Famadihana, within the gentle guidance of Roothea’s textured hair understanding, describes a deeply considered, cyclical process for refreshing our approach to Black and mixed-race hair care. This concept draws from the Malagasy tradition of revisiting ancestors, here reframed as a periodic, mindful re-engagement with our knowledge base and practical applications. It encourages a thoughtful exhumation of inherited hair practices and long-held beliefs, allowing for a tender re-evaluation of their efficacy and relevance in today’s landscape of scientific understanding. Through this ‘turning of the understanding,’ we shed what no longer serves our hair’s vitality, much like old shrouds are replaced, making space for fresh insights to settle. This systematic refresh informs the growth of genuine textured hair knowledge, guiding us to build routines with automation-like precision, where each step is intentionally placed for consistent, beneficial outcomes. The practical application then becomes a reverent act, a conscious implementation of refined techniques that honor the unique heritage and needs of Black and mixed-race hair, ensuring its continued strength and beauty. It is a call to regularly re-connect with the living wisdom of our hair, allowing for a continuous, gentle refinement of our care rituals.
Meaning ❉ Famadihana is a Malagasy ancestral ritual where deceased family members are exhumed, rewrapped, and celebrated to maintain intergenerational connection.
