In ancient Africa, one’s hair has been a symbol of identity. It was used in displaying marital, social, political, and religious status. However, as colonization and the enslavement of Black people began to take its course, African hair was ridiculed and identified as difficult, barbaric, and untamed. When Blacks were enslaved and taken to Western countries, one of the first dehumanizing acts they experienced was the shaving of their hair, done to disassociate them from their culture and identity.
Ironically, this act later contributed to their survival. Enslaved Blacks were able to implement their skills in hairdressing and maintenance into escape plans and survival strategies. Some modern hairstyles, notably cornrows and cane rows, were