Ethiopian Women!

[PinkPeony]

RIGHT. And glad to see that i'm not alone in those sentiments..... I had to step away from the computer to run an errand, and I have to admit i was kinda nervous to check this thread again. I didnt know if i would be coming back to read an onslaught of attacks against me, lol. *wipes forehead in relief*

ITA.I lived together with several ethopiaen/eritrean girls and the ones that lived all of their life in africa had beautiful healthy hair,the ones that grew up in germany not so much.Also one friend traveled almost every year to ethopia and was amazed by the natural waist- or even buttlength hair the woman over there had.I have to dissapoint you all,there is no secret to their regimen,just common sense.If they want straight hair they rollerset,they wash and moisturize their hair often and pretty much leave it alone.My friend that had beautiful 3c/4a hair started using relaxers after her other ethopian friends made fun about her *kinks*,her beautiful midback length hair went to fried brastraphair.Eventually me and a friend could talk sense into her and she got back to her old routine.Btw- I loved to eat ethopian food,we girls always cooked for each other and their food usually was very spicy but yummy.I did not ask them what they used for cooking tough,as long as it tastes good I`am fine.

 

[Zakina]

I've read only some of the posts on this thread but all I can say is that Somalians(I am a Somali) are originally abyssinians mixed with arabs....so we have arab ancestry.

 

[FlowerHair]

I have a friend who is adopted from Ethiopia, she went there to visit her birth-mother and was also astonished when she saw all the beautiful heads of hair. She was brave enough to ask one lady for advice on the way home, on the plane. The lady said they relax very seldom, if they relax, around 4 times a year not more. Most women are completely natural and wear braids most of the time (no extra hair). Like someone said, their regimen is very simple and mostly when they move to Europe or USA they change their regimens and start losing hair.

Anyone can do what they do, by relaxing less or just staying natural and don't worry so much about fuzz or frizz, just let your hair do it's thing

And about them being mixed with arabs etc, yes it's true, but have you thought about it the other way around? If they weren't mixed with Black African would their hair be so curly and coily and beautiful? As much as I appreciate Arab hair, it's nothing compared to African hair... (I know many Arabs are also Africans, but you know what I mean)

 

[YellowButterfly]

I have to admit Shine -On I wanted to know too.
When I first met my friend Zin who is from Ethiopia, I asked her what did she do to her hair because it was pretty and I thought it was a relaxer and I wanted to know who did her hair and what type of relaxer she used. As it turned out her hair was natural and all she did was wash it and braid it for an awesome braid-out or wear it straight (I think blow dryed it). Her hair is 3 something. Similar to what some of my South African friends do. Zin stated she had a relaxer just one time and let it grow out because she hated it. She kept finding hair all over the bathroom and her hairdresser told her she would get use to it. She told her she did not want to get use to it and let it grow out. I just think it is wonderful in this day and age that we can appreciate the beauty of people of African Descent whether African American or from the Motherland . I have to admit I learned some good information from the Brazilian hair secret thread a while back.

 

[mslondon]

I asked my ethiopian friend if she used ghee or unsalted butter in her hair but she said she had never heard of ghee. She told me she & her friends use a honey & sunflower mix for their hair and nothing more apart from washing and conditioning like the rest mankind. Their hair is purely down to genetics and it will break and shed like anyother hair texture if not cared for.

 

[Country gal]

Can we stop walking on egg shells here? I guess its not PC to say that someone with "mixed" hair has pretty hair.

I don't get that impression from the posts. If someone is mixed with pretty hair, it doesn't stop me from complimenting them.

 

[shelli4018]

Well, there are probably very few women on this board who DON'T have mixed ancestry. Many African Americans have white and Native American ancestors. So Ethiopian hair practices may be useful after all.

 

[divya]

Good thread. The Ethiopian women here in the DC area generally have beautiful hair. Whatever hair tips they can offer may be very beneficial. One thing that I have noticed is that many of them are natural or wear low maintenance styles. "Simple looks" are among them are most common and they look lovely.

 

[Blaque*Angel]

Why did this thread have to do a "U TURN" ?

