Braiding has been in the black culture for generations. For many black women, getting their hair braided serves as their pride and enhances their beauty.
Many young girls can testify to the grueling days in their younger days when Saturdays and Sundays were days dreaded because they used to spend it nestled between their mother’s legs, or that of that of a hair stylist as their hair would be transformed into beautiful braids. And we all know how crucial finding a great braider is for all of our exquisite braiding, twists, and lock styles. While braids may have gained more popularity and visibility in recent years, the style has a rich history spanning generations and continents.
Over the years many braiding techniques have metamorphisized over the years from simple to complicated plaits.The most fascinating fact about braids is that they are perfect for almost every occasion. Most of the beautiful styles we see stem from various styles of old but the use of extensions(wig), make it more stylish and give a better sense of glamour.
METRO FOCUS reports that with numerous hair brands entering the market, the global market for hair attachments is rapidly expanding. Nigeria is now one of the preferred investment destinations for international hair companies seeking to enter the beauty and personal care market.
According to the 2022 population estimate by the National Population Commission (NPC), Nigeria, the most populous African country, now has over 215 million people and because of the strong population growth, particularly among the young, urban, and female populations, the beauty and personal care industry in Nigeria has plenty of room for expansion, particularly in the business of braiding.
Recently, METRO FOCUS observed that women nowadays prefer to wear weavon caps, low haircuts and dreadlocks which are cheaper compared to braiding with attachment, commonly known as wig that used to be the fashion of the day for most women.
It was gathered that the present state of the Nigerian economy has led to high cost of braiding items such as attachment/wig etc. The attachment that used go for three hundred naira now attracts N900 to N1200.
To a large extent, to braid, is time consuming for many women, because they can’t afford to spend much time sitting to have their hair braided.
In search for answers, METRO FOCUS correspondents sought the opinion of some women within the Jos metropolis. Among them were Elizabeth Wilfred, who said that African women are versatile with their hair styles, depending on the kind of choices. Women would like to rock a good bob, a perm, twists, afros, “didi”, Ghana weaving, dreadlocks, long and short weaves and of course braids. We love to look good; it boosts self-confidence and generally makes us feel great about ourselves.
“As a matter of fact, most women would agree with me that fixing a weave-on is a lot less tedious than getting hair braided. It takes a lot of patience to sit for four hours (at least!) with people pulling and tugging at your head all to get your hair done. While braids are not that easy to maintain, sometimes it takes from three to six months to keep, if properly maintained,” she said”
In another chat with an owner of salon, Rose Alkali said that ladies prefer to buy more weavon caps than wearing braids hair style. She said she makes more sales of weavon caps than braiding.
“Attachments(wigs) are expensive now, while weavon caps are more convenient, easy and less time consuming. Caps are preferred compared to braids. The hours for braiding could take like eight hours and above. In some cases, it takes two days to complete braiding. It all depends on how many stylists are working per time. Braids in many instances last for months. Also, that is dependent on how well they were made.”
Moreover, it was not surprising that what the saloonist was wearing was a weavon cap, to further confirm that women prefer caps to braids.
Needless to say, that hair braiding trends have come full circle with the re-emergence of various styles popular to various tribes in Nigeria depending on the region. Braids are pointers to identity and showcasing the pride and beauty of the black women.
In spite of the history black people have endured, braids have consistently been an inseparable part of their history. They have carried on from Africa to southern plantations, to the inner-cites of the North, and beyond until today where black women continue to proudly wear and reclaim the hairstyle of their ancestors.
A post graduate student at University of Jos, by name Nkechi Mary Udolum, said that she prefers weave -on cap to braids. Wigs are getting beyond the reach of an average woman in Nigeria and one wig is not enough for braid, you need more than one wig, depending on the hair style.
“For decades, Nigerian women have relied on X-pression hair as their go-to hair attachment. People who wanted to braid or weave their hair never specified a brand, only the colour they required, because X-pression was the accepted brand in all salons.”
