Natural Hair Journey
So far, It is just my Afro! I haven’t had a relaxer in my year since December 2004. That seems like years ago.I didn’t do the big chop but in ways I wish like I did because my hair just feels stagnant even though it is growing. Letting the relaxer break off itself just makes the journey longer. If I went back in time, I would have chopped them off. My reason to go natural was just…it felt right. And I think that is the key thing. Not all black girls have to be naturals and the ones who don’t want to be, that is good for them because at the end of the day, we just have to learn to love our hair the best way we see fit.
I have my weak days when I don’t feel accepted and I just want to run back to pick-and-drop braids. Then, I remember how happy as a natural and I just hope I can continue to fight the days when I am struggling with people’s stares and disdain.
I have seen how people react differently to natural hair: it has shocked me at times and pleased me at other times. Is hair such a big deal? Yes. Judging from how some people feel the need to disparage you, it is. Yet for me, it isn’t about trying to be original. I have just realised that I prefer myself with natural hair.
I think the assimilated part of me is scared to be braidless and afro-enriched around loads of black people whether that is in Tanzania or elsewhere. Is it because I am fearful of black people’s opinion? I have to admit…I am. This infuriates me because it just shows how I have let other black people condition me. What are your thoughts?
My next aim is a successful bouncy twist-out so stay tuned for the pictures 
but just look at Ms.Rimshot’s beautiful Afro. It is magnificent ! Just looking at that makes me want to continue to be strong and walk down the natural path.
February 10, 2007 at 4:04 pm
in me and my afro 2 u actually look like a really cool model in some photo shoot NO kidding
February 10, 2007 at 8:33 pm
c-c, you are so sweet! tania took the pictures so if i ever even got to that stage, i’d make her my photographer lol
how are u doing neway?
February 14, 2007 at 7:13 am
gorgeous!
February 20, 2007 at 11:01 pm
you look amazing in those photos! especially in the 3rd one….a model some may say! hehe
February 22, 2007 at 5:16 pm
wow you & your hair look lovely
May 2, 2007 at 6:51 pm
i love erykah badu…LOVE HER…
anyways im beginning my journey towards discovering my natural hair as well (i already anticipate a few hostile family members coming after me)…i am very “fair-skinned” and i think i am the only one in my family to purposely stop relaxing her hair…*sigh*
wish me luck…
June 30, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I am very old skool. I get it washed and pressed. Every now and again I do get my hair naturally braided, but for the most part I want to keep it natural but have no idea about styles. To wear an afro is not in the cards.
Yet you look wonderful. I love the color of your hair. Maybe it’s the lighting from taking the photo but your hair looks so healthy and shiny. I LOVE IT! Keep it up.
June 30, 2007 at 2:50 pm
deepnwords — thank you for the compliment
have you ever worn an afro? i am desperate to get it naturally braided but for some reason, it just does not look like the way i want it to!!
July 7, 2007 at 4:06 pm
I think growin out the perm is a real sign of self groth and liberation good for you!
August 5, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Hey
I was surfing the web and i saw this site, pretty cool.
Currently im running and adult site:Reachton
k, just want to say hi
Can i link you from my site? im looking for quality content like yours. If no let me know if i can add u in exchange for a montly fee or something.
August 7, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I grew my hair out a year ago..it was a hard journey, but the best and easiest decision i ever made..
I really do feel free of having to risk the burn of relaxer creme in contact with my then fragile and irritated scalp,plus the constant treatments and lotions i wud use to compensate the loss in quality to my hairs strength thanx to the relaxer..
Im not gonna lie and say i wasnt a struggle at first, especially dealing with the after effects of humidity etc..but really, i feel like i wasnt really me untill i took that step…i would never go back now!!
August 10, 2007 at 11:53 pm
What a gorgeous afro. My journey has been five years and I’m still loving my natural hair. Wish I had done it sooner.
August 29, 2007 at 5:39 am
I have been natural for four years. I love the texture of my hair, and too at times I feel as though other black women judge me by my natural hair. ( Can’t knock it if you don’t try it!!)
September 11, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Wow!! You are a gorgeous woman.
September 14, 2007 at 7:48 pm
thank you for all your lovely thoughts everyone! i will update it more soon
September 14, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Lovely afro indeed.