 

[glamazon386]

You and Ximenia are right. The Eithopia & South Eygpt or nubia/kush/nile area was long ago known as the cradle of civilization or biblically speaking part of the garden of eden all the way up to the tigris-euphrates rivers. One other river was mentioned but they are not sure about the last of the four rivers of Eden. I saw this on the history channel a few days ago. And we all know I hope that life began with a black woman (Eve). Edit:tigris, euphrates, nile, & the 4th is unknown

Yeah, I just took a class on African Civilization this past semester to finish up my African American studies minor. That was where he started. With the woman Eve's remains. I learned quite a bit. I really enjoyed the class. Sorry to hijack the thread guys! lol

 

[Queenie]

I just remembered something a lady I knew who was half Ethopian told me. She mentioned hot oil treatments with oils from that area of the world worked much better on her hair than other hot oil treatments. One of the oils was myrrh and can't remember the other.

 

[Zakina]

Honestly, I don't think that they are doing something special to their hair. It's just genetics.

I'm somali and I know alot of somali women with beautiful 1, 2 and 3 hair.... ...but sorry to say there is nothing special they do to their hair....it's pure and simple genetics.

 

[Crissi]

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[Teacake]

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[BrownSkin2]

I also lived in the DC for a few years and the apartment I lived in, there were alot of Ethiopians living there. I believe it is pure genetics and diet. Also most of the Ethiopians women I've seen are slender females, and most of them are natural. I see alot of rollersets and braid outs.

Yup, they do cook alot of spicy, curry dishes with rice and peas...

 

[Tru_Mind]

Many of us here including me have tried Indian hair care products (Alma) and regimens. I don't have that type of hair, but my hair still benefited. I know that hair comes in different textures, types, so on and so on, but hair is still made up of the same things...right?

Why do we still think that if we don't have the same type of hair the same products and regime won't work? We know that's not true...right?

-tru

 

[jwhitley6]

Many of us here including me have tried Indian hair care products (Alma) and regimens. I don't have that type of hair, but my hair still benefited. I know that hair comes in different textures, types, so on and so on, but hair is still made up of the same things...right?

Why do we still think that if we don't have the same type of hair the same products and regime won't work? We know that's not true...right?

-tru

Of course hair can benefit from various products used by the different cultures. I think the issue causing some of the dissent is that most likely, Ethiopian hair is just naturally that way (without much help from products). If that's the case, then why ooh and awe over it, since all hair types are beautiful when properly cared for.

 

[ximenia]

The "mixing" of ancestry took place centuries ago. In many instances, African descended persons were the product of the continuous contact taking place across the Indian Ocean from as early as 2000 B.C.E. which continued right up through the period of European expansion. The Cholas of southern India for example were traders who traded with and often took wives from the African populations in the Indian Ocean and mainland Africa. There was thus a constant mixing of populations from surrounding areas (through trading and/or colonization), many of whom took up residence in Ethiopia. So yes, when you break it down like that, Ethiopians (and other Africans in Africa) are of "mixed ancestry." So I agree with you that "not all Africans look alike", but those who do not have the "wider nose, full lips, and 4b hair" that you described are often a product of mixed ancestry (ie, Somalians w/East Indian, Egyptians w/Portugese, etc.).

the features we ascribe to africans (big nose/lips) are common among west africans. east and south africans have different features and those features were not acquired through 'mixing' they are present and original to the african genotype.

Not all people of African descent have wooly hair, however. Many of the populations of North East Africa have looser hair that is not as tightly coiled as that of most other Africans. Some of these groups (the Amhara, Tigray/Tigre, Harari ) have Semetic (Sabaen) ancestry; others have virtually no Middle Eastern admixture or significant Middle Eastern ancestry ie. the Somali, Oromo, Afar, some Nubians and so on ). Although Horn Africans are the only Africans who may have non-wooly hair without Arab or Berber admixture, Black Africans naturally differ in complexion and facial features as well without admixture with non-Blacks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black/African_Hair_Texture

we don't need to be mixed to have straight or curly hair. we really need to get rid of that misconception.

