It is becoming commonplace to see men with braided hair. Men who wouldn’t have worn braids a few decades ago now embrace them, approaching the braiding style in many unique styles and patterns from box braids and cornrows to two-strand braids, and more.
Though the fashion fad is becoming popular and acceptable by the day, a cross-section of Abuja residents interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday is of the opinion that hair braiding for men is alien to the African culture.
Speaking to NAN correspondent, Vincent Chukwuebuka, a resident of Wuse 2, said the society sees men with braided hair as being irresponsible. He said it is against African culture.
“People tend to see them as being irresponsible in society because they tend to look rough and unkept,” Chukwuebuka said.
“The African culture does not accept men braiding their hair, men who braid their hair are mostly moved by the trends just to fit in.
“Though braiding was once seen as a social act in Nigeria, our present culture does not accept it. I personally do not like judging people by the way they look, but I think we should follow the rules guiding our society.”
For Collins Okoroafor, a resident of Kubwa, the reason most men braid their hair is to copy their favourite celebrities. He added that the trend is unacceptable to the Nigerian culture.
“Celebrities have great influence on people, they see their favorite artist on braids and they do the same, though it is not part of our culture,” Okoroafor said.
“The conservative nature of the Nigerian culture does not accept a male braiding hair. Once a typical Nigerian sees someone who braids hair, they think he is into music or a gang member or he is not someone you can look up to as a responsible person.
“I also do not think that is a way to judge someone though, but our culture is too conservative to accept it.”
Esther Joseph, a resident of Dei-Dei, supported the view that the trend is alien to African culture. She said there is always a wrong impression about men with braided hair.
“Men who braid their hair always get the wrong impression from people, though they might be responsible individuals, people would not know until after a one-on-one conversation with them,” Joseph said.
“Though I do not think one should be portrayed by the way they look, everyone has a culture and African culture is not in support of it.”
However, Michael Okoye, a resident of Gwarinpa, said braiding hair for men is part of the African culture. He labelled the counter opinions on the issue as ‘hate’.
“I think male keeping their hair is part of our culture, our forefathers kept their hair so I do not get the hate on it by people of this present time. We cannot change that part our culture, cutting off one’s hair, to me, is slavery,” Okoye said.
“We are only mimicking the western culture by cutting our hair. Keeping or braiding my hair is my choice, our culture should accept it because it was once a part of us.”
One comment
Tyrell Speed
August 23, 2024 at 1:41 am
It’s bullshit to judge, label, or dictate the way how someone chooses to wear their hair.