In a popular Netflix film, ‘Nappily Ever After’ the lead character makes a production of cutting her hair after her boyfriend of years refuses to propose to her.
For her, a woman who grew up with a mother who tended to her hair like a precious jewel, chopping it off took a lot of guts.
She later meets another man who doesn’t care what’s on her head and has a happy life despite her lack of long tresses.
A woman’s hair no doubt is one of the most distinguishing features on her – be it long hair, natural hair, low cut or dread locks. Whenever anyone sees a woman, that’s one of the first things they notice.
In the United States, African Americans are ‘reclaiming’ their hair back. Young girls who are bullied for having curly frizzy hair as opposed to their white counterparts are being encouraged to embrace their hair hence the natural hair movement.
In this case, the hair could be said to be an identity and perhaps a sign of power because the African Americans are taking back control in some way and owning up to whom they are and their culture as represented by their hair.
Women have always cared for and nurtured their hair and sometimes it has been a reflection of their identity. This did not start in recent times.
In ancient times, long hair was believed to be a symbol of femininity and beauty. Hindu widows were expected to cut their hair short or completely shave their heads to signify the fact that they have lost their husbands. This was also a way to take away their femininity and make them seem as undesirable.
This practice has continued today in some parts of Nigeria. Sometimes it is done without the widow’s consent as a sort of punishment for her husband’s death.
A change in a woman’s hair style could also be an indication of a crisis or change in her life. This is depicted a lot even in movies – A woman who just broke up with a boyfriend decides to get a makeover and starts with the hair. Women sometimes cut their hair or change the style following an important decision or a change in jobs.
These days with the plethora of weaves and wigs to choose from, a change in hairstyle can be as quick or fast as a revolving door. Can the hair still be a sign of power or femininity when the hair of your head isn’t even yours?
The Bible in 1 Corinthians 11:15 calls a woman’s hair her covering. This has been a source of debate in churches as to whether a woman should always cover her hair before entering the church or if the hair already serves that purpose. There are people on both sides of the divide.
But, in this day and age should all a woman is be tied to if she has a N120,000 weave or a low cut that takes only N200 a week to maintain? Is a woman’s hair, especially when it is long, all that defines her femininity and beauty?
Chioma Ejike, Journalist
“I don’t think the hair should define the woman because I know for sure that a woman is more than the hair on her head. The hair adds to the totality of the woman but really, sometimes so much fuss is made by the society and culture about what a woman does with her hair.
“For me, what a woman does with her hair is her business. If she’s married out of respect, I think she should tell her husband before doing anything drastic with her hair and if he’s good with it, I don’t see why what others say should matter. No one gets their way 100% all the time so if a woman wants to cut her hair and she asks and he says no, I think she should respect it.
“If it were me what I would do is revisit the issue again and again. I once wanted to lock my hair and told my husband and he said I should leave it. After a while I raised it again, he didn’t accept. I kept raising it and he later agreed.
“So, if a married woman wants to cut her hair or do whatever, and the husband says don’t, then don’t. It’s for peace to reign, there’s no point creating tension in the home. If he says he likes it long, humour him. There will be other things to get your way with. Give and take and there will be peace in the home.
“We believe the hair makes a woman pretty but if I believe I’m pretty without it or I just don’t care then why should I bother?
“I think the hair thing is only really an issue in the South East where they believe a woman cutting her hair is a sign of mourning.”
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Anita Udoh, Entrepreneur
“Well, I personally don’t think so. A woman’s power or femininity isn’t her hair. I have seen a lot of women on low cut that are still very feminine. I think it has to do with charisma, not hairdo.”
Victoria Jima, Fashion Designer/Business Woman
“I don’t think the hair is a symbol of femininity or power. But most cases people say a woman’s hair is her most priceless beauty accessory. But I only found out something really strange that made me go back to making my hair. I was told as a married woman cutting your hair is always a bad sign, like you want your hubby dead or wish he was dead.”
Imeneke Ennang, Pilot
“I don’t think a woman’s identity or femininity is in her hair. For me I’ve done everything, from low cut to weaves and everything in between. Femininity is not based on the hair. But if you’re on low cut, you actually have to make it look good. Some people will carry low cut and look like a man. So you have to treat it and make it sexy. Although it’s been said that most men like ladies with low hair but it varies. That’s why if you’re carrying the low cut you have to be different.”
While the power or femininity of a woman can be represented by the hair, it doesn’t have to define a woman. It is a way to express yourself or it is just hair depending on the woman. Wear your hair the way you’d like to express yourself to the world or try something new and totally unique each new week depending on how you feel. So long as the hair is neat and tidy, people will most likely not judge you by your hair.