 

[ximenia]

I've read only some of the posts on this thread but all I can say is that Somalians(I am a Somali) are originally abyssinians mixed with arabs....so we have arab ancestry.

abyssinia is just an old name for ethiopia. i'm sure there was geographical exchanges but somalian type 3 hair and features weren't 'given' to them by the arabs.

 

[KiniKakes]

abyssinia is just an old name for ethiopia. i'm sure there was geographical exchanges but somalian type 3 hair and features weren't 'given' to them by the arabs.

With all due respect, Ximenia, how are you going to tell this girl about her own ancestry?

I do agree w/much of what you are saying... and it's obvious that you have done your research about African history, which I can definitely appreciate and respect. But I disagree w/you on this one. *shrug* Perhaps the key word in question is "given." Regardless of "who gave what to whom," Somalian people are made up of Arabic and African ancestry. I have a few Somalian coworkers who have stated this as well. So essentially, yes, this would make them genetically "mixed".... even if the mixing of ancestry occured centuries back.

 

[KiniKakes]

lol...I deleted the messege that you replied to Kinikakes...I wanted to write something much more explanatory. Anywhoo I'll be back and give you the full scoop on what Somali's are made up out of and what makes us look as we do.

EDIT: lol why did you delete your message Kinikakes?

Oh I was just editing it, lol.

BTW, I apologize to the originator of this thread..... because it has gotten so faaaar off topic. But I am enjoying this discussion, so I hope the moderators dont mind.

 

[jasmine26]

..interesting thread, it's funny how this has become a history discussion, lol!
here's my 2cents..

Ethiopians, somalians, kenyan all east african countries are mixed with arabs.
The orginial peoples of east africa had the distinct african features. There are many ethiopians who have the typical dark skinned, 4b hair and other prominent features. Southern Arabs did settle into these east african countries. Intermarrying did happen. Alot of east african vocabulary originated from arabs. the word swahili, from the swahili language is arabic for coast. The abyssinia name, which is the ancient name for ethiopia is arabic. Hence, my father is a product of this mixing. His maternal ancestry is ethiopian. His father is from Yemen, which is a southern arabic country. One of his ethiopian friends has the typical african features. My father was raised in Yemen. Vice versa, you will also find a lot of Arabs who are dark skinned and has african features because of the ancestral mixing. So while there are many fair skinned/curly 3b/c ethiopians/somalians it is a product of arab mixing that happened eons ago.

jasmine

 

[Blaque*Angel]

Many of us here including me have tried Indian hair care products (Alma) and regimens. I don't have that type of hair, but my hair still benefited. I know that hair comes in different textures, types, so on and so on, but hair is still made up of the same things...right?

Why do we still think that if we don't have the same type of hair the same products and regime won't work? We know that's not true...right?

-tru

I agree with you

 

[KiniKakes]

..interesting thread, it's funny how this has become a history discussion, lol!
here's my 2cents..

Ethiopians, somalians, kenyan all east african countries are mixed with arabs.
The orginial peoples of east africa had the distinct african features. There are many ethiopians who have the typical dark skinned, 4b hair and other prominent features. Southern Arabs did settle into these east african countries. Intermarrying did happen. Alot of east african vocabulary originated from arabs. the word swahili, from the swahili language is arabic for coast. The abyssinia name, which is the ancient name for ethiopia is arabic. Hence, my father is a product of this mixing. His maternal ancestry is ethiopian. His father is from Yemen, which is a southern arabic country. One of his ethiopian friends has the typical african features. My father was raised in Yemen. Vice versa, you will also find a lot of Arabs who are dark skinned and has african features because of the ancestral mixing. So while there are many fair skinned/curly 3b/c ethiopians/somalians it is a product of arab mixing that happened eons ago.

jasmine

Great breakdown. Thanks for that.

 

[KiniKakes]

we don't need to be mixed to have straight or curly hair. we really need to get rid of that misconception.

Btw, I just wanted to say that i DO agree with you on this statement. I am very aware that, as black ppl, it is possible to have hair other than 4b without being directly "mixed" (i say "directly" because we all have a lil' bit of Massa's gene's up in us somewhere, from when he came creeping into the slave quarters). But anyway, please dont misunderstand my overall point. In this thread we are talking specifically about Ethiopian/Somalian ppl, who DO happen to have a genetic mix that occurred some centuries ago. But yeah, as far as blacks not needing to be "mixed" to have type 3 hair texture, I am not disagreeing with you on that.

