Ethiopian Women!

[Lusa]

...I was starting to get a little disturbed by the thread, too. I agree that they have pretty hair, but there are no Ethiopian foods or hair techniques that will make my 4a/b hair look like their 3b-ish....they could never be "hair idols" for me, but I can appreciate the beauty of all hair types.

Ditto, those are my exact sentiments!

 

[beyondcute]

Oh dear.... I thought this thread was to find info about how they kept thier hair healthy not to admire and oogle over thier bi-racial-liek hair.... Either way I an see what you ladies mean... Sometimes these threads tend to take a turn for the worse...

 

[Shimmerwink]

I have always attributed a lot of North and East African's features such as their hair to their mixed lineage (Arab & African). So, I don't think there's a whole lot they have to do to maintain what they have since most of their hair is very manageable and tends to grow longer than your average African. However, this is not to say they do not take care of their hair, they do.

You are right. It's in the genes...... I have Ethiopian friends and they don't do anything special it just grows...... Somalis have similar type hair too........

 

[KiniKakes]

Thanks Kini. ITA...I was starting to get a little disturbed by the thread, too. I agree that they have pretty hair, but there are no Ethiopian foods or hair techniques that will make my 4a/b hair look like their 3b-ish....they could never be "hair idols" for me, but I can appreciate the beauty of all hair types.

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*

 

[KiniKakes]

I understand where you are coming from Jwhitley and KiniKakes. For me though, I can see how their Ethiopian foods or hair techniques can assist in making my 4b hair look like healthier, prettier 4b hair.

For example, this is part of why I enjoy eating lots of sea vegetables. Besides being more of an Asian food staple (which I find delicious ), it also bring more beauty to hair, mainly from the iodine and other naturally occurring minerals and vitamins. And Asian hair for the most part is greatly admired and beautiful enough to be made into weaves for Americans. I enjoy my sea veggies knowing I won't have type 1 or 2b Asian hair, but I'll sure have healthier 4b hair.


.

That I can definitely agree with and respect.

 

[foxybrownsugar]

oh dear, I hope a fire doesnt start. I can see the beauty in all hair types/textures and I hope that you all can too.

 

[Cinnabuns]

I have a friend that is Ethiopian from school. He has gorgeous hair. I also have a friend who is half black and somalian who has gorgeous hair as well. I've seen a few other Ethiopians around and they have type 3 hair. They have gorgeous shiny small curls. Here's his hair. I hope he doesn't mind me stealing this picture out of his gallery on facebook lol

Wow...I have the exact hair texture.

 

[ximenia]

Originally Posted by Lusa
I have always attributed a lot of North and East African's features such as their hair to their mixed lineage (Arab & African). So, I don't think there's a whole lot they have to do to maintain what they have since most of their hair is very manageable and tends to grow longer than your average African. However, this is not to say they do not take care of their hair, they do.

ethiopians are not mixed. some marry arabs but they had that hair texture before they started mixing with arabs. i have a side interest in genetics and based on the gene studies ive read, its the arabs who are descended from the ethiopians, not the other way around. arabs are basically lighter skinned ethiopians. they have ethiopian features too. a person can be 100% pure east african and have 3c/b/a hair and a straight nose. those features are pure african and you'll see them throughout africa. when we think africa we have a tendency to believe that all africans look alike (flat nose, big lips, 4b hair) and if they dont it must mean theyre mixed. not so. african people are more genetically diverse than other group.

 

[hopeful]

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*

Girl, can't nobody get mad at you. You just said how you felt, and quite politely and respectfully I might add.

Carry on ladies, this is an interesting thread.

 

[bajanplums1]

All the Ethiopians I have known told me that there are East Indian roots in the country. Perhaps that affects the hair's texture.

 

[Shine-On]

Oh wow! I haven't checked this thread since I posted it earlier. Please excuse my ignorance, I had no idea what hair type Ethiopian women had. If someone asked me I would have answered that their hair type was 4a/b. I didn't think too hard about classifying them as that wasn't the focus of my post. erplexed

When I saw the two women on my lunch break, one wore a braid-out and with the exception of the hair color, her hair that looked very similar to Isis' in her avatar. The other had her hair blowdried and it appeared thick, kinky and healthy (not bone straight at all). I view Ethopian woman as women of color, like myself and am simply interested in what they do for their hair.

