Abstract
Previous research, while limited in scope, has been instrumental in highlighting the unique experiences and relationships Black women have with their hair. This research often highlights the influence of Euro American beauty standards and negative experiences associated with concepts of ‘bad hair’ and ‘good hair.’ However, very few studies have attempted to investigate non-Euro American perspectives on Black women and their hair. To address this gap, I interviewed five Ugandan Black and mixed-race Black women using qualitative narrative analysis methods. While each participant shared distinct narratives in their interviews, their accounts are also found to be interconnected. Particularly, narratives collectively revealed a shared theme of internalised oppressive beliefs, including preferences for straight and long hair indicative of Euro American beauty standards. Additionally, participants consistently noted the lack of adequate media representation for hair types common among Ugandan women. Overall, this study contributes to the expanding body of literature on Black women and their hair by focusing on Ugandan women and capturing lived experiences that are more representative of Black women globally. Notably, this study sheds light on the influence of Uganda’s colonial history on prevailing beauty standards among women in the country.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call