After a couple of weeks I was no longer offended. I got used to it I guess. I left with a sense of pride that the roots of my culture and the fact that I wore my hair proudly in Senegalese twists were accepted and considered one of the most beautiful things they have ever seen.
It doesn’t stop there either. Earlier this year I took a trip to Europe, visiting the countries of France and Italy. While English was spoken much more frequently there, I still noticed that there wasn’t too many people of color. At least in the form of travelers that is.
During my travels I witnessed some of the same things as I did in the cities of China.
I had box braids installed so I could focus on taking in the beauty of Paris and Rome and once again was greeted with stares. Constant stares. My first thought here was, “do I look like a tourist? Well I can’t really blend in. I hope this doesn’t end up like the movie Taken!”
But then I remembered the box braids flowing down my back. Could it be that they too love the art of African hair braiding?
As a matter of fact it was! My tour guide, a native of Italy, asked politely if she could touch my hair and told me how beautiful it was.
I appreciated the fact that she asked as opposed to when I was visiting the Vatican and admiring the art in the Sistine Chapel and had an older lady take a handful of my hair to feel the texture between her fingers.
In return I quickly turned around with a look of “you better back up off me!” because we weren’t allowed to speak. Or when I was at a Dinner Opera one evening enjoying the show and caught a couple snapping multiple photos of me.
I can think of many other occasions. Such as shopping for souvenirs and receiving direct stares to my head with looks of awe on their faces. Maybe they were trying to figure out how it was done?
At any rate, what I’ve learned is that something I think to be so common and normal like having my hair braided by African queens, other cultures really admire it.
Maybe it’s the fact that they may never get to have their hair braided or twisted into these alluring styles? Or maybe it just further stresses the beauty of the texture of African American hair that is sometimes over looked?
Whatever the case is, the reactions I have received while traveling has definitely reinforced the love I have for my hair. It is beautiful. African hair braiding is beautiful. This experience is something everyone can learn from. We should value our hair styles as much as other cultures do!
Have you traveled abroad with your hair braided? What are some of the reactions you received?
Originally posted 2015-09-12 15:00:26.
Interesting article, thank you for posting. I can see the intrigue with African texture hair in China but both Italy and France have a very, very strong African presence.
I dont see anything wrong with it! Black women themselves are equally obsessed with textures that dont belong to tbem why should we be mad? I hate this race mediocrity
Braiding is a Art and beautiful thats why all the attention so common to us we forget that,let it not be forgotten.
Because, looking at braids, twist and locs, sometimes you can’t figure out how it’s done. These styles can be so beautiful, intricate and amazing. I’m black yet still amazed at all the things our people do to our hair. I think it’s human nature to be curious about things that are a mystery to us.
Agreed!
What do you mean by race mediocrity in relation to hair?
I hope you will get an answer because I don’t understand too
Im am as black as the both of you and as a matter of fact i was born and raised in africa. I understand more than anyone about inferiority amongst races, heck no1 looks twice at africa we are the dark continent. To me thats fine by me because we have inner peace with ourselves for not doing anything wrong, our fore father fought for freedom and they are the ones who experienced torture and inferiorism and slavery. However to date, instead of us focusing on the bright side of our rich history which you see these other races copying in the form of hair styles and what not you today still want to cry over the past. Because you still want to cry you will never see the good on anything in the beauty of someone else copying our hair do’s. And how dare you all be so hypocritical talking about they are wearing our styles and all you wear wigs and weaves replicating other races hair, and even relaxing your hair claiming textures that are not yours. So why cry foul when you do the same things yourselves?
You need to calm down- you are getting hyped up over a simple question. You used the word MEDIOCRITY the wrong way. I didn’t understand what you were trying to say too. Also- not ever African AMERICAN woman wears weaves, wigs, etc. Actually, I think you missed the whole point of the article. Who is crying foul??? Nothing you said makes sense in relation to this article.
So yes to me thats mediocrity!
Well said Mombolwa Mubita. What part of Africa are you from? ..
Hey Yolanda Hill thank you, Im from a small country in the sourthern part of Africa called Zambia. ❤
“we have inner peace with ourselves for not doing anything wrong, our fore father fought for freedom and they are the ones who experienced torture and inferiorism and slavery.” Whoaaa!! It sounds like you just kicked us in the gut and said our pain ain’t shyt. All the while claiming that your people are innocent! Are you belittling the blacks of Americas pain that we endured and still endure? Having your culture stolen and reaaranged and reassigned and having to put the pieces back together AGAIN!?
So you know this history of the Nazi like propaganda that was put down on black people of the Americas right? Killing the elders and brainwashing the descendents to hate the very hair and skin their in? Right? You do know that? So the only reason their is “crying” as you put it, is that the races that claim they are in awe, are the very ones who was shaming us from the beginning! And Yolanda you wack for Co signing that comment.
The thing is neither Africa nor African Americans nor anyone in the African diaspora can afford to tear each other down because we are all being treated as inferior, enslaved ancestors or no. I have seen Africans with weaves and braids which includes hair not their own. I’ve seen both groups lightening their skin with chemicals and carving up their noses. I’ve had African in laws and have been around Africans for over 30 years so I have some experience with their culture. It doesn’t anger me when they imply we are lost or don’t have culture or trying to emulate nonblack people. I see it in it’s entirety of people being influenced by forces they aren’t aware of. When you’re aware you can see the whole picture and you know why people say the things they say and do what they do and even why you think and feel the way you feel.
look closer at braided hairstyles n then u wud understand y so many people love it.
Not really sure but I think sometimes we should relax about it and not get so upset
I completely agree. Different cultures borrow from each other all the time and its a compliment to be replicated because it means you’ve created something of value. As long as its not appropriated I’m good…
That’s a good baby! She’s not screaming & crying because your holding her. Your a pretty young lady!! Nice pic good story.
Its not something to be upset about or to irritate about it is some thing to be proud of… all those beautiful arts you can do with black hair! as long as they dont touch it who cares why other people are so “obsessed” about …….
What do you mean why, why not…
I live in London or the United Nations , and my parent’s are from Jamaica. I just wanted to clear a couple of things up. Due to colonism with Europe hijacking Africa and the Caribbean , there are black people living all over Europe and due to its central location,cheap fares and longer holiday allowance, we have been travelling for decades! It is something that we don’t really talk about because for us its nothing special. Everybody does it, black and white alike!
In terms of our hair, when I’ve had box braids, people have stared ,a lot of the time because of its length. Depending on local knowledge, most people, if they have seen black people do not associate black people with long hair! So then you combine with a style and it’s extra fascinating! The fact that people have something nice to say about us for a change,isn’t copying meant to be the highest form of
Very nice! I remember having cornrows and being teased for it here in America because I look like a prisoner, yet I see celebrities getting it and being praised for it. I really felt insecure. Then, I went to the Caribbean and seen a *long* line in Bahamas for “licensed” braiders to braid cornrows in their hairs.
Well I’m glad that other cultures and ethnic groups think that our braids and styles are beautiful. Cause they are. I’m glad that we get noticed for beautiful things no matter what it is, it’s better than people looking at black people and sneering at us.