If I, like a few other women on this board, had type 3ish hair, then would it have been okay for me to compliment the Ethopian women I saw?

Maybe I'm just an eager newcommer (I know I am ) but I would like to know what the women do to maintain the condition of their hair. I don't see my post being any different than posts inquiring about Dominican salon styling practices or Dominican product reviews. Now their hair (Dominicans) is TOTALLY different than mine in texture but I sure don't mind copying their blowout technique to stretch my relaxer. I also like some of their conditioners. 3ish, 4ish, 5ish hair? As long as it's beautiful, I wanna know the 411.

Bless

 

[KiniKakes]

ethiopians are not mixed. some marry arabs but they had that hair texture before they started mixing with arabs. i have a side interest in genetics and based on the gene studies ive read, its the arabs who are descended from the ethiopians, not the other way around. arabs are basically lighter skinned ethiopians. they have ethiopian features too. a person can be 100% pure east african and have 3c/b/a hair and a straight nose. those features are pure african and you'll see them throughout africa. when we think africa we have a tendency to believe that all africans look alike (flat nose, big lips, 4b hair) and if they dont it must mean theyre mixed. not so. african people are more genetically diverse than other group.

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.).

 

[brownbarbie]

Girl, I thought I was the only one!

 

[glamazon386]

ethiopians are not mixed. some marry arabs but they had that hair texture before they started mixing with arabs. i have a side interest in genetics and based on the gene studies ive read, its the arabs who are descended from the ethiopians, not the other way around. arabs are basically lighter skinned ethiopians. they have ethiopian features too. a person can be 100% pure east african and have 3c/b/a hair and a straight nose. those features are pure african and you'll see them throughout africa. when we think africa we have a tendency to believe that all africans look alike (flat nose, big lips, 4b hair) and if they dont it must mean theyre mixed. not so. african people are more genetically diverse than other group.

You're right. All civilization started in Ethiopia.

 

[KiniKakes]

Oh wow! I haven't checked this thread since I posted it earlier. Please excuse my ignorance, I had no idea what hair type Ethiopian women had. If someone asked me I would have answered that their hair type was 4a/b. I didn't think too hard about classifying them as that wasn't the focus of my post. erplexed

No need to excuse yourself, sis. I think this post sparked an interesting discussion that has been enlightening for many of us. I am enjoying hearing the varying viewpoints and so forth.

 

[brownbarbie]

OT: I have a innocent crush on the ethiopian excutive chef, Marcus ? (I'm bad w/names)the one who works in Ny with the swedish adoptive mom and is on the cooking channels. I really think I'm going to marry a non-american one day. I have a preoccupation with ppl from foreign lands. Ok time for me to go. I have been here all day which is unusal for me.

----OK. Let me try this again...----

Girl, I thought I was the only one!

On another note, I don't think they view other black women in a very positive light, so that's one reason that they are hush-hush on the beauty routines. They are a very beautiful people, though!

 

[chocolatesis]

ethiopians are not mixed. some marry arabs but they had that hair texture before they started mixing with arabs. i have a side interest in genetics and based on the gene studies ive read, its the arabs who are descended from the ethiopians, not the other way around. arabs are basically lighter skinned ethiopians. they have ethiopian features too. a person can be 100% pure east african and have 3c/b/a hair and a straight nose. those features are pure african and you'll see them throughout africa. when we think africa we have a tendency to believe that all africans look alike (flat nose, big lips, 4b hair) and if they dont it must mean theyre mixed. not so. african people are more genetically diverse than other group.

Thank you Ximenia, I was about to say the same thing. Arabs are the ones who are mixed. I guess many people find it hard to believe that dark skinned people can have those types of features without being mixed.

 

[nijilah]

I had a housemate from there when I lived in the DC area. Using the ghee butter on your hair and scalp every night and then washing it out in the morning works wonders! I tried it and it works but it takes time to do it. My housemate did it all the time because her hair started to break when she came to the US. The ghee butter at night brung hair hair back to life!

 

[MizaniMami]

I had a housemate from there when I lived in the DC area. Using the ghee butter on your hair and scalp every night and then washing it out in the morning works wonders! I tried it and it works but it takes time to do it. My housemate did it all the time because her hair started to break when she came to the US. The ghee butter at night brung hair hair back to life!

What is ghee butter?

 

[punchinella]

There are some Etheopian sisiters who own a store in my area. The first time I walked into their store they thought I was from Etheopia.They both have differnt hair textures (one is 3ish the other 4ish). They both have relaxers but their hair looks very full and healthy. I asked the one with the 4ish hair what she does and she said she greases her hair. She said "not that fake grease they have at Sally's, go to the black store and get some real grease".

 

[foxybrownsugar]

You're right. All civilization started in Ethiopia.

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

 

[Country gal]

Very interesting. Thanks for the history lessons. I am learning some new stuff.

 

[nurseN98]

ethiopians are not mixed. some marry arabs but they had that hair texture before they started mixing with arabs. i have a side interest in genetics and based on the gene studies ive read, its the arabs who are descended from the ethiopians, not the other way around. arabs are basically lighter skinned ethiopians. they have ethiopian features too. a person can be 100% pure east african and have 3c/b/a hair and a straight nose. those features are pure african and you'll see them throughout africa. when we think africa we have a tendency to believe that all africans look alike (flat nose, big lips, 4b hair) and if they dont it must mean theyre mixed. not so. african people are more genetically diverse than other group.

Wow, very interesting post!

 

[Angelicus]

Some people say ghee is the secret but it's not. It's the fact that they moisturize and the following: Genes, diet, and consistency.

 

[MissJ]

I think Ethiopians have other nationalities (I think Arab) in the bloodlines than just African. The Ethiopians I know all have 3-something hair. It's kind of like when black people say they've got Indian in their family as to why they nice hair.

 

[Mestiza]

Oh wow! I haven't checked this thread since I posted it earlier. Please excuse my ignorance, I had no idea what hair type Ethiopian women had. If someone asked me I would have answered that their hair type was 4a/b. I didn't think too hard about classifying them as that wasn't the focus of my post. erplexed

When I saw the two women on my lunch break, one wore a braid-out and with the exception of the hair color, her hair that looked very similar to Isis' in her avatar. The other had her hair blowdried and it appeared thick, kinky and healthy (not bone straight at all). I view Ethopian woman as women of color, like myself and am simply interested in what they do for their hair.

If I, like a few other women on this board, had type 3ish hair, then would it have been okay for me to compliment the Ethopian women I saw?

Maybe I'm just an eager newcommer (I know I am ) but I would like to know what the women do to maintain the condition of their hair. I don't see my post being any different than posts inquiring about Dominican salon styling practices or Dominican product reviews. Now their hair (Dominicans) is TOTALLY different than mine in texture but I sure don't mind copying their blowout technique to stretch my relaxer. I also like some of their conditioners. 3ish, 4ish, 5ish hair? As long as it's beautiful, I wanna know the 411.

Bless

You have done nothing wrong! I'm glad that you started this thread b/c I appreciate ALL hair types (1 - 4) and can learn from ANYone who has beautiful and healthy hair (including, Ethiopians). Hair type, texture, race, ethnic background, etc... doesn't matter one bit to me.

 

[Mestiza]

oh dear, I hope a fire doesnt start. I can see the beauty in all hair types/textures and I hope that you all can too.

I can, too!

 

[sweetascocoa]

my grandma is Nigerian. she is not mixed and she has 3C hair. we dont have any arabs, indians or ethiopians in our family. my dad and one of his sisters have the same hair but i have 4Z hair LOL

someone doesnt have to be mixed to have hair that is not type 4

ETA: my greatgrandma (grandma's mum) also has the same hair type.

 

[sassyhair]

My mother has very long black thick hair and similar facial features of ethiopians, she has always been asked it she was Ethiopian, she never knew how to take it, even when she was younger.

I would like to know about thier pratices as well.

 

[caligirl]

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