I never wanted to relaxed my hair. I was forced. I did it twice I think then I fight back and I let my hair natural. I cut them at some stage as they where becoming too long. I tried some dread locks and then when back to Natural. That the way I like them. I just don’t care about negative comments. Now 2 of my sisters are back to Natural hair and they loved it and find it actually easier to deal with.
If you feel like changing yiu can use a hot iron to straight them. As soon as you want your curl back whash your hair. however do not do it too often.
Keep your curls.
October 28, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I really want an afro…but I don’t know how I would get one
November 29, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Aulelia
I couldn’t find an e-mail for you on this site so I gotta leave a comment. Didn’t have time to look through my site for the email. Hope you’re well today.
I came across something a moment ago. I have not really looked through the site cuz I’m very busy. But at first glance, I thought of you. It’s something about natural hair.
http://www.naturalnaps.blogspot.com/
have a good day, sis.
November 29, 2007 at 5:39 pm
baby please, thanks for that beautiful link. my e-mail is kt4208@bris.ac.uk
January 3, 2008 at 7:11 pm
the best thing we can do for our hair is embrace it - i absolutely LOVE being natural!
January 13, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I love my natural hair. I am sporting a big afro and am happy. I am also looking for some natural black hairstyles to style my hair.
January 22, 2008 at 1:09 am
Ditto likemet!
I cut off a below-shoulder length perm in 2001 down to a 2-inch afro–and have never looked back. My hair is now healthier than ever, and mid-back when stretched. My Afro flops now, but still is quite grand (smile). I will never perm again! Wear your fro with pride, Aulelia!
February 21, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Shikamo mpenzi,
I’m an East African daughter of expatriates like you and just reading your blog, I see we have so much in common.
My hair’s natural too, and has been for almost a decade now (I have a bright red afro). When I came to my present job (I live in the U.S.) white folks here couldn’t take it. My black boss who’s a wonderful woman told me they were ‘afraid’ because I looked ‘too threatening’.
But you know, mimi ni Mwafrika
Love to you.
February 22, 2008 at 1:56 am
Damn girl! You are a beauty to behold.
February 22, 2008 at 4:52 pm
@Sweets: Karibu! It is great to hear from a fellow east a. are you from tz, kenya or ug ?
@Brigitte: thank you brigitte for that kind compliment!
February 22, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Aulelia,
I’m a true mix: Oromo + Kikuyu on Mom’s side, Maasai + Kuria on Dad’s. But I don’t consider myself ‘Kenyan’. Just East African……..
Tutazidi kuongea
Be blessed.
March 13, 2008 at 12:31 am
@ Aulelia you like fine O. you look slim. damn UK food taste’s good oh lol!
@sweets welcome to the club of africans blended with africans, i consider myself just african, i am not supposed to choose, i refuse to do so
March 17, 2008 at 2:55 pm
you go girl…. i had a natural hair since grade 8 in 2003 until last year august when my mom cut my hair in my sleep but because of my passion for natural hair i am starting it all over again ….. truelly and proudly african…
May 5, 2008 at 2:41 am
added you to my blogroll!
i’ve been natural for 7 years.
check out my fotki chronicling the past four
fotki.com/allienicole
and
fotki.com/allienicole2
May 15, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Natural-but groomed is the best condition for all of the creation!
May 16, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Oh, oh, oh, it’s BEAUTIFUL!
May 17, 2008 at 8:12 am
thank you all for your comments
May 29, 2008 at 3:36 pm
The last 2 pictures are of Lauryn Hill. Why didn’t you correct them? Are you trying to pretend to be Lauryn Hill?
May 29, 2008 at 6:30 pm
@afromania, if you actually read the post, you will see three hyperlinks called “me and my afro” in numerical order. they are the ones with pix of me and my natural hair.
the lauryn hill and erykah badu images are put there to highlight how pretty natural hair is…please read before you even dream of commenting.
June 14, 2008 at 11:03 pm
@afromania;; tut tut, why would she be frontin?! she’s too damn pretty to be frontin girl!! get it right!! gir i adore ur hair, mine in utter rubbish.lol. take care anyways.x keep rockin dat afro girl!!