The iconic African comb means a lot more than hair
Hair means a lot to us: how we style it, how we dress according to it, its look when others lay their eyes on it. It’s pretty normal for everyone to have their own different hairstyles, and in recent times we have seen many abnormal, yet beautiful ways to get your hair done. But its stance and stamp on Black communities is a lot more than what we think it is.
We stick them in almost, every part of our hair, and almost echoes a stance of actions never seen before. Surprisingly however, the comb was invented and dates to years back, in Egypt, to be precise, over a span of 5,500 years ago. Its importance, however, rose in the 70s and 80s as a way to deny all ways and symbols of oppression towards the black people.
Who knew an item for natural refreshment could mean so much more?
The fact that people are shaving their own hair off to showcase true roots is surprising yet understandable. While growing your hair as you were born with, it might erase a bit of the identity you have within you, and by shaving some, if not all, of it allows the hair to grow as you would’ve had before.
In this instance, re-growing your hair could link to how people use Afro combs, as a mark of identity of who you are.
I’ve seen some of the dramatic changes, and none other better example than myself. Curly and brownish black hair to a more thicker yet brushable hair texture. I have a friend that constantly uses an Afro comb, and what makes it special is just how much people do it and the small connection that it has with one another.
The way that certain people use it and, essentially, stick it in at the front of their heads is not only for showing off, but a psychological impact to say that “we’ll be here as long as we wish and you can’t do anything about it” way. The fact that it hasn’t changed since shows us that it’s here to stay, and why not? A reminder of what happened in the past is always a way to change the future.
As long as it can be, I believe that the Afro comb is here to stay and is the constant reminder of what’s already happened. So the next time you might use one, remember. Remember what they did and remember that we changed it.
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