# Biocolonialism ❉ Term

**Published:** 2025-06-05
**Author:** Roothea
**Categories:** Term

---

![The dark interior of the pot invites reflection on unrevealed ancestral hair secrets and wellness wisdom, while the textured exterior evokes resilience, suggesting a repository of holistic knowledge and hair rituals passed down through generations, vital to nurturing hair](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-still-life-of-heritage-pot-symbolizing-ancestral-hair-wellness.jpg)

![Hands intertwined, an elder passes ancestral skills weaving intricate patterns, textured with the rich history of indigenous knowledge. A potent image reflecting dedication to cultural continuity, holistic care, and the preservation of ancestral practices including natural hair maintenance techniques](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/generational-weaving-an-elders-hands-instructing-younger-hands-on-indigenous.jpg)

## Fundamentals

In exploring the profound tapestry of Black and [mixed-race hair](/area/mixed-race-hair/) heritage, we arrive at a concept that, while often unspoken in daily conversations about conditioners and coils, holds immense weight: **Biocolonialism**. At its simplest, this term signifies the exertion of control, appropriation, or dominance over living organisms, their biological components, and the wisdom systems associated with them, frequently for commercial or scientific gain. It echoes a past where powerful entities, often hailing from nations historically engaged in colonial expansion, sought to claim resources and knowledge without true reciprocity or recognition of those who nurtured them. 

The notion of [biocolonialism](/area/biocolonialism/) is not merely an abstract academic construct. It reverberates within the lived experiences of communities whose ancestral lands and [traditional remedies](/area/traditional-remedies/) have been viewed as raw material for extraction rather than sacred inheritance. The concept highlights a continuation of power imbalances, now manifested through claims over biological assets and the indigenous ways of understanding them. It speaks to a form of neocolonialism, where direct political rule gives way to control exercised through biological means. 

> Biocolonialism unfolds as the claiming of life itself and ancestral wisdom, frequently transforming communal heritage into private gain.

![This evocative portrait celebrates the artistry of African diasporic hairstyling, showcasing intricate braided patterns and coiled formations that echo ancestral heritage. The neutral backdrop allows viewers to deeply contemplate the beauty, resilience, and cultural significance embodied in this expression of Black identity](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-woman-displaying-intricate-braided-hairstyle-and-cultural.jpg)

## The Root of Dispossession

Consider the gentle sway of a medicinal plant, its leaves steeped in generational knowledge, its properties understood through centuries of observation. Biocolonialism steps into this scene, identifying the plant’s compounds, isolating them, and then, without proper consent or compensation, patenting these discoveries. Such actions divest the originating communities of their rightful stewardship and the economic benefits that should flow from their inherited wisdom.

This pattern extends beyond the plant kingdom, reaching into the very biological fabric of human communities, including genetic information. The fundamental understanding of this process is essential to appreciating its deep resonance within hair heritage.

The heart of this dispossession lies in a fundamental disregard for communal ownership and the sacredness of traditional knowledge. Western [intellectual property](/area/intellectual-property/) systems, with their emphasis on individual authorship and novelty, often struggle to accommodate or outright reject the collective, intergenerational nature of indigenous wisdom. This mismatch creates a fertile ground for exploitation, allowing external entities to commercialize practices and resources that have sustained communities for generations without acknowledging the source. 

![In the quiet of a rainfall, the woman](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/woman-pours-seeds-offering-ancestral-hair-heritage-in-gentle-rain-black-white.jpg)

## Hair as Living Heritage

For Black and mixed-race communities, hair has always been a profound marker of identity, spirituality, social status, and communal ties. In pre-colonial African societies, hair was an intricate language, communicating lineage, marital status, age, and even spiritual beliefs through specific styles such as braids, twists, and locs. The care of hair was not a solitary act but a communal ritual, a moment for bonding, storytelling, and the transmission of [ancestral wisdom](/area/ancestral-wisdom/) about herbs, oils, and styling techniques passed down through generations. 

This deep connection to hair transcends mere aesthetics; it embodies a living archive of heritage. When we speak of hair, we are also speaking of the hands that tended it, the stories shared during its styling, the earth that yielded the ingredients, and the very spirit woven into its strands. This understanding forms the groundwork for comprehending how biocolonialism can touch something as intimate and culturally charged as hair. The historical practices of grooming, adorning, and maintaining hair were intertwined with a people’s very way of being. 

![The black and white tonality enhances the subjects](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mother-and-daughter-holding-plant-stems-sunlight-black-and-white-portrait.jpg)

## Echoes in the Market

The journey of certain [hair care](/area/hair-care/) ingredients, from their humble origins in traditional Black and Indigenous communities to their widespread commercialization, offers a vivid illustration of biocolonialism’s insidious presence. Think of botanical wonders like **shea butter** or **black soap**, long utilized in African [ancestral care](/area/ancestral-care/) rituals for their remarkable moisturizing and cleansing properties. These substances were not merely “discovered” by modern corporations; their efficacy was honed and understood over centuries by those deeply connected to the land and its gifts. 

In countless instances, these natural ingredients become components in mainstream beauty products, often with little to no recognition or fair compensation flowing back to the communities that safeguarded their knowledge and cultivated their use. The economic benefits generated from these products rarely reach the hands of the original custodians, leaving them on the margins of an industry built upon their heritage. This dynamic exposes a fundamental imbalance, a continuous taking without genuine giving. 

- **Shea Butter** ❉ Revered for generations across West Africa for its nourishing properties, integral to skin and hair health, now a global commodity.

- **Black Soap (Alata Samina)** ❉ A traditional cleanser originating in West Africa, its formulation passed down through families, offering deep cleansing with natural ingredients.

