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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Jun 2008 : 23:28:05
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FAKE HAIR - is it due to a low self-esteem?
Fake hair has become the trend of our time.
In Gambia even 6 year olds have it to school.
What effect does it have on a child’s self-image and self pride?
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2008 : 08:33:29
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Uncle Janko, welcome back. long time we didn't see your postings. I think Fake Hair is simply an alternative for women to beautify themselves in different styles. It could also enabled people who lost their natural hair to not have to go bald. They could use it and many will not realize if it is fake.
I think I understand your point though on the influence it might have on younger children. They should be taught that it is simply another creative invention that should be used for the purpose intended.
Thanks |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jun 2008 : 15:28:55
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There are many types of fake hair, and some, like the artificial beads you see in Gambia, really enhance the wearer's beauty. I admire the hairdressers' skills with the beads!
What I don't like is the straightening of African hair, and the European style wigs. In most cases, this does not fit the African features, and to me it always has something of a self-denial.
But it is the same the other way round : E.G. I, with my straight hair, would look absolutely ridiculous if I tried to make African curls. Even the fake beads look much better on black women than on white. |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2008 : 01:17:18
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http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/book_excerpt.asp?bookid=45007&page=5
Mawdo Demba,
I now conclude that Janko is a traditionist.
To me, the hair is even better than the bleach.
I thought this poem of Jagne resonates with the topic under discussion.
Dalton |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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tamsier
United Kingdom
558 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2008 : 14:24:20
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Janko, if you are a traditionist, then I will be your partner in crime. However, I strongly believe it is merely a form of beautifying oneself- which is common in women through out the world. I personally don't think it has anything to do with self-loathing. Provided you know your history and proud of your roots, your hair style should not define you. Having said that, as with any general rule, there is always an exeption. I am dubious about some black women who put on full blond wicks - it makes me wonder what they really think of themselves. Having said that, the same thing can be said for white people who put on fake tans, etc.
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Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2008 : 22:55:15
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“It could also enable people who lost their natural hair to not have to go bald.”
Baldeh bolong or should I say baldeh baana, you know sometimes I get caught up with the toubabou jungya, the nine to five thing so no time to frequent as I would like. You have taken a very diplomatic stance, but ok, I get your therapeutic point of view.
“What I don't like is the straightening of African hair and the European style wigs.”
Serenata, the other day my girlfriend (friend) put on such a wig and I could not recognize her for she got ten years older. I share you view, there is an element of self -misappropriation.
“…a traditionist. … …better than the bleach”
Dalton1, really, ok, at least that’s better than a conservative, I get you, is better than the worst but not the best.
“…a traditionist, then I will be your partner in crime.”
Tamsier, glad to welcome you, there has to be some who remind the Bantaba that its root is not cyberspace.
There is the aspect of consumerism that worries me about the fake hair. The fake hair is coming from Asian local industries and the ideal of beauty from the west. We are not only importing food but also the ideal of beauty.
We do have a tradition of fake hair that is not only produced locally but the aesthetics is also based on local beauty ideals of the Mandingka, Foula, Serrahulle, Wolof, etc women. Remember those beautiful hair styles. I remember my grandmother use to make her fake hair from material gotten from the surrounding environment. |
Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
Edited by - Janko on 19 Jun 2008 22:56:49 |
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tamsier
United Kingdom
558 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2008 : 10:49:53
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| Janko just like you I rememberred my dear grandmother's beautiful hair style and how she used to make it from local materials as well. Attached to it was what they used to call 'libadoor' three sets of golden nuggets - in the front - a derivative of the ancient ghanian empire where they used to scatter gold dust and jewels on the hair and put on gold from top to bottom. People may think we are two grumpy old men. Two their credit, things have changed and may be we need to recognise that. |
Tamsier
Serere heritage. Serere religion. Serere to the end.
