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Here Are the Must-Try Hair Trends of the 1900s

Animating Old Photos of Igbo People

March 19, 2021 By: Adenike Cosgrove
Awka, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.30235.NWT

Lockdown fatigue has got us all wishing for our pre-COVID days. We’re tired, bored, stressed, and let’s be honest, lockdown has messed with our hair too. We’ve endured months of split–ends, overgrown roots, and home haircut failures.

At this point in the pandemic, everyone is craving a trip to their hairdressers and barbers.

Ifon, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.28432.NWT

Barbers, stylists and hairdressers, we salute you. A single session in your chairs transform our locks and our minds. Lockdown is still in effect for many of us but with this time, we can start planning our next haircut or style. But what style should we choose?

Okigwe, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.28333.NWT

During the height of the colonial period, anthropologists took thousands of pictures of men, women, and children, so-called “physical type” photographs. At the time, they reflected the racist views of the colonialists. Today, we re-humanise the sitters to show the versatility of black hair.

Sabongida, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.28333.NWT

With Deep Nostalgia, a new service from the genealogy site MyHeritage, we reanimate these old photographs to celebrate the beauty, power and expression of historical Igbo hairstyles. Get inspiration from the biggest hair trends in 1900 Igboland.

Utekon, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.28368.NWT
All photos by Northcote Whitridge Thomas, courtesy of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge unless otherwise indicated
Okigwe, Nigeria. 1880-1939. Photograph by J Stöcker, courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum. Af,B54.30

The Fauxhawk

Wear your braids in a central crest to celebrate getting married like Igbo women did in the 1900s.

Ibwariam, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.31994.NWT & P.31421.NWT

Maiden Spirit Realness

Arrange your hair in flat, braided, curvilinear patterns like those seen on agbogho mmwo helmet masks.

Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.31338.NWT
Edo, Nigeria. Circa 9 January 1909-16 April 1910. P.117633.NWT & P.117634.NWT

The Princess Bride

Got that money and want people to know it? Try this style that unmarried Igbo women wear to show their status. Tell your stylist to stretch and braid your hair over a cane structure to get this height. Coat with mud to set the style and add beads to make the crest shine.

Nigeria. Circa 1910. P.119168.NWT

The High Bun ‘Pin-Up’

Nigeria. Circa 1910. P.119332.NWT & P.119331.NWT

The Elegant Updo

Signal the birth of your first child with this elegant upswept do.

Onica Olona, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.32141.NWT & P.32142.NWT
Nigeria. Circa 1910. P.119607.NWT

The Coiled Pixie

Nigeria. 1880-1939. Photograph by J Stöcker, courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum. Af,B54.22

The Braid Flip

Nigeria. 1880-1939. Photograph by J Stöcker, courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum. Af,B54.24 & Af,B54.23

Fringe It Up

Frame your forehead with braided bangs in this elaborate domed style.

Awka, Nigeria. 1909-1913
P.30266.NWT
Nigeria. Circa 1910. P.119617.NWT

Spider Braids

Nigeria. Circa 2 November - ?1911; 18 July 1912-24 August 1913. P.118753.NWT & P.118752.NWT
Agukwu Nri, Nigeria. 1909-1913. P.119613.NWT & P.30869.NWT

The Feathered Cap

Wear an eagle feather in your hair to signify your high title. Eagle feathers are symbolic of insight, power, majesty, and the attainment of great heights.

Nigeria. Circa 1910
P.120246.NWT, P.120247.NWT, P.120245.NWT, P.120249.NWT, P.120248.NWT

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