A couple of years ago post traumatic break-up, I decided to practically shave all my hair off. (all that shpeel about new beginnings, purging etc etc) I looked a fright. What, with a head that scarily resembled a soccer ball, and chubby cheeks that stubbornly refused to go away, I realised that my hair used to hide a multitude of sins.
But no worries, I quickly twisted the kinky fuzz that was left, hence creating a respectably funky look that detracted from the roundness that was my face. It took about 2 years for my fuzz to grow to an impressive fro, which I absolutely treasured and took great pleasure in exaggerating!
But the fro was not without it's own drama - to say my mother LOATHED it would be an understatement! Had she had it her way, she would have held me down and poured that relaxer while I kicked and screamed blue murder.
I wish I could say that I was the ideal rebellious child and kept my beloved fro, but alas, last Christmas I caved. I did the unthinkable, I relaxed my hair:( Now for the non-Darkies out there, relaxing entails chemically straightening your hair, aka taming the fro.
So here I am, 7 months down the line, BURDENED with the necessary upkeep and maintenance of "relaxed hair":( Where once I wouldnt have thought twice about running through sprinklers or going surfing (YEAH RIGHT!), now, the question that immediately comes to mind is, "Ah, what about my hair??!!"
How stifling, how limiting, what unecessary DRAMA!
5 comments:
well my friend i have to say that there is nothing more liberating than having natural hair (better yet short natural hair). i have followed in your footsteps and I shaved my hair off, went short for a while braided it and now i have the twists cum locks. surprisingly (or not) I have decided to hold back on going the whole nine yards and use that gooi stuff i think its beeswax...because like u Star im not sure if my mother will approve of the look. Is it weird that a 20 something young woman is still concerned about what her mother thinks about her hair, boyfriend, relationships and everything else. Whats your take on this Star.
On a different note...well done on the blogg idea. I know what I'll be doing lunch times at work.
Welcome dear friend to the world of blogging! Its quite theraputic, i look forward to reading your random gwans (they were always so entertaining)!
As for the vhudzi gwan, i feel ya! I love the convenience of having flowing locks but the maintenance is a beyatch. Am ALWAYS at the hair salon! Futi, it will be a while before i see myself in a pool or masquerading under a sprinkler *sigh* The sacrifices i make i tell you.
Once again, welcome, welcome, WELCOME
Hey Star-Child. I'm digging your blog. It's refreshing - plus, reading your endless chatter almost shortens the distance between Jozi and Durbs for me. On the hair tip, you know how distraught I was when you relaxed your hair. I am still not quite over it - but that's okay. I'll continue carrying the afro-torch all on my lonesome. You should've given Ma Kachisa a little more time. My mother started out cussing my hair every time she saw me, now she gives me suggestions on how I can get it to be a little softer, without chemically traumatizing it. Spiwe's comment is too true though - we still care far too much about what our mothers think about us and our lives. I guess we're independent and liberal, as long as our mothers are comfortable with it, to some degree. Although, I can proudly say that there are some areas of my life where I refuse to budge - e.g. funny high-heeled shoes, bright-coloured clothes, marriage and babies. I will not wear rainbow coloured clothing and girly high-heeled shoes everyday, like my mother would prefer me to. And I will not get married and have children anytime soon - maybe someday when I get bored of being single and free. Later,,,
Well here is some family commentary - Hi all! For those of you who do not know me, I'm Star's sista (aka one of those that coerced her to to have the relaxer job)...But I repent - I have come to my senses. Living in the Carribean, you would presume that all the ladies....and men for that matter all have nothing else but locks and fro's. Naa - these peop's are hard core believers in spending a pretty penny on grooming at the hair salon. Saturday is dedicated to some serious preening from top to toe. So being the negro I am I figured I couldn't beat them so.... Aaaah - me thinks it's madness now. So.......I am currently trying to muster the courage to hack off all my processed strands and adopt a 'free head' policy. This, just in time for my September visit to my Mum (your prayers are greatly appreciated). So....hate to break it to you - even at 27 you are still going to give a hoot what Mumzy dear thinks about the most arbitrary things!
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