I have asked this question in other threads but never got a definitive answer. I assumed because I never asked a definitive question. Here goes family......

Why do African women cover their heads? And how long have they been practing this? Is the way they wrap their heads significant?


I'd appreciate any information that can be given on this subject.



Peace

I have asked this question in other threads but never got a definitive answer. I assumed because I never asked a definitive question. Here goes family......

Why do African women cover their heads? And how long have they been practing this? Is the way they wrap their heads significant?


I'd appreciate any information that can be given on this subject.



Peace




Bootzey, hopes this helps, my sister friend:

“The variety of hairstyles and head-wear in Africa matches the diversity of the people who live on the continent. Different cultures have used hairstyles and headwear to show tribal association, gender, religion, job, and social status.

In addition, the various cultures have created wigs, hats, hair ornaments, razors, and combs to aid in adorning the head.

The importance of head-wear to African culture is witnessed by the many statues and masks of ancient Africa that show detailed hair ornamentation.”

http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/Early-Cultures-African/Headwear-of-African-Cultures.html


Please let me know if it does:)

Bump

From an East African perspective, my grandmother and her peers do so out of modesty (another reason why you would be hard pressed to see an elderly woman wearing trousers). Most of them have very short hair, or none at all, so I suppose its a way of avoiding a scruffy, unkempt look.There is no rhyme or reason to the way they do it because it is simply a matter of typing on a headscarf.

I suspect that it would be frowned upon on to have an uncovered head, so peer pressure also comes into play.

To wit:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/AX931898.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B1D87E425-3AA4-4E4C-95F3-141D4679BA1B%7D

All heads are covered.

Younger women, such as my mother, do it for the same reason that some Western African women do - to accessorize.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_DlIwp68d-pU/RyXoPLiLmpI/AAAAAAAAAKo/mYS4kUd_REk/s400/sen-2010s.jpg

I hope this helps.

Alexandra

From an East African perspective, my grandmother and her peers do so out of modesty (another reason why you would be hard pressed to see an elderly woman wearing trousers). Most of them have very short hair, or none at all, so I suppose its a way of avoiding a scruffy, unkempt look.There is no rhyme or reason to the way they do it because it is simply a matter of typing on a headscarf.

I suspect that it would be frowned upon on to have an uncovered head, so peer pressure also comes into play.

To wit:

http://pro.corbis.com/images/AX931898.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B1D87E425-3AA4-4E4C-95F3-141D4679BA1B%7D

All heads are covered.

Younger women, such as my mother, do it for the same reason that some Western African women do - to accessorize.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_DlIwp68d-pU/RyXoPLiLmpI/AAAAAAAAAKo/mYS4kUd_REk/s400/sen-2010s.jpg

I hope this helps.

Alexandra




Alexandra,
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

See now? That's what I'm talking about. Y'all have answered my question to my satisfaction.

PEACE!!!

See now? That's what I'm talking about. Y'all have answered my question to my satisfaction.

PEACE!!!




Bootzey,

And you are very welcome Bootzey, my sister friend; isn't Alexandra thorough? I'll go ahead an answer, yes she is, for real.

Bootzey,

And you are very welcome Bootzey, my sister friend; isn't Alexandra thorough? I'll go ahead an answer, yes she is, for real.



You are most welcome Bootzey.

I forgot to address one of your questions. I am not sure how long women have been wrapping their heads, but judging from these photographs taken in 1903 of the Kikuyu, it seems to be a relatively new practise.


Young Kikuyu woman
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2928128833_ea1f7a7a59.jpg?v=0

Kikuyu women and girls
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2928127225_a440b03d17.jpg?v=0

Chief and one of his many wives
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2928990488_138c8d6fec.jpg?v=0

Bonus images

Kikuyu warrior
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2928980982_9a1a042b87.jpg?v=0

Hairstyles of Kikuyu warriors
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2928119699_345fe515cf.jpg?v=0


Brother Clyde, you are too kind, despite me leaving you hanging. Sorry about that.

Alexandra

You are most welcome Bootzey.

I forgot to address one of your questions. I am not sure how long women have been wrapping their heads, but judging from these photographs taken in 1903 of the Kikuyu, it seems to be a relatively new practise.


Young Kikuyu woman
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2928128833_ea1f7a7a59.jpg?v=0

Kikuyu women and girls
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2928127225_a440b03d17.jpg?v=0

Chief and one of his many wives
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3214/2928990488_138c8d6fec.jpg?v=0

Bonus images

Kikuyu warrior
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2928980982_9a1a042b87.jpg?v=0

Hairstyles of Kikuyu warriors
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2928119699_345fe515cf.jpg?v=0


Brother Clyde, you are too kind, despite me leaving you hanging. Sorry about that.

Alexandra




Alexandra,

Thank you so very much, cheers! However, kind is connected to truth and is actually easy, lol:)....Peace In my sister friend and so are you, Alexandra!

'Enjoyed this informative thread!



AND I just loved that green dress and headwrap that one woman was wearing!

See now? That's what I'm talking about. Y'all have answered my question to my satisfaction.

PEACE!!!




Yeah for the Destee.com Collective :toast: