While perusing the Internet, I stumbled across "Going natural is a hairy issue" an article by Milisuthando Bongela about natural hair (http://mg.co.za/article/2011-09-30-going-natural-is-a-hairy-issue/). I don't want to assume, but given the author's name, some of the comments in the article, and the fact that "za" is a South African Internet code, I believe that Ms. Bongela is South African.
Ms. Bongela details her hair journey: she wore a bald head for years, then tried weaves, and now, seemingly begrudingly, wears her natural hair. In South Africa, some refer to natural hair as "kaffirhare". In case you don't know what "kaffir" means, I understand that it means "nigger" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaffir_(racial_term) and that there are laws in South Africa that prohibit its use. I once read Mark Mathabane's book Kaffir Boy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaffir_Boy) and learned a lot more about the term and the historical context that explains it.
Perhaps it is the use of the term "kaffir" that strikes such a discordant note with me, particularly because Ms. Bongela states that it is WITHIN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES that "chemical-free kinky hair" is referred to as kaffirhare. Plus, Ms. Bongela claims that it is not common for women to wear their natural hair, especially in urban cities like Jo'Burg because hair is used to convey status (translation: kinky hair = lower status).
Now, I don't know what your stance is on the use of the word nigger. I personally tend not to use it, though I have family members who use it like a badge of honor. However, I find it sad that people are referring to their own hair in such a derogatory way. It pains me. I find it ironic that a country on the continent that is the cradle of civilization would have such negative attitude toward Black hair in its natural state.
I am now beginning to wonder if this negative context has anything to do with the fact that many of my African sisters that I've seen, at least in D.C., NY and Boston, seem to wear wigs, extensions, or relaxed hair almost exclusively. When I've inquired about this, my African sisters have responded that they are resistant to wearing their natural hair; it is simply not acceptable or attractive in their communities. I know that some African women wear their natural hair; however, they seem to be a minority. Perhaps I am overgeneralizing? Please, help me understand. What, if anything, do you think is going on? Is this more true for younger or older women?
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Being African when I was growing up the more white u were the more beautiful u were perceived be it a light complexion, speaking English without a local heavy accent or straight hair. Thus the weaves and hair extensions are not only a source of beauty but a symbol of success and wealth as not everyone can afford good quality hair extensions. It takes a long time for people to not think like this, unfortunately when they realise this many have severely damaged hairlines after years of sew-ins etc.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous, thanks so much for your insightful comments. I can so relate to this. It's funny, I have a naive expectation that African people are MORE confident in their Africanness than African-American people. Your comments show that that may not be accurate.
ReplyDeleteI have a favor to ask: will you please pass along the blog to other African women and men you know? I really want to expand the network of people who are discussing this topic. Plus, I want to get as much input and perspectives as possible. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and to comment. I appreciate it! :) Tina
Most African Countries are Natural & Proud of their Blackness and don't have to emphasize that they're a "Black" man or woman as people do here in america. We don't want to over generalize. Times however are changing and there is great American and European influence in some African Countries that is causing the problem you mention in your article. Once upon a time you wouldn't see so much weave or relaxer styles in these countries that are stuck on keeping a certain status or keeping up with the trends here. But Africa is where you would always see Natural Hair and styles for many, many decades when America was set on Relaxers and Weaves only (60% of Black women were into the trend of Relaxers and Weaves.
DeleteEven though in recent years more, and more women are wearing their hair Natural; Weaves and Wigs have Skyrocketed in sales!-Go Figure.
Well for me kaffirhare is not so much the name it means but the state my hair is in. I chose to have my hair go natural cos i realised I spent too much money on relaxing it and leave it like that. So what I do is take all these weaving of hair as a hair style that has to stay for a set amount of time. Go back to my natural state give my hair a break.
ReplyDeleteWhat simply irritaets the goodness out of me is the "hair salons" on the streets thinking I need my hair done when it is natural!!! THER IS MOST DEFINATELY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT NOT WEAVED!!!