The head wrap was embraced and celebrated for its cultural significance, reclaiming the power former slave owners so brutally took from the people they enslaved.Īsking this question of yourself is half the battle. In the 1960s and 70s, the head wrap was embraced as part of the Black Power uniform, worn as a sign of rebellion. They used them to communicate with one another, covertly hiding secret messages in the folds of their head wraps. Eventually, in certain parts of the American South, legislation was enacted to make it illegal for enslaved women to wear their hair in any way other than bound up in a head wrap.Īt the time, Black women managed to turn their head wraps into tools for liberation. White slave masters used head wraps as a symbol of ownership and oppression. Yet, while first worn proudly by Black, indigenous, people of color, soon enough the head wrap was co-opted for a far more sinister use in the slave trade. But they've also been a sign of oppression, racism, and hate.įor many African women, head wraps were first used as part of their traditional dress. They've been celebrated, used as a symbol of freedom, and as a staple in wardrobes across the world. Thankfully, this brutal punishment is no longer the rule, but the head wrap still carries a lot of the same cultural weight.įor Black, indigenous, people of color, head wraps have a long and complicated history. In fact, doing so could even result in penalty of death. In the time of the Assyrians, wives were made to wear a scarf or veil, while prostitutes, enslaved people, and lower-class women were completely forbidden from wearing a scarf, veil or head wrap. Head wraps, scarves and veils have been used throughout all of history to indicate social or religious status. It can be cultural symbol with deep-rooted connotations. It’s clear that a head wrap is often so much more than a fashion choice. In this society, the head wrap was an indicator of a woman’s social status and eligibility for marriage. This first mention of wearing a head wrap can be found in an ancient Assyrian legal document. It’s likely head wraps were used long before any known documentation, but as far as we know, now, the first recorded use of head wraps can be traced all the way back to the 13th century.
Head wrap scarf how to#
Before diving into how to wear a head wrap, it's important to know the historical origins and roots of this clothing item.
Head wrap scarf full#
Together, with the knowledge in this guide, we can make sure our hair looks great without offending or disrespecting anyone.Īs with most anything, the best route to a full understanding starts at the beginning. If you have head wraps, it's important to know when it is appropriate to wear them and how they can be used. Historically, we’d say, throw on a head wrap!īut despite it’s benefits as a beautiful hair accessory, that’s been around for thousands of years, it can be appropriative and insensitive to wear certain styles when you aren’t part of the culture, religion, or race in which or by whom the head wraps were brought into being.
We all have those days when our hair just is not working for us, it can’t be tamed, or we just really don’t have the time or desire to style it. Read this article and become better informed.
Women's head wraps have symbolic value in culture throughout the world, including how they should be worn. Head Wraps and Culture: What You Need to Understand
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