African hair threading (also known as hair threading/ threading) is a traditional

hairstyling A hairstyle, hairdo, haircut, or coiffure refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human head but sometimes on the face or body. The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal grooming, fashion, and cosmetics, although ...

technique deeply rooted in

African culture The Culture of Africa is varied and manifold, consisting of a mixture of countries with various peoples depicting their unique characteristic and trait from the continent of Africa. It is a product of the diverse populations that inhabit the ...

. It is cherished for its versatility, beauty, and cultural significance. This age-old practice involves intricately wrapping or braiding the natural hair with threads, often made of

wool Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have some properties similar to animal w ...

cotton Cotton (), first recorded in ancient India, is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure ...

, or

Nylon Nylon is a family of synthetic polymers characterised by amide linkages, typically connecting aliphatic or Polyamide#Classification, semi-aromatic groups. Nylons are generally brownish in color and can possess a soft texture, with some varieti ...

threads creating striking and elaborate patterns. Hair threading is a meticulous art form, passed down through generations, showcasing the richness of African hairstyling artistry within various African communities.

Etymology and names

African hair threading has multiple names across Africa in the West African country of Nigeria for example different ethnic groups know African hair threading by their native names. The native name in the

Igbo language Igbo ( , ; Standard Igbo: ''Ásụ̀sụ́ Ìgbò'' ) is the principal native language cluster of the Igbo people, an ethnicity in the Southeastern part of Nigeria. Igbo languages are spoken by a total of 31 million people. The number of Igbo ...

is isi òwu or òwu isī. In

Yoruba language Yoruba (, ; Yor. ) is a Niger–Congo languages, Niger-Congo language that is spoken in West Africa, primarily in South West (Nigeria), Southwestern and Middle Belt, Central Nigeria, Benin, and parts of Togo. It is spoken by the Yoruba people. ...

, it is known as Irun Kiko or Irun Owu. In

Ghana Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...

in the

Ga language Ga is a Kwa language spoken in Ghana, in and around the capital Accra, by the Ga people. There are also some speakers in Togo, Benin and western Nigeria. It has a phonemic distinction between three vowel lengths. Classification Ga is a Kw ...

it is known as Akweley Waabii, in East Africa it is known as Nywele in the

Swahili language Swahili, also known as as it is referred to endonym and exonym, in the Swahili language, is a Bantu languages, Bantu language originally spoken by the Swahili people, who are found primarily in Tanzania, Kenya, and Mozambique (along the East Af ...

Origins

Hair threading remains a prevalent and cherished traditional hairstyle within many

sub-Saharan African Sub-Saharan Africa is the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lie south of the Sahara. These include Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa. Geopolitically, in addition to the list of sovereign states and ...

societies, particularly prevalent in the cultures of

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

and

Central Africa Central Africa (French language, French: ''Afrique centrale''; Spanish language, Spanish: ''África central''; Portuguese language, Portuguese: ''África Central'') is a subregion of the African continent comprising various countries accordin ...

. This age-old practice of African hair threading has deep roots in the cultural heritage of diverse African communities, tracing its origins back centuries. Its enduring presence can be dated to as early as the 15th century, serving as a time-honored method that promotes length retention and nurtures the health of natural hair.

Process

The process begins by sectioning the hair, then wrapping each section with threads and tightly securing the hair in place. Not only does this technique serve as a protective style, safeguarding hair from breakage and promoting healthy growth, but it also allows for creativity and expression, with diverse patterns and designs reflecting cultural symbolism, personal identity, or celebratory occasions. African hair threading fosters a strong sense of community and tradition, with women often bonding over shared experiences during the intricate threading process, transmitting cultural heritage from one generation to the next. Moreover, beyond its aesthetic appeal, hair threading serves as a cultural marker, embodying heritage, pride, and a celebration of African identity.

Variations and Styles

There are many variations and styles in African hair threading, depending on the types and patterns as well as the shape, size, and direction of the sections of hair. Some of the common styles are: Corkscrew: This style involves wrapping the thread around the hair in a spiral motion, creating long, springy sections that resemble corkscrews. Flat twists Different colors of threads can be used in creating contrast or to highlight patterns in hair threading.

References

{{Human hair *

Etymology and names

Origins

Process

Variations and Styles

See also

References