The stories that the girls shared in our workshop show that even at a young age, hair becomes a crucial part of identity. Here are the digital stories and memories shared by participants during their hair journeys:
When I was young, I remember watching Rapunzel. It was one of my favourite Disney movies and it influenced me a lot. I dreamt about having straight long hair just like her, even If I had curly and brown hair. But as I aged, I came to like my hairstyle more and more. Right now, I am very comfortable with my hair and I would say that it is my favourite hairstyle (but I believe that different hair looks good on different people).
—Agnes from Sweden
A workshop participant in Baltimore, Maryland shared a memory of getting island twists done to her hair, and the stylist gave her a pillow so she could sleep while sitting in the chair.
I used to not wear some hairstyles because it was said by my community that they are for street boys (e.g. dreadlocks, coloring the hair) but when I was exposed to social media I learnt that anybody can loc his or her hair.
—Aluel from South Sudan
Personally, my favourite hairstyle is when I use a curling iron to make my naturally straight hair curly. It just reminds me of being at the beach in Australia (which is my second home country), and the increase in volume is pure joy. However, this hairstyle doesn’t last long (max 3 hours), because of my stubborn hair (!) that is determined to be straight.
—Matilda from Sweden
The workshop provided a platform for participants from different parts of the world to share memories, which describe their unique identity and experiences. Appreciating these differences is empowering and provides an opportunity to foster connections between something that we may not think about often, but experience every day. Participants in the workshop also share techniques for hair styling, encouraging interest in cultural exchange.
Detoxing is a method of maintaining locs, commonly using baking soda or other treatments to deep clean the locs. The process involves washing and retwisting; a process that can take many hours.
—Student from USA
Knotless braids, passion twists, twists, and invisible locs are some styles that our friends in Baltimore, Maryland (USA) often wear. These styles are forms of protective hairstyles, used to retain length and moisture.
In my country, it is very normal to use a hair straightener to make your hair wavy or in some cases with big curls.
—Agnes from Sweden
Currently, in Sweden, some hairstyle trends are very popular. There isn’t a special hairstyle that’s dominant, but rather interest in how you treat your hair. For example, dry shampoo is a really big thing in Sweden. It is meant to increase volume in the scalp and look “clean”. I guess this is a part of the minimalistic Scandinavian style, where cleanness and simplicity are typical features. Greasy hair is quite disliked and seen as gross. It is also very popular to bleach your hair as well, or at least colour it several times.
—Matilda from Sweden
Although we love to hear about hair styles from around the globe, it is important to look at some of the struggles people face with hair acceptance. Stereotypes, laws, regulations, and social standards all influence the way that people express themselves. In some cases, regulating hair is a result of discrimination towards women or race. Many countries uphold standards for various reasons, and here are some ways this has impacted the youth:
Students in Juba, South Sudan informed us on the restrictions placed on young women’s hair in the education system. The young girls in Juba must wear their natural hair to school, and are only allowed to wear certain styles, such as individual braids, outside of school hours.
I faced judgment when I was studying in Kenya that I was told to shave my hair because that’s the rule of the school. No one should plait. I tried to refuse but didn’t work out. So I lost my long beautiful hair, which really traumatized me.
—Aluel from South Sudan
The young scholars in Baltimore, Maryland (USA) shared the impacts that social media has had on their hair journeys. They talked about how it influences styles and choices that girls make when getting a hairstyle. Recently, there was an influx of Black girls getting locs, which became a trend on social media. This kind of media generates the perception that all Black women have to follow that style, or they’re not in style.
These pieces are all only parts of the overall task that the girls were given. Each group was asked to creatively, and digitally express their hair stories. Here are the amazing stories they decided to share: