Do It For the Culture: Durags and Headwraps
- Justice Hill
- Feb 5, 2018
- 2 min read
So it's February in the United States, and what does that make me think of? Black History Month! But, you know what we've also been thinking about this month, the cold! And how everyone has had to protect their tresses from this cold, dry weather. I have seen countless beautiful headwraps and durags this winter season, so I thought I could break down a little history of both in the US.
In the US, the first people to wear durags were African American women who were slaves. Slave owners in the Antebellum South created legal codes for their slaves that included clothing and other qualities. The "durags" that these women wore were meant to keep their hair out of the way during work, prevent lice, and to keep the hair clean when tending to the fields. While these are practical uses for the durag, slave owners also used this legal code to further imprison the African American spirit during the slavery era.
This eventually led to the durag movement during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's and 1930's, which used the durag as a hairstyle preserver for both men and women. African American men were rocking the nicely oiled waves and African American women were showing off their pressed pin up curls. The durag kept these hairstyles intact while they slept and decreased the amount of trips one had to take to the salon or barbershop. This also led to scarves being used by African American women to keep their bigger hairstyles looking pristine as well.
As African Americans took back pieces of their culture, they began to explore their roots in the continent of Africa. Headwraps have also been an important part of the culture of African Americans. Nubian and Egyptian queens both wore them as elaborate headdresses that showed their status as royalty. These pieces of cloth were beautifully dyed and woven showcased the talent of cultures in Africa.
This has led the way for many African owned companies to sell their headwraps in the US to African Americans who want to incorporate some of that lost culture into their culture that they have now. Women also wear headwraps for ceremonies, such as weddings, and if they're just having a bad hair day. Our generation has become increasingly comfortable in who we are, from how we wear our hair to what we wear on it. Seeing other black people on campus wearing their hair however they want, be it with a relaxer or with their natural hair, has shown us that we are our own people with our own culture and our own choices of attire.
I would also like to take the opportunity to showcase our very own Collegiate Curl friend here at USC, Makayla "Kayla" Cummings. Just look at that melanin shinin' through. Thanks for allowing me to feature your beauty girl.
Collegiate Curls USC is also hosting an event where people can step out "do it for the culture." However, we encourage everyone to participate and show us your stylistic tastes during Black History Month.
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