Nigerian Naturals Help!

[temfash]

I am half Nigerian and I can tell you that many of my relatives are natural. Africans do not care about whether one's hair is natural or not as long as it is groomed. If you carry braids or a short natural cut Nigerians do not care but if you wear your natural hair ungroomed (big uncombed, unmoisturised afro) then you will get a serious side eye.

Then again you have some people who don't care like that half Nigerian half Indian popular tv presenter for Naija Idols (Nigerian version of American Idols) and he wears a big poofy afro and doesn't care what anyone thinks. Though he does say he was given lots of flack growing up and not controlling his big fro. People will always have something to say!!!!!

Best,
Almond Eyes

That's the bottom line the hair has to be groomed to be deemed appropriate.

 

[NYDee]

afrofaithful, -PYT, BlackMasterPiece, TopShelf
It's not the natural hair that is the issue but the way it is worn; in this case the fact that it will be worn out in an Afro. Culturally that's not perceived as a good hair style. What people see is you having your hair looking wild. Styling of hair to most Africans involves having it in braids, cornrows or thread plaits. With AA influence you also now have perms and weaves too.

Wow...reading this is so sad! They really hate natural hair in Nigeria? I figured you would go and everybody would be more accepting...I have heard it was bad but not that bad! Everybody in here says braid it up! lol

 

[TopShelf]

I hear what you're saying but I can n never understand how wearing someone else's hair is ever more acceptable than wearing your own, no matter the style

 

[almond eyes]

I think if your hair is severely damaged then a wig is a good option. There are many women in West Africa due to bad hair care practises have damaged hair and if they were not wearing their wigs, they would look sick. And I want to clarify, that I am not talking about hair length. I am saying that if your hair is lifeless due to overuse of heat or overprocessed relaxers, you have alopecia (due to tight pulling of the hairline due to weaves and braids), your scalp is dry and flaked (due to lack of washing and an unhealthy scalp (bad snythetic hair, glue) a wig or head wrap is certainly a better option.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[*CherryPie*]

WOW! I would've never thought Nigerians behaved like that when it comes to natural hair. I thought they'd be more accepting of natural hair. They sound worse than Americans. You step off the bus and you're called so many names that you want to cry?

 

[almond eyes]

I have never heard any of the Nigerians in my family or that I know personally talk badly about natural hair because mostly all the Nigerian women I know whether in Naija or in the States or abroad are currently wearing very short naturals. What Nigerians do not like is poorly groomed hair natual or relaxed. So if your hair is natural but untidy, they will talk.

Best,
Almond Eyes