Meaning ❉ Wooden Headrests, often carved with gentle artistry, served as ancient sleeping supports, particularly within African and diasporic cultures, providing a thoughtful solution for safeguarding elaborate hairstyles and the distinct formations of textured hair during slumber. This practice speaks to an early comprehension of hair’s structural needs, demonstrating a proactive approach to preservation long before modern care systems were conceived. Such implements represent a foundational method of systematizing hair care, minimizing daily restyling and maintaining the delicate architecture of coily and curly strands. They allowed for the careful upkeep of hair, reducing physical contact with sleeping surfaces. The principle of protecting hair during periods of rest, so central to these historical objects, continues to inform contemporary nighttime routines for Black and mixed-race hair, gently upholding hair health and reducing the need for constant manipulation, ensuring strands remain beautifully composed.
