What is Good hair?
This is a question that I will pose to every African Woman and man. I seem to have reached my nirvana with hair the day that I decide to go natural. It was a culmination of both an end to the suffering of burns from chemical relaxers, painful scalp from all the pulling and a sort of self realization that I loved myself as I am and did not need to have straight hair to look acceptable.(
The song I am not my hair comes to mind by India Arie)
I do not know if there are any studies that have been done on what percentage of Kenyan Women still have their natural hair and those who have either relaxed(permed) or have weaves/wigs on but a spot check on the streets of Nairobi can give you a clue as to what the numbers are. Actually, I think Nairobi has more salons than it has pubs and there is none that lacks customers.
The hair and cosmetic industry is a multi-million dollar one especially in Africa because almost 90% of African Women relax their hair or wear wigs.
I have never been a fan of weaves and I am sure many men will concur with me(though they wouldn't be caught dead saying it to their women). It is a debate that always ends up being nasty anytime I pick it up with my lady friends.
A similar debate became a nationwide discussion in the US as
Chris Rock set out to find out What is
Good hair? -A documentary that he has been researching on for 2 years.
The same elicited a huge confrontation on Tyra Banks' self titled
show part 1,
part 2,
part 3,
part 4 and
Part 5 a show that gave a feel of the real problem that African American women face with their hair, a problem that seems to be an underlying facade of a bigger problem of perception. and to some extent, inferiority.
In his documentary, CK notes that the idea was about by his daughter who kept telling him that she does not have good hair coz its nappy and curly and not straight and soft.
The documentary features one of my favourite poets, Maya Angelou and a host of other African American celebrities who confess to wearing weaves alot and not being comfortable with their natural hair.
Chris also reveals that most of the weaves are made from Indian Hair as India is the highest exporter of human hair.
The comic docu is to be released in select cities on October 9. but previews and info about it can be found
hereMy HairMy hair is my airFeel the flairas you stareits beauty a snare
Long hair is rarein my country Zairebut no one is awarewhen I glare my horse hair
God was not fairgiving Indians more than their fair shareleaving me to despair.this is no funfairmy short hair to forebearI looked elsewhere with my prayerThank Buddha for human hair---------------------------------------------------------------------------Njeri Wangarekenyanpoet@gmail.comSept. 2009All rights reserved©
What are your thoughts on this hair debate?
21:14 
18:21 
18:05 
17:00 
15:56 
15:45 
13:01 
11:35 
8:07 
5:32 
4:16 
0:03 