IT'S JUST HAIR?

One day in March 2024, I became a loc-y girl.

<chokes with laughter a little because loc-y as in lucky, get it?>.

Like, I got locs so I became loc-y 

<laughs again and slaps table>.

Okay, okay I'll behave now. I was trying to be humourous. You must have at least chuckled a bit and rolled your eyes a little <you diddd, I saw you>

So yeah as I was saying before I was interrupted by my charming funniness, 

I got my hair loc'd in March 2024! 

...and it has been such a journey?

Since then, I have received many questions and comments regarding my hair from all over the world.

<er, okay slight exaggeration¿> and today I will be adressing them one after the other because I love you all and I don't want you to remain in the dark.

1. Did you loc your hair?

— curious member of society.

The question is often preceeded by squinting of eyes and tilting of neck towards my direction and succeded by outstretching of fingers for proper further examination. I will be answering this question with solemnity and humility. 

Yes, I did it. I did itttttt. Ara Adugbo I loc'd my hair oooooo. You do not have to touch my hair to confirm <except if you ask if you can and I say that you can, after which you can touch it lovingly>.

2. Ah, how long now?

—same curious member of society from earlier.

Since March last year.

3. I heard it is very painful. Does it not pain you?

—curious member of society concerned about pain.

Hmm except I'm styling immediately after a re-loc, it does not. Also helps a whole lot when I style it while it is wet.

4. Sometimes I want to loc my hair but I'm scared of how permanent it is. So if you want to change hairstyle, you'll have to shave your head?

—curious member of society concerned about the future of my hair.

Uhmm I heard you can "un-loc" your hair but I'm not sure and even if I had to shave my head, it's just hair?? I don't think I'll mind. It will grow back out.

I don't think it is anything to be scared about. It is just hair.

5. Hmm this locs, so you have joined bad gang. I used to think you were a good girl.

—member of society thinking out loud.

I'm still the person I was before just with different hair? How do locs make anybody a bad person?Anyway, I can't help what you choose to think. Plus, I have always been a baddie wymmm?

6. What if your parents find out you loc'd your hair?

—curious member of society concerned about my parents, awwwn.

Who do you think paid for the hair in the first place please??? They are already fully aware. Thank you for your concern.

7. I don't like this dre*d locs. It makes people look older than their age.

—uncouth member of society that walked into salon while I was getting a re-loc.

That's why the hair is on my head, not on your head nauu babyyyyy. Me, I like it.

8. How do you maintain your locs on a day-to-day basis?

—curious member of society concerned about maintainance.

I'm not the best person to ask about maintainance because I loc'd my hair so that I won't have to worry about day to day maintenance.

I try to wet the hair everyday and use moisturiser.

9. Do you think I should loc my hair too?

—member of society that trusts me with decisions concerning their hair.

Yesssssss! Do it so that we'll twin !!

10. Do you ever regret getting your hair loc'd?

—curious member of society concerned about my regrets.

Not really, no. I miss being able to do certain hairstyles sometimes but ultimately I don't.

11. What is your favourite thing about your hair?

—curious member of society wondering about my faves.

I love that I can run my fingers through my hair very easily and my lovers can do same (*wink *wink).

I love that I don't have to comb my hair. I love that I don't have to get my hair done as often as I previously would have. I love that I can explore and experiment new styles. I love how locs create avenues for great conversation starters and conversations in general. I love it all.

12. Don't you want to get married? Men don't usually like this type of hair.

—curious member of society concerned about my conjugal affiliation(s) in the future.

God Forbid I don't do whatever I want to do because, "men don't usually like it". My ancestors that survived multiple pandemics, famine and wars to make sure my bloodline continued would be so offended. I don't think repressing parts of yourself or your desires to posture for marriage is healthy at all because I mean, how many shapes will you contort yourself into to fit into what other people like before you wear yourself out?

I look forward to being partnered up with a person that likes me and likes my hair...Bonus points if they are loc'd too. Extra bonus points if they are 5'11+, dark skinned, named Tega Ethan etc etc

<if you fit into the criteria, text me bae. *wink>.

Author's note:

Thank you for coming to my self inflicted press release. I love my hair and I might have made it my whole personality. 

Read that locs used to be a common hairstyle in pre-colonial Africa and British colonizers viewed it as well as other African hairstyles at the time as “uncivilized” and pushed European standards of grooming (low cuts, relaxed hair) as the mark of a “civilized Christian" leading to the internalized bias that still lingers today.

For some reason<I blame Nollywood>, a lot of people associate the style with bad influence, drug use, cultism, witchcraft, fraud etc too.

I think it is interesting how something as inconsequential as a hairstyle can attract the most ridiculous profiling and it's awesome that more than ever more people are being open to educating themselves and unlearning biases.

I hope you do whatever the hell you want to do with your hair regardless.

I think I have yapped enough. 

Anything you want me to know??

Tell me in the commmentsss.

Also, please share?

Oh and remember, if you are a loc'd 5'11+, dark skinned, fine virtuous man, maybe called Tega, maybe makes music, textttt meee.

Okay dazzol.

Thank you, see you, byeeee.