When Nigerian Emmanuela Ohueri came to Kuching, Sarawak to study, she was flooded with requests to do the African hairstyles on the locals.
So, you’re game for African culture?
The African culture is fascinating. Many a time, it seeps into the locals in Malaysia. Aside from food, the common African culture that we see locally here is the unique hairstyles — braids, cornrows and dreadlocks.
Speaking on the significance of these hairstyles within the African community, Nigerian Emmanuela Ohueri says the culture stemmed from the texture of their hair.
“Our hair is not silky or straight like that of the locals in Malaysia. It shrinks and tangles due to the texture too,” says the Computer Science and Information Technology degree student.
Elaborating further, she says the hairstyles are also known as protective hairstyles.
“By braiding, we do not have to always wash and comb our hair every day. Washing and combing are what stress us out due to the hair texture. Regular washing and combing may cause hair fall.
Hence, braids become a better option because they reduce the stress of regular combing and at the same time protect our hair.”
When she braids her hair, Emmanuela washes the roots every once a week. The hairstyle can last her two months before it gets messy. As she studies in Kuching, Sarawak, she also does the local’s hair as a part-time job here. “And due to the texture of the local hair, their braids usually last up to three weeks before they become frizzy.”
The 33-year-old learned to do braids, cornrows and dreadlocks since she was young. “Most girls in Africa can do the hairstyles. I have been doing it since I was a teenager. In Nigeria, you can make it for your cousins, sisters and friends. A mother would do for her daughter, and the daughter would do it for her mother.”
According to Emmanuela, the braiding culture has been practised in the continent for as long as she could remember. “Growing up, it is easy to pick up the skill without going for training or certifications. You literally see everyone doing it there. I learned from my cousins as I watched them braiding since I was young.”
The process of braiding on Asians
The tedious process of braiding the African hairstyles onto locals also includes inserting hair extensions onto locals, says Emmanuela. According to her, without these hair extensions which mimick African hair texture, she is unable to braid cornrows or dreadlocks on the Asian hair.
“The hair extensions that I have are not the normal ones. They are made of synthetic fibres and have a texture similar to African hair. They are quite rough, and not soft or silky,” she explains, adding that without the extensions, braiding on Asian hair will only last a couple of days.
So, can Asians born with curly hair do these braid styles without a rubber band at the tip of the hair?
Explains Emmanuela, “I’ve tried on different Asian hair textures, and all of them are still too soft to self-lock, so I usually need a rubber band at the tip of the hair, to lock the hair if the client do not use hair extensions.”
Emmanuela says once a client has chosen his or her choice, she will arrange it in a particular form.
“Then the braiding process begins. Once done, then I will dip the end of the hair extension into hot water as it helps the extension to soften. This will also ensure it blends with the client’s hair.”
African hairstyles in Kuching, Sarawak
Having stayed in Kuching for her studies, Emmanuela had never thought that she end up becoming a part-time hairstylist, specialising in braiding, cornrows and dreadlocks. When she started her studies, she kept getting requests from her schoolmates to do braids for them.
“It was in mid-2019 that I decided to do it part-time. From my first braid on the locals here, I kept receiving recommendations and clients through word of mouth,” she adds.
Emmanuela says she only braids one client’s hair a day. “The whole process consumes much time, energy, and stress. It is not an easy job. That is why most Africans just do it once in a while.”
Braiding can take up to four hours depending on the length of the braids.
“The longer the braids, the longer time it takes. The fastest to finish takes around three hours.
Braids, cornrows, and dreadlocks require strength and patience as I will be standing up, while the client is sitting down,” she says.
Nonetheless, Emmanuela who regularly updates on the hairstyles on her social media — Facebook (Ella’s Beaute World) and Instagram (@ellabraidingservices) — is passionate about braiding hair.
“I still continue doing it despite the challenges. Beauty is my passion, it is something I am good at. I love doing it for the end results, and it makes me feel good especially when people love it, and admire it.
“What’s worth doing is worth doing well, and nothing good comes easy.”
To her, she has learned to dismiss the long hours it takes to finish the job. “Rather, I focus on appreciating the end results.”
