience with these models(however i have seen these exact situations that are being joked about come to life in front of me) but i do find the frequency and consistency peculiar.

   Also i dont think this explains EVERY nigerian model, just the ones that you see often

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5. 

   Ursula Kratt 15 January 2010 at 3:12 pm Permalink

   Nice!, discovered your webpage on digg.Glad I finally tried it out. Unsure if its my Firefox browser,but sometimes when I visit your site, the fonts are really small? However, love your site and will return.Bye

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6. 

   yaya24 9 February 2010 at 9:23 am Permalink

   I am Nigerian American.

   I grew up in a household (in America) that frowned upon natural hair. Both of my parents grew up in Nigeria and I know from viewing my mother’s photos that she did have natural hair growing up..

   I guess times have def changed.. My mom was outraged when I (at 24 years old) came home to visit rocking my once Arm pit length relaxed hair now big chopped to 1 inch and natural.

   March of 2009 I went home to Nigeria to visit (this was my first adult visit. My last time there I was 16 years old). I was surprised to see almost NO natural women around me. I visited Abuja, Port Harcourt and Obosi and the only natural people I saw where males, young school girls and some elderly women.

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7. 

   Ndidi 28 February 2010 at 2:43 pm Permalink

   Hey! I’m so happy i stumbled upon your website, i think it is so helpful. I am a Nigerian woman who recently moved to London from Nigeria(lagos). About 2years ago i decided to cut off all my hair, i had been thinking about it for ages but never had the guts. I finally cut it when my hair stopped relaxing and always had a curly half inch at the bottom.
   The reactions i got from people varied quite a bit but the main one was disbelief. Noone could understand why i would choose my curly “unmanageable” natural hair instead of straight easily styled relaxed hair. There i was in nigeria and i was suddenly acutely aware of how brainwashed we were about our hair. Even in the villages the idea that relaxed hair was good hair was present and for the first time in my life i had to sit and think about why i had been relaxing my hair at all.
   I am a doctor and i actually got called in by one of my bosses in nigeria to discuss my decision to be natural, how it didn’t quite look right.
   I must admit that at first i gave into the pressure and texturized my hair, i somehow thought that it wasn’t quite relaxing but now i know better.
   Nigerian women are extremely fashionable and stylish and unfortunately, having relaxed hair has become deeply entrenched in our collective psyche. it is completely normal to have relaxed hair and strange to be a young adult professional woman and want to keep your hair in it’s natural state. It seems to be acceptable for people in more creative professions but for people in the corporate world, fitting in frequently involves having a weave or braids, definitely not a fro.
   I have found my natural hair journey to be an extremely challenging one. i have been tempted several times to go back to relaxing but thankfully have not done so. I enjoying discovering what my real hair is all about, it’s likes and dislikes and i finally feel like i am me for the first time in so long.
   I think that a woman can be beautiful with natural or relaxed hair but the most important thing is that she must be able to decide which style she wants to wear without feeling like she is choosing one style to fit in with the people around her. Black her is not bad hair, in spite of the fact that we have been made to think so.

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8. 

   Victoria 26 May 2010 at 2:37 am Permalink

   I am Nigerian, and grew up in the Uk,I staarted realxing my hair about 11 years old, I stopped, then started again a about 15 years of age. I’m now 19, and have been having conversations with my brother- he’s been encouraging me and my sister to go natural- as this is our god- given har and that we should embrace it.

   I never had a problem with natural hair, but when I did go natural at 15, I remembered the reasons why I kept on realxing it in the first place ( the pain of handling it! the time it takes to take care of it). I always said I’d love nautural hair if there was some magical way of taming it, and keeping it soft and long. As I often think of ways I’d experiment with it, if I was natural. I think afro hair is so versatile- but am put off by the pain of handling, and maintenance.

   Does anyone know or have any suggestions of any products you’d STRONGLY recommend for natural hair which makes it manageble??

   also I was inspired by the 5 yr old girl with wasit length hair!!!!

   I wonder- is there a way for me to effectively grow my hair, without having to have my hair out- but in braids/weave??

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9. 

   aJwitaFrO 27 August 2010 at 10:27 pm Permalink

   I believe the reason why natural hair is frowned upon in Nigeria is because Africa is going through a “modernization” phase that doesn’t just include stable access to electricity and internet but also social and cultural “modernization” as well. Actually, you could call this more of “Americanization”.

   Anything from the western world is upholded is as better than anything African and since most of the Media that exposes North American culture in Nigeria displays women with relaxed hair and weaves, natural hair is frowned upon. Relaxers and weaves have become a regular part of modern African culture the same way it’s a part of black cultures in other parts of the world.

