We have known wigs, smoothing and other straightening, but the hairstyle in vogue is to remain natural. Follower of the Nhappy trend, women with Afro hair identify with this ideology and show it to the rest of the world.
It is around 2009 – 2010, especially in the United States that it all started; and mainly affects the African-American population before Africa. Despite what many of us believe, being Nhappy just means having natural hair and leading a war to chemicals in the hair products and brands. To be Nhappy is to accept yourself, to accept your « black » roots, what implies as well the culture that goes with it. This acceptance goes through our hair.
I consider the Nhappy movement as an identity search of African-Americans for their African origins. They are, according to me, people who, like many Africans, have lost part of their identity during history. With slavery, many blacks deported, especially in America, felt the loss of their origins, values and histories. Over the years, with the abolition of slavery, they have become more American than anything else. Becoming Nhappy is gradually returning to the sources. Identity research does not only involve the hairstyle, we see that many afro-descendants try to know their history, their culture.
Later, this movement crossed the borders of America and answered all over the world. Today, at the international level, the quest for identity is taking a back seat. The need of esteem and belonging has taken over. This is to say that the black international community is creating a common bond not only through its common history, but also with the style that goes with it. It is important for some of us to wear an Afro to fully feel as a member of the community. Obviously, this is not the case for everyone. However, it has become a fashionable phenomenon mainly among women. Everyone wants to be Nhappy. Everyone wants to join the movement. It is clear that this should not be taken literally, but we noted a large number of members of the international black community in this movement. Even as a fashion effect, the movement is gaining momentum.
Personally, I believe it is a good thing that people identify themselves to a community through their hair and cultural beliefs. It is a way to get to know our roots gradually. For instance, a few years ago, I would say that I was natural just because perming my hair never worked. Now, I know I am natural because it is better for my hair. Moreover, as a Fulani, I love experiencing my ethnicities’ hairstyles like bantu’s, fulani braids, etc. Learning about my hair made me search about my ethnicity, the way our elders used to take care of their hair, the research of hidden secrets to help hair growth, our habits and beliefs, etc.
Here is how I am building up my identity through my hair.
