Posts tagged men

Sierra Leone, West Africa where the dominant ethnic groups are Mende and Temne, however there also exist Kono and Fula ethnic groups.  During my recent trip I was reminded of the significance of our hair through the intricate, diverse styles that flower the heads of mostly every Sierra Leoneon, from young to old. 

Mohawk is African style!

The mohawk is what we know it as if we were born in the U.S.  This signature style of the Pawnee people is how we’ve come to classify the style that similarly has its roots in Africa. In my video African Hair and It’s Significance I highlight the significance of centering tufts of hair down the middle of our heads; significance of which focus on calling power to oneself and establishing an spiritual 

connection with whatever the culture deems; usually to God and deities.  It’s only right then that Mr. T would introduce this style for his character as B.A. Baracus in the 1980’s cult television show the ‘A-Team’ in which he portrayed a very strong image. His hair, among other things, were symbolic of his knowledge of Africa.

In Sierra Leone different versions of this style exist and I couldn’t help thinking about the relationship to Fula culture which, visually,

 is most like the mohawks that we are use to seeing. Mostly worn by young men, the sides are usually bare but in some instances are faded, and sometimes with cut lines to accentuate the curve or with designs. Generally speaking, the styling is not so different from the what we see from Africans who wear this style all over the world and it’s not surprising that  we would once again pick it back up as if we knew it was ours in the first place. We recognize ourselves through our hair.

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