All over the continent of Africa, hair forms a vital part of body adornment. The human head has historically functioned as a canvas for creativity expressing the individual. The head may be adorned in intricately designed hair sculpture due to the variety in thickness, and texture, from tightly curled to wavy and coiled natural hair. Natural hair lends itself to several hair sculpting techniques. One of the techniques is the practice of Threading not to be confused with the removal of unwanted hair and the shaping of eyebrows. Threading is found in many African countries especially in the West and Central part of the continent. It traditionally involves wrapping wool, yarn, extra shiny extra strong mercerized cotton or nylon thread tightly and evenly (or unevenly for a specific effect) around small sections of hair. The hair becomes stiff but pliable and easily coiled or coaxed into bold geometric shapes perched on top of the crown. The style makes hair grow long and soft- such was the stretching effect of the style! When properly done it gives the wearer a very unique and exotic appearance. It is a hairstyle that involves partitioning the hair into sections and wrapping the sections tightly with shiny black thread and is then folded into different designs.

A twentieth century variation on threading involves shiny synthetic thread instead of the traditional thread around natural hair; and it is called Silky Locks. Everyone who saw the styles turned and gave it a second look, many were impressed; their reactions showed that they thought threading for a modern woman was a daring or brave thing to do. But the very existence of this hairstyle is under threat in Africa. You hardly see ladies wearing these amazing crowns these days. This fact became alarmingly clear when I decided to do this feature on threading. The reactions were enormous. I never imagined that we had so much forgotten about threading hair that seeing someone wearing it would make people think they must come from another planet. The hairstyles attracted so much attention, admiration as well as controversy. Of course there were still those who may or would call it primitive and uncivilized; yet at the same time the commendations are just so much. One gentleman said that it had been a long time since he had seen this kind of hairstyle; which reminded him of the good old days.

To help protect the endangered art of threading hair you can contribute to promoting it by creatively plaiting and wearing it with pride at least once in a while. It is our culture;…a la Timberlake, let us bring “threading back.” Portray… Project…and Protect it!!!

By Anonymous
Photography by Chi Ezekwueche ___