The History of the Afro

The Afro is a African American hairstyle.

The Afro, sometimes called a "natural" and often shortened to "fro," is a popular hairstyle born out of African American culture. The Afro hairstyle extends out of the head in the shape of a ball or cloud. The Afro hairstyle requires curly textured hair, so although anyone of any ethnic background is capable of growing an Afro if they have the right type of hair, people of African descent typically have the right type of hair.

The Afro before 1960s America

Styles similar to the Afro are known to have existed in different cultures prior to the "modern Afro" of African America. The ancient Egyptians were known to wear wigs which resemble the modern Afro style; also, the Sudanese traditionally style their hair in a similar fashion to the Afro.

The Afro as a Political Statement

During and following slavery in the United States, African Americans often straightened or flattened their hair in an attempt to mimic the styles of the white society in which they lived. Most African Americans tried to conform to Euro-American ideas of beauty. So when civil rights, black pride and black power movements encouraged African Americans to avoid straightening their hair and to wear natural hairstyles, the Afro became a statement of political resistance. Malcolm X, the famous black rights activist, made a statement calling straightened hair in African Americans "a step towards self degradation." People began sporting Afros as a show of racial and cultural pride. Afros became symbols of liberation, emancipation, liberalism, progressivism and sometimes militancy.

The Afro in Popular Culture

The modern Afro entered popular culture in 1960s America. Cicely Tyson, star of the popular television series East Side, wore a small Afro in 1963. Jimi Hendrix was one of the first popular entertainers to wear a large Afro. Political activist Angela Davis, actress Pam Grier and the members of the Jackson Five and the Supremes all sported large Afros in the 60s and 70s.

Chronology of the Afro

In many northern and western American states, Afros were commonly worn from around 1964, mainly in the poorer neighborhoods. However, in the south of America the Afro didn't become a popular hairstyle until 1969. During the late 1970s the style became popular throughout mainstream America, with even white men and women adopting the Afro.

The Comedy Afro

In contemporary culture, the Afro is often used to comic effect. Afros are used in popular comedies as places to hide objects or weapons. Ridiculously large Afros are worn by comic characters in films for slapstick effect--for example, in Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, O.J. Simpson's character wears an Afro so large he is unable to walk through a door. In the British comedy series Trigger Happy TV, the actor Dom Jolly wore a huge Afro wig to obscure the view of tourists attempting to view London's landmarks.

References

• Black History: The Afro