Braids Take Over: Are Gen Z Men Redefining Masculinity or Just Following a Trend?

In recent times, the world of men’s fashion and grooming in Nigeria has undergone a noticeable transformation, with hair braiding becoming a prominent style choice for younger males.

Previously considered a feminine fashion choice, braided hairstyles are now reshaping perceptions of masculinity on Nigerian streets.

This practice has since developed into a means of cultural expression, artistic display, and individual identity for certain young males within the nation.

This increasing phenomenon goes beyond mere style; it questions cultural stereotypes, ignites discussions around gender norms, and indicates a larger transformation in how young Nigerian men perceive themselves and their identities.

Discussing this tendency, participants highlighted various elements driving the shift amongst younger males within the community.

Mr. Chinemerem Ndinojue, who has a passion for youth culture and fashion, stated that hair serves as a profound individual manifestation of one’s identity.

To my mind, hair extends one’s personality; in African history, braids served as more than just style—they were signs of resistance, identity, and even means of communication during the time of slavery.

Ndinojue contended that contemporary young individuals, especially those from Generation Z, adopt braids and various hairdos as expressions of their originality and to distinguish themselves within sectors such as fashion and entertainment.

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“Many of us are passionate about music, design, and content creation, and our appearance plays a role in defining our personal brand; back in the day, our parents embraced Afro hairstyles. This is just an updated version of that self-expression for today’s times; one shouldn’t assess someone’s character based solely on their hairdo,” he stated.

Nevertheless, Mr Michael Samson, who works as a civil servant, views this tendency differently, characterizing it as a deviation from African traditions and a result of incorrect Western influences.

Our customs have been overshadowed by contemporary civilization; many of these young men are not public figures; nonetheless, they invest large sums in hairstyles that serve no practical function. Even more troubling, some utilize their appearances to mask dishonest deeds.

He mentioned an event at a bank where a teenager, accused of participating in online scams, reportedly said they made more money in one month than an elder person did throughout their life.

He stated that such riches devoid of worth contribute to this sense of superiority; numerous individuals adopt these styles merely to attract notice rather than from a place of expertise.

Reflecting similar views, Ms. Blessing John, a government employee, stated that male hair braiding goes against cultural and moral values.

For me, this is not uplifting; as Africans, we have robust cultural values; within our traditions, men typically do not braid their hair; similarly, in professional environments like medicine, law, and engineering, these styles are uncommon; there’s a rationale behind this.

She cautioned that numerous young men who wear braids might be implicated in social problems like substance abuse and cult activities.

“We require a shift in values; parents should return to guiding their children onto the correct path; we must remember our origins,” she stated.

In the meantime, Mrs. Ijeoma Azubuike-Okigbo, who works in communications, provided a more intricate perspective.

Although she had personal concerns about men wearing braids, she recognized the increasing impact of popular culture.

“Yououng individuals nowadays admire figures such as VeryDarkMan, along with others who style their hair in braids yet continue to earn respect. Should this be broadly accepted by society, it could eventually integrate into our developing cultural landscape,” she stated.

She mentioned that numerous parents went as far as bringing their young sons to salons for hair braiding, indicating that the trend was already becoming popular among families.

“Fundamentally, hair is natural, but how someone decides to style it is a matter of personal choice; as society evolves, this could be seen as part of that transformation,” she stated.

Mr. Toks Adesanya, a respected member of the community, voiced his firm opposition to the increasing popularity of hair braids and dreadlocks among young Nigerian men, labeling these styles as “forbidden” and a departure from traditional customs.

Adesanya expressed concern over the decline of African values and the change in conventional notions of masculinity.

He contended that men’s hair braiding was not just foreign to their culture but also indicative of broader social disintegration.

It is forbidden for a man to plait his hair; whenever I encounter a boy or a man engaging in such practices, I view it as a dishonor and a departure from our customs.

These hairdos are not just against cultural norms but can lead to unwarranted scrutiny of young men by police.

Thank goodness, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police is now defunct; numerous young men might have become victims as this look makes them more susceptible to being targeted; law enforcement frequently links such appearances to cybercrimes or cult activities.

Adesanya remembered an incident from his teenage years when he temporarily permed his hair for a party but was strongly criticized by a relative as a result.

I experienced acceptance at the gathering, however, upon returning home, a relative voiced strong disapproval; they mentioned I had dishonored my masculinity; this made me feel embarrassed, and as a result, I took out the curls the following day.

He likewise linked the tendency to subpar upbringing, environmental factors, as well as insufficient spiritual and social direction.

Our society now fails to curb excessive behavior; parents are often not around, churches and mosques remain quiet, and this silence is interpreted as consent.

“During job interviews, appearance plays a significant role; a man sporting braids or dreadlocks might not be perceived as seriously if he chooses to attend an interview with his hair styled that way,” he stated.

Recently, Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has prohibited the wearing of dreadlocks along with other measures as a response to the increasing insecurity within the region.

Before ordering security personnel to crack down on criminals and their accomplices who were disturbing public tranquility in Minna, the state capital where violence had turned into an everyday affair.

He ordered the detention of individuals with dreadlocks after terrified residents of Minna repeatedly called for action to address the escalating violence that had resulted in numerous deaths among innocent citizens.

The governor stated that criminals had transformed the streets of Minna into a battlefield after assuming control of the state.

The ongoing discussion raises the query: Is male hair braiding in Nigeria a sign of waning traditional values or a celebration of contemporary self-expression?

Original Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
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Initial Reference: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
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