Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Iconic Black Hairstyle Photographer

Legendary Black Hairstyle Photographer

Black hair photographer Ojeikere was an internationally celebrated African black hair photographer.






The natural hair revolution began with the legendary black hairstyle photographer Johnson Donatus Aihumekeokhai Ojeikere also known as J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere born in Nigeria Africa in 1930. 


Natural hair revolutionists power of black women began with African legendary black hairstyle photographer 'Okhai Ojeikere. He highlighted modern and traditional African perspectives of the art of hair design. Each African hairstyle had its own uniqueness giving a glimpse into the talented camera of a legendary Nigerian photographer. 


Ojeikere was a black hair photographer who is known for his work with unique hairstyles found in Nigeria. Ojeikere was raised in a small town in rural southwestern Nigeria.

The unique artistry of African hair has a long storied tradition
He lived and worked in Lagos, Nigeria. At the age of nineteen, JD Okhai Ojeikere buys a modest camera from a neighbor who taught him the basics of photography. His talent was noticed by the West Africa Publicity for which he worked full-time from 1963 to 1975 when he set up his studio "Foto Ojeikere." 

JD Okhai Ojeikere began working on his Hairstyle series in the late 1960s after he joined the Nigerian Arts Council and began documenting the country's culture. Forty years, he continued across Nigeria photographing hairstyles. Ojeikere photography of hairstyles of Nigerian women in everyday life, on the street, in the office, at parties leaves a heritage of anthropological, ethnographic and documentary legacy.  

For Ojeikere, this was a never-ending project as hairstyles evolve with fashion: "All thesis hairstyles are ephemeral. I want my photographs to be noteworthy traces of Nigeria. I always wanted to record times of beauty, knowledge of times. Art is life. Without art, life would be frozen."


This iconic photographer passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2014.




More Articles to Read ♛♛♛

Show more

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

May the Devil Take Yours Bones: Curses in Tanzania

Image
To ward off curses, witchcraft and evil spirits, the use of protective symbols such as wearing or hanging a talisman called Gurudumu is common practice. In Tanzania, witchcraft superstitions are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs and traditions. Witchcraft superstitions such as albino witchcraft and curses are powerful beliefs throughout certain parts of Tanzania. A talisman called Gurudumu. Albino Curses and Witchcraft in Tanzania. There is a strong belief in the existence of albino witches who are thought to possess magical powers. This belief has unfortunately led to the persecution and violence against albinos, as some people seek their body parts for use in witchcraft rituals. Some traditional beliefs and superstitions associate albinism with supernatural or magical powers. This misconception fuels the demand for albino body parts, as they are believed to possess mystical properties that can bring wealth, success, or protection from harm. In certain communities, there is a bel
Read the Article

Top Dog Breed in Africa the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Image
History and enduring popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a remarkable African breed of dog. Learn about the Rhodesian Ridgeback origins in southern Africa to its rise in prominence among European settlers in Rhodesia, this unique canine possesses a captivating blend of courage, strength, and loyalty. Discover why the Rhodesian Ridgeback has become a beloved companion and versatile working dog, both in its native Africa and around the world. Uncover the secrets behind its distinctive ridge and the traits that have made it a sought-after breed, ensuring its enduring popularity. Rhodesian Ridgeback The captivating history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a true symbol of African heritage and excellence. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a distinctive breed of dog that originated in southern Africa, particularly in what is now known as Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). The history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dates back several centuries and is intertwined with the exploration, colonization, and develop
Read the Article

Kibo the Old Chimpanzee

Image
The story of Kibo the Old Chimpanzee highlights the valuable lesson that wisdom and knowledge can continue to develop as we age.  Just like the old chimpanzee, Kibo, who demonstrated enhanced problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, and behavioral flexibility, the story reminds us that life experiences and accumulated knowledge can contribute to continued growth and learning. It emphasizes the importance of valuing and seeking wisdom from older we who have valuable insights to offer. Kibo the Old Chimpanzee Story of Wisdom Growing with Age. Once in a forgotten time in a chimpanzee sanctuary, there lived an old male chimpanzee named Kibo. Kibo had spent most of his life in the sanctuary, rescued from a difficult past. He had seen his share of hardships, but his age had only brought wisdom and a remarkable ability to adapt and learn. As Kibo grew older, his companions noticed a change in his behavior. He became the go-to chimpanzee whenever a complex problem arose. Whether it w
Read the Article

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

Image
How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali and
Read the Article