n “Africans Consuming Hair, Africans Consumed by Hair” (2014), Francis Nyamnjoh and Divine Fuh argue that hair is a powerful symbol of identity for many – especially women of African descent whose complex relationships with hair challenge stereotypes and dichotomies inherited from the colonial past.
In what sense do people perform identity when they style their hair? Describe and analyse an example from the text, noting how both racial and gender identities are performed. (3) and 3 examples from the article
People perform identity when they style their hair by using it as a tool to express their cultural heritage, personal style, and societal role. In the text, Nyamnjoh and Fuh discuss how African women utilize their hair to challenge Western beauty standards and reclaim their own sense of identity.
One example from the article is the practice of African women wearing braided hairstyles. These intricate styles require time, skill, and often pain to achieve, but they serve as a way for women to assert their African heritage and resist the pressure to conform to Eurocentric standards of beauty. This challenges the stereotype that African hair is unkempt or unprofessional, and instead celebrates the beauty and versatility of natural Black hair.
Another example from the text is the tradition of African women wearing headscarves as a symbol of respectability and cultural pride. The headscarf can be worn in a variety of styles and colors, each carrying their own cultural significance. By choosing to wear a headscarf, women are performing their identity as African women who are proud of their heritage and traditions, while also challenging the stereotype that headscarves are solely a symbol of oppression.
A third example from the article is the practice of using hair extensions or wigs to change one's hairstyle and appearance. While some may see this as a way of conforming to Western beauty standards, Nyamnjoh and Fuh argue that for many African women, wearing extensions or wigs is a way of expressing their creativity and individuality. By experimenting with different hairstyles, women are able to perform their gender identity in a way that is empowering and liberating, rather than restrictive.