The origin of the Afro hairstyle in Salvador

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Penteados e Cabelos Afro em Salvador

Afro hairstyles in Salvador have deep roots that trace back to the African culture brought by enslaved peoples during the colonial period.

These hairstyles are an essential part of the identity and resistance of African and Afro-descendant peoples in Bahia and Brazil as a whole.

Afro Hairstyles in Salvador

Afro Hairstyles

1. Origin and Cultural Significance

In Africa, afro hairstyles varied according to ethnicity, social status, age, religion, and circumstances such as ceremonies or mourning.

African groups brought to Brazil, like the Yorubas, Bantus, and Jejes, brought with them a rich diversity of hair styles that symbolized community belonging and spirituality.

In many cases, braids and other hairstyles functioned as a form of communication and expression of status, as well as a connection to ancestors and the sacred.

2. Hairstyles as Resistance

During slavery, enslaved Africans in Salvador used hairstyles as a way to preserve their cultural identity. Even under oppression, Afro-descendant men and women maintained hair traditions that resisted the imposition of European standards.

The use of braids, twists, and elaborate hairstyles with African symbols served as a way to keep ties to their roots, despite attempts at dehumanization.

3. Religiosity and Hairstyles

In Salvador, with the development of Candomblé and other African-rooted religious practices, hairstyles gained religious and spiritual significance.

In Candomblé houses, many hairstyles, like braids and specific adornments, are used in rituals to mark devotion to the orixás and ancestors.

Each orixá may have an associated hair style, worn in rituals and festivals, forming an integral part of Afro-Brazilian religious aesthetics.

4. Afro Hairstyles in Contemporary Culture

After the abolition of slavery, Salvador retained a strong African legacy, and afro hairstyles continued to evolve. In the 20th century, with movements to value Black culture and the strengthening of Afro-Brazilian pride, afro hairstyles became symbols of political and cultural resistance. Styles like Black Power, dreadlocks, and nagô braids re-emerged as statements of identity and a fight against racism.

Today, afro hairstyles are widely appreciated and represent not only a cultural heritage but also a celebration of Black beauty, seen on the streets of Salvador, in festivals like Carnival, and in religious practices, highlighting the continuity of an ancient tradition and the central role of the Afro-descendant community in shaping the cultural identity of the city.

Due to its porous, fine, and wavy structure, afro hair is naturally dry and therefore more delicate, requiring care. Some cuts help enhance these characteristics and bring out the best in women.

The main trick for a beautiful hairstyle is well-cared-for hair.

For afro hair to always look beautiful and healthy, hydration is necessary, as it helps restore the hair’s structure and softens the strands, allowing for various types of hairstyles.

The Black Power hairstyle symbolizes Black consciousness and strength. It references the Black people’s fight for civil rights. As the name’s translation suggests, it expresses Black power.

Afro Hair and Hairstyles – Travel and Tourism Guide to Bahia and Salvador.

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