   I live in Canada and I know a lot of Nigerian girls who were born and raised in Nigeria and very few of them are natural, most of them are addicted to the creamy crack and weaves like everyone else. (Actually, where I live, most of the black people are either from Africa or their parents are from Africa, there is an extremely small population of “African Canadian” people where I live). I myself am Nigerian but I was born and raised in Canada (my parents are from Nigeria). I think Black Americans have a very skewed image of modern African culture.. a lot of these people are just trying to emulate western culture.

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10. 

    aJwitaFrO 28 August 2010 at 5:57 pm Permalink

    I thought I would add this in because it directly pertains to this article and it also kind of gives an “inside”/ everyday look at the attitude towards natural hair in Nigeria:

    http://www.curlynikki.com/2010/07/when-are-you-going-to-relax-your-hair.html

    the article is from Curly Nikki, stumbled across it today, how ironic :-)

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11. 

    Jolie-LDN 28 August 2010 at 6:23 pm Permalink

    Strangely enough when I first discovered this site I realised that there were a lot of Nigerians who were natural than Ghanaians :( …

    On another note im finding it difficult to convince my aunt to go natural; when I first told her I was going natural she said to me well your hair is curly so it will look good on you surprisingly I got the same response from everyone I told :/ …so far I only got a friend of mine and her sister and my mums friend to go natural..

    I think some people maybe reluctant because they think their hair is unmanageable due to the afro texture only if knew…

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12. 

    KoralK 8 September 2010 at 8:04 am Permalink

    I am a Nigerian, born bred and brought up in Nigeria, currently living in Nigeria (Port Harcourt) and every day i see other Nigerians with natural hair just like mine. And underneath most of the braids and weaves/weave-ons u see going around, alot of the ladies are natural.
    By the way, who cares if u want to apply relaxer to ur hair until it stretched within an inch of its life. It all boils down to choice. One lady likes to wear make-up, another lady prefers the “natural” look. one lady attaches long artificial nails…another lady grows hers out. One lady chooses to use a padded bra…lol. and another lady decides to remain naturally flat. Everybody has a choice…and its up to each person to make choices based on the influences within and around them.(Did u ever stop to think that natural hair might be a luxury some people cannot even afford?…i remember getting my first batch of natural hair care products from – bless her soul – http://www.thekinkyapothecary.blogspot.com , and someone saw my bill…she asked if i was going to use the products for a year or a month?)
    So please, enough of these stereotypes. There are more important and life changing things to be sad about than the hair choices of Nigerian women.
    Try being sad about the number of children dying of hunger in some parts of the world, or the fact that Malaria is still a killer disease in some developing countries!!!

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    • 

      Julia 23 November 2011 at 5:35 am Permalink

      In my opinion, you’re allowed to feel sadness over a wide range of issues :)

      I feel sad (yes,I do) that I have to place this annoying weave over my head because I want to look ‘presentable’ and ‘refined’ to get this job. If our people embrace the versatility and beauty of natural hair, then it would be a grand delight.

      Btw, we all don’t have to use carol’s daughter, and the likes. The adage says ‘cut your coat according to your cloth (not size)’, so for those who can’t afford the shea moistures, CD, AOHSR etc, Shea-butter, coconut oil, black soap, olive oil and any slippery conditioner, would do…and they would not add up N1,500 (I can break it down for you), which isn’t even up to the amount spent in braiding the air (excluding extensions). They can also steam their hair using hot water and a towel, if they can’t afford a steamer, or the paltry sum the salons would charge to have your hair steamed.

      Just my tots.

      PS: Yay, for Thekinkyapothecary…she’s a hair-lifesaver.

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      • 

        Julia 23 November 2011 at 5:36 am Permalink

        Correction: *braiding the hair*

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13. 

    maria 13 September 2010 at 10:11 pm Permalink

    i always wanted to wear my hair natural even when i lived in Nigeria for the following reasons,
    tired of the burns those relaxers cause and secondly all the home grown stylists who kept complaining” your hair too strong ,e no dey relax on time” who cares to be made to feel like what you have naturally growing from your head is bad!black women irrespective of our nationality should embrace what God has given us.We didnt choose our hair our hair chose us;for a purpose(for us to celebrate our strength ,freedom,victory and beauty through the pains of slavery or colonization whatever your historical background is. Once i made the decesion i asked God for strength to go through with it.am HAPPIEST BEING NATURAL.If you are natural and friends and family are asking you questions how you did it,grab them by the hand and encourage them until they get there.

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14. 

    Ugoma 2 October 2010 at 9:02 pm Permalink

    I am Nigerian American, 19 born in Nigeria, came abroad when i was 10 now live in Philly. I think the reason that a lot of Nigerians are not natural is because the Western culture is a very big part of the way we live, we adore everything about America from the food to the language, if perming our hair makes us look a bit more American thats what we will do. i know it makes no sense but you have to understand that we are a developing country so not everyone has the access to learn about the benefits of natural hair, or even the opportunity to see other sisters with there natural hair. we are a product of our environment and its going to take time for us to be educated. our mothers are relaxed our grandmothers are relaxed our friends and our neighbors, the few that are natural are frowned upon and ridiculed, so we relax, and we relax. but we are growing and we are learning it just takes patients. natural hair in america was not as popular now as it was 10 years ago but look and the mark were making. just give me some time i plan on making Nigeria Natural on girl at a time.

