The hair braids Orry flaunts have a fascinating history with a painful link to African slavery

Rihanna has sported them and so has Orhan Awatramani aka Orry. Hair braids have always found patrons across the world, especially Africa, which is rightly called the oldest inhabited continent on earth. But not many know that braids have a rich past which is symbolic of the resilience of African slaves many years ago.
During the era of slavery, which spanned roughly from the 16th to the 19th century, millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homes and transported to the Americas to work on plantations and in other labor-intensive industries.As African people were forcibly brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade, they faced unimaginable hardships and the brutal erasure of their cultural identities. Amidst this adversity, the act of braiding became a powerful form of resistance, a way to preserve a sense of self, community, and heritage.

Braiding as a form of communication
Enslaved African men, women, and children endured the harsh conditions of plantations, where their hair was often shaved to dehumanize and strip them of their cultural practices. However, the spirit of resistance persisted, and the art of braiding emerged as a secret form of communication and connection.
In the secrecy of the night or during moments of respite, enslaved individuals would come together to braid each other’s hair. These intricate braiding sessions were not only a means of self-expression but also a way to pass down stories, traditions, and even escape routes. The act of braiding became a silent language, a form of coded communication that transcended the barriers imposed by their oppressors.
Each braid told a story – a journey from the shores of Africa to the plantations, a testament to the strength and resilience of a people determined to maintain their cultural identity against all odds. The braids served as a connection to their roots, an unbroken link to a heritage that slavery sought to erase.

Evolving with time
As time progressed, the significance of braids evolved, taking on various styles and meanings within different African cultures. From cornrows to intricate patterns, each braid retained a piece of the collective memory of a people who, despite being dehumanized, continued to affirm their humanity through this art form.

Today, when we see braids adorning the heads of African descendants, we witness a living history, a celebration of survival, resistance, and the enduring beauty of cultural heritage. The story of braids is not just a tale of oppression, it’s a narrative of resilience, strength, and the unwavering commitment to keeping the flame of culture alive in the face of adversity. Through each braid, the spirit of those who braided as an act of resistance lives on, a testament to the indomitable human spirit.