 

[MissMarie]

Ethiopians, somalians, kenyan all east african countries are mixed with arabs.
The orginial peoples of east africa had the distinct african features. There are many ethiopians who have the typical dark skinned, 4b hair and other prominent features. Southern Arabs did settle into these east african countries. Intermarrying did happen.

Vice versa, you will also find a lot of Arabs who are dark skinned and has african features because of the ancestral mixing. So while there are many fair skinned/curly 3b/c ethiopians/somalians it is a product of arab mixing that happened eons ago.

Actually, scientists are debating now that orginal man did not have the features usually stereotyped as West African. Many believe that the first people were brown rather than dark, with tight curls but not naps/kinks, and medium features rather than broad/ full. Dark skin, broad/ full features and tight kinks were later adaptations (along with a host of variant features indigenous to Africa) to environment, plus these features were likely also sexually selected to an extent (like the articles that came out this past spring about blonde hair).

Its kind of pointless to argue the 'mixedness' of such ancient groups of people as are present in the Horn. Rarely have groups of people been fully cut off from other groups, and in this case the mixing between groups in the Nile region, Arabia, and East Africa would have been pretty much constant over the millenia. So its difficult to determine who gave whom what since they've all been intermarrying forever (and geneticists haven't isolated yet where certain physical traits arose), and groups of people who went to North Africa, Arabia, south into the continent, or west in Central/ Western Africa never completely lost contact with where orginal man came from.

So its easier just to say that many Somali and Ethiopians have type 1-3 hair because that trait is very common amongst their people, and then just focus on their healthy hair habits. Though I've seen a number with type 4 hair.

 

[ximenia]

i think some of us are mixing apples and oranges.

im referring to the misconception that east african features are derived from arabs. the belief that 3 hair and aquiline features arent original to the african genotype but are inhereted from middle easterners is a fallacy. the genetic studies do not point to a non-black origin for those features among east africans. the genes, however, have shown an african origin for middle easterners. in other words, arabs are descended from east africans. east africans are not descended from arabs. as the article that i posted above pointed out, curly 3 hair is present in blacks where there is no genetic evidence of mixture with non-blacks. that phenotype exists in pure africans.

On scrutinizing the region of mitochondrial sequence in Africans and Indians, Santachiara-Benerecetti and coworkers ruled out the possibility that the M haplogroups in eastern-African and Asian populations arose independently -- rather, they have a common African origin. These findings, together with the observation that the M haplogroup is virtually absent in Middle-Eastern populations, support the idea that there was a second route of migration out of Africa, approximately 60,000 years ago, exiting from eastern Africa along the coast towards Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

http://www.nature.com/ng/press_release/ng1299.html

both middle easterners and indians are descended from east africans.

people keep mentioning who they are mixed with as a counter argument. no where have i stated that ethiopians/east africans in general did not intermarry with middle easterners. they are geographically close so its only plausable that relationships formed.

my challenge was to the assumption that those intermarriages resulted in the 3 hair that some east africans have. that phenotype is african, it is not the result of genetic admixture.

genes tell the truth and what they reveal is often different from what oral tradition holds.

 

[ximenia]

So its easier just to say that many Somali and Ethiopians have type 1-3 hair because that trait is very common amongst their people, and then just focus on their healthy hair habits. Though I've seen a number with type 4 hair.

agreed....

 

[Mestiza]

I found a thread, "Ethiopian Ladies" that does have a few hair care tips in it. I'll bump it!

 

[foxybrownsugar]

Yeah, I just took a class on African Civilization this past semester to finish up my African American studies minor. That was where he started. With the woman Eve's remains. I learned quite a bit. I really enjoyed the class. Sorry to hijack the thread guys! lol

You did learn alot, I wish I had taken a course like that in undergrad. All I have learned about African has been on my own via history channel, discovery channel, pbs, and the library.