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15. 

    Treacle 8 October 2010 at 1:52 am Permalink

    Everyone has said it already.

    There are many reports, articles and what nots, Nigeria is extremely developed in terms of how its people relate and can blend in with the rest *ahem* the western world, like you can find Chinese people in every country in the world, you can also find Nigerians.

    Nigerian of not, black women just want to look like what is idolised as an attractive or good looking or fashionable young black woman.

    This unfortunately is repeatedly publicised by the West and Europe as the beyonces, the kelly’s, there are no more Moesha’s, and Jill scott doesn’t really fall into the mainstream category.

    I would disagree about Nigerians not wearing their hair natural.

    Though the movement isn’t big, I think Africans are more comfortable with their natural hair, it is not a common thing for toddlers to have their hair relaced, most mothers will make their children wear braids or more likely plait the girl’s hair.

    I see women wearing their hair natural or if not natural, with some “Expressions” hair fibre in a kinky style to lengthen their cornrows. More women wear their hair closer to traditional than they do in Africa (for obvious reasons).

    What I mean is who’s to say that African women ever evolved to wear their hair natural in the first place, most are skilled in how to weave thread around their hair (you know the style your mum made you wear, that people made fun ‘cos they looked like spider legs with wire wound around). I wouldn’t completely call this natural, all sorts of additions to the hair, be it thread/wool or modern day plastic Kanekalon or Expressions fibre, African women love to adorn.

    Be it by weave or by cornrow. It’s all been done.

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16. 

    Treacle 8 October 2010 at 1:53 am Permalink

    *notify*

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17. 

    Obi 1 November 2010 at 11:44 am Permalink

    It is a choice we all make. I remember when I was about 6 or so … I wanted to have my hair permed or at least blown out but my mom refused. My reason? All the big “Aunties” were doing it. I waited till primary 6 and decided I wanted my natural hair chopped off because short hair looked so good then. I had to relax the hair when I was in the JS 2 cos the women who did my hair in the local market complained that it was too thick and not very long and would charge me extra ALL THE TIME. Relaxing became my comfort cos it was cheaper, I could even do the cornrows myself since the hair was permed thereby saving my hair money for other things I wanted. In college, I could do anything to the hair since it was permed: cut it so short and have those darling styles toni braxton used to have in her earlier days, etc. In 2009 I decided to go natural again. Why? The weather here in America was not helping me at all. My hair for years had been falling off. Uneven patches of hair loss. It was a big decision cos I could have gone back to my short perms but the money … I could not afford every week not less than $70 for just a wash and set not even a perm! So Natural it was. The reason most people dont do natural in Nigeria is the inconvenience of doing so. Perm is easy, and the air has more moisture in it than here in the States, hence my ability to stay permed in Nigeria without the profound hair loss I suffered in the States. Its no wonder why a lot of people are seen wearing braids in the winter. Its not a sad thing that Nigerian women do not wear their hair more natural. Its a choice thing. Do I think its the best thing? Nope, cos now that I’m natural, I can see what I lost the many years I went permed. However, it is a choice a woman has to make for herself. But I strongly believe that kids should be left natural till they are old enough … all that chemical and heat … who knows what damage it does to their brains.

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18. 

    NappyLola 16 December 2011 at 2:42 pm Permalink

    This is funny cos I live in Nigeria (Lagos) buh I spend most of my holidays outside Nigeria and I’m planning to leave for school in a month (outside Nig) *u knw why* anywhu! I went for a forum for ladies today organised by my church and all I had in my head was “I need to spot a lady with natural hair and rocking it on purpose”. We all know hw the story ended yh? No? Well I went home disappointed!! Most ladies were rocking “brazilian weaves” or braids with their egdes totally relaxed and gone!!!!!
    I’m always on the look-out for natural ladies lyk me buh *sigh* the ones I see are usually “not in Nigeria”. I’ll blame this on lack of information.
    I decided to go natural wen I was in london…randomly scanned youtube looking for wot to do to my hair cos of d ‘not so friendly’ wheather and BAM! I saw a couple of videos!
    Big chopped-Got home-funny stares-nice comments-im still loving it.
    BoTtom line is on this side of the world, trends such as “going natural” don’t sink in as fast as those trends sink in-in other parts of the world!
    I’m 50% sure if these ladies know they can rock the “bohemian look” with their natural hair? *tsk tsk*…..

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19. 

    Air Jordan 1 Shoes 14 January 2012 at 6:57 am Permalink

    Dead written articles, Really enjoyed looking through.

    Reply

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