Explore features from the magazine on Black art in the Kansas City region.
Artist Pages, July/Aug 2019
The Art of Black Hair Braiding
In ancient Africa, styles and patterns of braids were used to indicate social status. Braided hairstyles were a part of religious life in Egypt. During slavery, maps leading to freedom were often braided into the hair. The legacy of Black hair braiding is not just style, but also one of cultural pride and activism.