Roog a fa ha. |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2008 : 17:30:11
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| Janko and tamsier, from old photos I saw that African hairdressers have a long tradition of making phantastic coiffures. The women made INCREDIBLE things with their hair! Very eccentric, very imaginative, very stylish - wow! But of course this is easier with curly hair than with straight hair. |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2008 : 18:47:12
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| janko, wonderful topic. i mean, i hate that meesi or rasta fake one for that matter. thank god my wife never thought of it. it is distateful i believe to contiunally use syntetic hair on one's head. it's the epitomy of low self-esteem. and the men are guilty by encounraging their spouses to wear it. even bleaching some men encourage their spouses to apply it. shame. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2008 : 19:58:27
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Nothing beats natural hair. Naomi Campbell is a prime example of what prolonged use of weaves will do to your hair... Baldness! fake hair distorts the features of African women. These African women have brought into the European media perception of beauty going as far as having blonde hair. It's so funny to see how far some people will go to be fake about themselves instead of being true to themselves.Just imagine what creative innovations could be created without reliance on Asian human hair or synthetics. Well it seems that African women will spend and spend to disguise their hair until it all drops out under the strain of perming,weaving, extensions etc. Meanwhile there is a booming industry around African hair products ironically in the UK Asian owed. The Fake hair industry seems to be like the goose that laid the golden eggs.
Children need to feel comfortable and proud of who they are. Not to feel inferior or made to feel ugly because of false concepts of beauty. Therefore I totally disagree with children wearing fake hair. This is another form of mental slavery.
Peace
Sister Omega
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Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 20 Jun 2008 20:11:49 |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2008 : 00:08:27
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There is no greater beauty than the real you
“People may think we are two grumpy old men. Two their credit, things have changed and may be we need to recognise that.” You are very right and that’s why we have a discussion here and now.
Tamsier, if the economical, political, cultural aspects of Fake Hair are grumpy old men nostalgia then I I’ll rather be traditional and don’t want to be modern. I think the philosophy of Ifang Bondi is applicable in all areas of existence; cultural, political and economical because is a formula that reinforces self-pride.
“…from old photos I saw that African hairdressers have a long tradition of making phantastic coiffures…”
Serenata, would you please help with the links to these photos.
“...it's the epitomy of low self-esteem...”
Santanfara, it is very interesting what we men can get our women do, in this era of gender quality.
"Children need to feel comfortable and proud of who they are. Not to feel inferior or made to feel ugly because of false concepts of beauty."
Sister Omega, it is very interesting to observe how much influence African American beauty ideals have had on Africa. I Remember the Black & Proud period when having Afrohairstyle was a pride that strengthened self-confidence encouraged political awareness and inspired political fraternity amid people of colour all over the world. It seems those ideals are degenerating from Ifang bondi, self-presentation to self-pity. Now we have the Tyra Banks and the Naomi Campbells promoting womanhood but paradoxically using stereotypical gadgets like Fake Hair etc.
The Nappturality Forum - Love Your Natural Hair team
Why is the site limited to tightly coiled, highly textured Black hair?
The reason it is limited to this hairtype is because we have found that it is the hairtype most feared and vilified in our community. It's the only hairtype we can't stay natural with for long with if we "fear the 'fro" (thanks to Taritac & LBellatrix for that term). Napptural hair is the type labelled "bad", nappy hair that needs to be "fixed."
This perception needs to change. We need to stop being afraid of our hair. We need to learn about our natural hair. We need to see natural hair worn on women who have embraced it. And the only way we can do that is to showcase our natural hair on its own merit without seeing it compared with other hairtypes.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
Edited by - Janko on 21 Jun 2008 00:11:50 |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2008 : 16:46:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Sister Omega
Naomi Campbell is a prime example of what .
Sister Omega
of how to be pleasant to people when they lose your luggage 
Sorry about that Sister,just couldn't resist taking your quote out of context 
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 12:00:33
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It is disturbing that Africans have become consumers of a stereotypical ideal of beauty.
Thanks, Serenata,
Beautiful hairstyles that could be developed to fit today’s fashion which would not only have preserved and developed the knowledge but created an economy as well. A clear indication of how Africans have become consumers and not producers.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 12:09:08
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| janko, you are right abotu the 6 years old having fake hair, what i am surprised about is how many go to school like that. |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jun 2008 : 14:20:09
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jambo,
it is sad to say but going to school with fake-hair has become a yardstick by which pupils social status is measured…
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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