It is clear that a significant majority of the consumers of hair braiding in the USA are African Americans, yet there are very few braiding salons that are owned and operated by African Americans. We must first explore some of the perceptions about hair braiding: Only authentic hair braiding are done by Africans from the continent; not true, since where ever there are people of African decent, there is hair braiding, some places are better than others. Even on the continent of African itself, there are come countries that are clearly identified as "better braiding countries" that others. I would clearly have a preferrence for a braiding from Senegal as oppose to one from Nigeria. The point is that are braiders where ever that are Black folks, some are better than others, and some do some styles better than others: one should naturally prefer someone from Senegal to do Senegalese Twist as oppose to a Nigerian doing the same style for example.
A unique and successful solution would be for African Americans and Africans braiders to cooperate in creating the braiding enterprise with the realization that both groups are bring various strengths to the table.
2 comments:
I am really enjoying your site. You actually focus beyond the common instructional or "how-great-it-is-to wear-your-hair-natural" topics. I have a question though, in this post you say,
"Even on the continent of African itself, there are some countries that are clearly identified as "better braiding countries" than others. I would clearly have a preference for a braiding from Senegal as oppose to one from Nigeria."
Isn't the quality of the braiding dependent more on the braider rather than location? I know that in specific locations there is a long tradition of braiding. However, generalizations can create potential biases against certain individuals within this industry. I would hope the goal would be to focus on the individual braider and make judgments based on that criteria instead.
If you have an opportunity, come for a visit to my Locs & Braid Styles blog.
Hi, I love your site. I'm a hair braider and I just wanted to let you know that I used 2 pictures of your braids gallery to post it on my site with a link to your site just to let people know about you. I hope it's ok. Please let me know.
You can visit my blog http://extensionscheveux.blogspot.com
I love your work and thank you for sharing your pictures.
Walisse.
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