The importance of hair is a topic that has become synonymous with women. Long, short, natural, relaxed, coloured or store-bought… By now, we have all become accustomed to how important hair is to women. What we rarely ever do though is think about/discuss men’s relationship with hair. Is it because we assume that they don’t share the same affinity for it as women?
Essentially, men have just as many options as women do when it comes to hairstyles. Each of them share just as much meaning as the style choices that women make. Long, luxurious locks that fall to a woman’s waist carry the same amount of significance as a clean-shaven chiskop. In both cases, a choice was made based on that individual’s reasoning.
From the Hi-Top Fade to the Mohawk to a simple Brush Cut, the following men had this to say about their hairstyle of choice:
“As an African man, for me it goes beyond this Western culture… our perspective on hair is very Westernized. For me this is my crown and I wear it with pride.”
“My hair doesn’t define who I am. If it did i would have cut it a long time ago.”
“My hair suits who I am, its about style more than anything.”
“Chiskop is comfortable and easy to maintain.”
“My hair defines me as an artist. It’s street culture mixed with personality”
“My beard for me is like an accessory, it doesn’t define me in any way”
Photography – Nqobile Mkhonza / Neo Mahame / Bongani Mokhine
Design – Thato Mongale / Karabo Mashele
