Our hair has a history. In West African societies individuals wore their hair in certain styles to show to others the tribe of which they belonged. Names were often even given to individuals based on the examination of their hair type because each person had a unique type of hair. There was also a level of respect for women that had long thick hair because this symbolized a life force and the woman's ability to raise bountiful farms and many healthy children. Hair's value was increase even more in the spiritual realm. The Yoruba people were required to keep their hair braided in certain styles as a part of their religion. The head is the most northern part of the body and viewed as the part of the body that is closest to the heavens and therefore communication from the God's and spirits would pass through the hair. Because of the respect that the African people held for hair; hair dressers were also held in high regard.
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References
Afro-Textured Hair 
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