Portraits of Nigerian Hair

Obidike Arinze Nnanyelu, who created the Visual History of Nigerian Hair illustration series, discusses what it means as an artist to document hair-making in Nigeria and unpack its cultural significance. 

Editor’s note: This essay is available in our print issue, Reimagining Nigerian Heritage. Buy the issue here.

Welcome to Chi Best Salon’ is an inscription that the average Nigerian will recognize is outside a hair salon. Salons are always welcoming, one of the few sanctuaries where people allow their hairs to be touched. After all, in many cultures, hairs and heads are viewed with a sense of spirituality. The Yoruba word, Orí, means the head and, figuratively, a personal god. 

Hairstyle in Nigeria is attached to identities and occasions. Simpler hairstyles are viewed as conservative while experimental flashy styles are perceived to be more liberal. The bigger the occasion, the grander the hairdo will likely be. 

For Reimagining Nigerian Heritage, illustrator, Obidike Arinze Nnanyelu, explored the visual culture of street hair salons, homing in on their signature hairstyle calendars. These calendars are usually hung in salons. Clients can choose any of the styles depicted or describe what they want based on these styles.  

In this interview, Nnanyelu takes us behind his approach to illustrations and the themes he sought to convey through the hairstyle illustration series...  

This essay features in our print issue, ‘Reimagining Nigerian Heritage’, and is available to read for free. Simply register for a Free Pass to continue reading.

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