Hairstyles are significant to the people of Nigeria, with various designs made to suit different social occasions. Major ethnic groups Nigerian were known for their distinct hairstyles in pre-colonial times. They consisted of weaving, plaiting and topknots, and the inclusion of other objects in form of elaborately carved woods or ivory combs, strings, and cowries.
Nigerian hairstyles have been in existence for a long time now, just like the way the fashion industry is developing, as never before, hairstyles have turned into a fashion statement. The women of Nigeria wear these styles like crowns and they are very gorgeous. They represent self-expression, self-insight, and self-confidence. These styles have as of late become a motivation for hairstylists and fashion beauticians across the world.
Despite the evolution in technology, weaving hairstyles are something that is setting down deep roots. The weaving hairstyles have progressed to modernization and grow very popular today. These styles are made to be so beautiful and they can last for as long as three months.
An unusual attribute of local weaving is elegance and this becomes more alluring when you wear traditional clothes. The simplicity of making it makes it a go-to hairstyle for every woman (young and old).
These hairstyles are depicted with various names like didi, patewo, shuku, ishi-aka, ishi-owu and others. The names vary with respect to ethnic group.
In the Nigeria, the head is highly valued and is regarded as the crown, especially the female hair, which is considered the crown of a woman’s beauty. Young girls tend to spice up their looks with beautifully designed hairstyles, because long and abundant hair on a woman’s head has always been a sort of pride, power of sexual attraction and dignity. It is also considered one of the major attributes of feminine beauty, and this concept has been present even in the olden world.
Hairstyles could serve purposes like religion, identification, or to communicate marital status. In some western states, poorly made hair can be perceived as anti-social behavior or a symptom of ill health. Some signify sophistication, youth or grieving, while others can represent social commentary.
Beautiful Local weaving hairstyles
SHUKU
Shuku is a traditional hairstyle originating from Nigeria. Regardless of being around for thousands of years, this hair braiding style is gorgeously creative and innovative, it is also making a return on the fashion scene. Shuku is extremely stylish, creative, innovative and modern.
Shuku (meaning basket in Yoruba language) originated from Nigeria and more specifically from the Yoruba ethnic group, one of the most important ethnic group in this country with more than 40 million members.
Traces of this hair weaving method can be found as far as 2500 years ago. Figurines found during this period showed human representation wearing this braids. The most extricated Shuku styles were initially worn by queens and princesses to distinguish them from the commoners.
This hairstyle was traditionally reserved for the wives of royalty but it is now common among young women, students, and married women.
During those times, the braids patterns required highly skilled braiders, and these skills were taught and passed on from generation to generation by mothers to their daughters as a treasure.
The simplicity of it makes it less time-consuming and easier to carry out than other more complex designs.
The shuku hairstyle, involves braiding from the forehead to the nape of the neck to form a rump on top of the head. There are many variations of this popular style, and sometimes it is complemented with side plaiting.
Today, it is not rare to see women, proudly and beautifully, wearing shuku hairstyles, it has even gotten to American and western beauty salon.
CORNROWS
It is agreed that women look more appealing when the hair is well arranged as it adds confidence to the carrier and attracts attention from male folks. Cornrows make every woman look younger, allow air in and gives the hair ample time to grow. The hair is divided into various sections, weaved from the forehead down to the neck, the higher the number of braids, the thinner the braids and the more beautiful, and arranged they appear. The simplicity of this hair makes it an easy-to-do hairstyle for most young girls.
EKO BRIDGE
The Eko bridge hairstyle represents a bridge in Lagos, Nigeria. This local hairstyle is popular among the Yoruba ethnic group. The hair is divided at the middle into into 10 or 11 sections and made with black thread from the edge down to the back of the scalp, with brushes around the hair. The hair is made a bit high from the scalp to replicate the Eko Bridge. The thin braids are then twisted to form a bridge-like focal point above the head.
ERE
Ere hairstyle identifies worshipers of the deity Esu, which is believed to guard travelers and have powers over fortunes and misfortunes. The Ere hairstyle identifies worshipers of the deity ‘Esu’.
The style involves a single, long growth of hair at the front or center of the head. The single-strand resembles a ponytail, which has religious significance in that faith.
DADA
The Dada hairstyle depicts the person’s religion. Some Yoruba believe that natural, dense hair has religious significance, so hair is often left to grow into dreadlocks from a young age. This hairstyle is associated with the god Olokun.
Parents believe that if they cut their children’s hair, it may cause sickness or death so they nurture the hair to form dreadlocks and can decide to design it with beads or cowries. The hair is regularly regarded as a gift from the gods.
PATEWO
Patewo means ‘clap your hands’ in English is a style mimicking clapped hands. It means making the ends of your hair come together oppositely, you will notice that it will form the shape of clapping of hands.. The making procedure involves dividing the hair vertically down the middle, the hair is then braided from each side of the hair to the partition.
Patewo is an African name that belongs to the Yoruba culture of Nigeria. The patewo hairstyles are commonly referred to as Braided Mohawks in English. Mohawk as a hairstyle is where both sides are shaved leaving the hair in the middle long and usually styled to stand straight ups
OGUN PARI
This means ‘end of the war’. The hairstyle was created to remember the end of the Nigerian Civil War. The natural hair is divided into large sections, and made into long, thin braids. The braids are then bent into large arches, connecting the thin tops to the bottom of adjacent braids.
