5 Things: Women take the COVID-19 Lockdown by the Locks

"Take a walk or drive through Lagos, Nigeria and you will notice one thing: women's hairstyles have gone back, way back, in time!"

Image Credit: Canva

African women are taking on COVID-19 just fine! In this post, Aniwura Omolayo takes us through the hairdos that have lasted as long as the pandemic!

AUDIO VERSION: Listen here. This is a 3-minute post, I promise.

Gone are the wigs. For real!

Who knew it would take 2020 to make it happen?

Lade, Nma or Aisha will most likely be spotting one of these 5 hairstyles:

1. All-Back: This one is a classic! The All-Back is a flat weave done in vertical lines. It starts in front and goes all the way to the back.
2. Sade Adu: This is a twist on the All-Back hairdo and yes, it is named after soul singer, Helen Folasade Adu. This time, the flat weave ends somewhere in the middle and then the rest is done in single braids. Look out for our Friday Special on Sade soon! 
3. Short braids: The last time this hairdo made a hit was 1989 when a Nigerian footballer, Samuel Okwaraji, died during the Nigeria World Cup qualifying match against Angola. The 10/12/14-inch single braids look amazing with fringes or nay. Yes, there will definitely be a post on Okwaraji soon!
4. Long braids: These single braids can be as long as 20 inches. We're talking mammywater things. Women have thrown caution to the wind by incorporating the most gorgeous colours you have never seen. Sunshine gold, carrot pink, blood red and even earth brown. Colour me coloured, okurrr!
5. Threads: Need I say more? Women in Sub-Saharan Africa have been threading their hair for as long as anyone can remember. The Yorubas in western Nigeria call it Kiko. Think of it as a cocoon. It keeps the hair clean plus you can add lots of inches. And many have sworn by its lengthening and softening power! 

What other hair locks have you spotted during the 2020 lockdown? Do share photos of these retro styles and others with me. I'll be waiting on pins and needles, strike that... weaves and threads!

This post was written by Aniwura Omolayo.