- **Chebe Powder** ❉ A hair strengthening ritual from Chad, traditionally used by Basara women for its ability to promote length retention.

![Evoking ancestral hair traditions, this intimate scene captures one woman gently brushing another’s textured formations amidst lush greenery, symbolizing a tender exchange of wellness, heritage, and mutual care. This intimate exchange embodies holistic hair rituals deeply tied to Black and mixed ancestry hair experiences](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/intimate-moment-two-women-textured-hair-care-black-and-mixed-heritage.jpg)

![This striking visual evokes the raw, natural ingredients often at the heart of time-honored hair practices. From ancestral wisdom to modern holistic care, the image celebrates the rich heritage and nurturing traditions that fortify textured hair through generations of community](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/abstract-arrangement-of-natural-forms-evoking-heritage-textured-hair-care.jpg)

## Intermediate

Building upon our foundational understanding, a closer look at biocolonialism reveals its deeper implications, particularly for [textured hair](/area/textured-hair/) heritage. It moves beyond a simple act of appropriation, encompassing the systemic structures that allow for the exploitation of biological resources and the erasure of traditional knowledge, often under the guise of scientific advancement or market innovation. This framework allows us to scrutinize the historical forces that have shaped perceptions of Black and mixed-race hair. 

One must distinguish biocolonialism from mere **biopiracy**. While biopiracy focuses on the theft of [genetic resources](/area/genetic-resources/) or [traditional knowledge](/area/traditional-knowledge/) for commercial gain, biocolonialism represents the broader, more insidious continuation of colonial power structures within the biological sphere. It is the underlying system that permits biopiracy to occur repeatedly and without widespread challenge, emphasizing the enduring legacy of Western [colonialism](/area/colonialism/) in contemporary science and commerce. It highlights how the very framework of knowledge production and ownership is built upon historically asymmetrical power dynamics. 

> Biocolonialism extends historical power imbalances into the very fabric of life, encompassing both living resources and the wisdom that understands them.

![The monochromatic image conveys a sense of timeless ritual, highlighting the intentionality behind crafting herbal hair treatments rooted in cultural heritage, a deeply connected practice for textured hair health and reverence for ancestral hair care knowledge and holistic self care practices.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/hands-preparing-herbal-hair-treatment-infusion-black-and-white-photography.jpg)

## Beyond Simple Taking: The Systemic Hand

The systemic nature of biocolonialism is evident in how intellectual property laws, designed largely within a Western framework, struggle to protect traditional, collectively held knowledge. Patents and copyrights, typically granted for individual inventions or creations with a fixed duration, rarely accommodate wisdom passed down through generations or practices deeply embedded in a community’s way of life. This legal disconnect creates a loophole, enabling corporations to privatize what has long been a communal inheritance. The traditional concept of prior art, which prevents new patents on existing knowledge, often falls short when confronted with oral traditions or practices not formally documented in Western systems. 

This systemic hand often goes unnoticed, working through the quiet mechanisms of [legal frameworks](/area/legal-frameworks/) and market demands. It shapes what is deemed “discoverable” or “innovative,” often overlooking or devaluing the centuries of observation, experimentation, and refinement undertaken by indigenous communities. The outcome is a continuous flow of resources and knowledge from the Global South to the Global North, with minimal reciprocal benefit. 

![Gathering ancestral wisdom by the riverside, a mother shares the time-honored practice of identifying medicinal plants with her child. Baskets overflow with potential remedies, echoing centuries of traditional knowledge, holistic care, and the profound connection between heritage, hair care, and earth](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mother-and-child-discovering-plant-medicines-legacy-along-riverbank.jpg)

## The Unacknowledged Architectures of Hair Care

Consider the journey of ancient African hair care practices. For millennia, various communities developed sophisticated techniques and remedies for maintaining healthy, thriving hair. These included using plant-based oils, butters, clays, and herbal infusions, not only for physical conditioning but also for spiritual and social purposes. The knowledge of which plant relieved scalp irritation, which oil sealed moisture, or which clay detoxified was meticulously passed from elder to youth. 

When contemporary cosmetic science “discovers” the efficacy of an ingredient like **argan oil**, long used by Amazigh communities in North Africa, or **baobab oil**, a staple in many African traditions, the journey often mirrors that of biocolonial extraction. The scientific community may isolate the active compounds, confirm their benefits through laboratory studies, and then integrate them into commercial products, claiming innovation. Yet, the foundational understanding, the very spark of recognition regarding the ingredient’s potential, resides in the traditional knowledge systems that cultivated its use. This pattern represents an unacknowledged architecture, where modern advancements stand on the shoulders of ancestral wisdom without granting due credit or equity. 

![The image celebrates the intimate act of nurturing textured hair, using rich ingredients on densely coiled strands, reflecting a commitment to holistic wellness and Black hair traditions. This ritual links generations through ancestral knowledge and the practice of self-love embodied in natural hair care](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/applying-hair-cream-to-coiled-hair-a-black-and-white-portrait.jpg)

## Shaping Perceptions: Hair and the Colonial Gaze

Beyond ingredients and practices, biocolonialism profoundly affected the very perception and valuation of textured hair itself. During the eras of the transatlantic slave trade and subsequent colonization, a deliberate and insidious process of dehumanization unfolded, targeting Black hair as a site of control and degradation. One of the initial acts upon enslavement was often the forced shaving of hair, a brutal stripping of identity and connection to ancestral roots. This act severed a vital link to self and community, replacing it with a narrative of inferiority. 

The imposition of Eurocentric beauty standards ❉ characterized by straight, smooth hair ❉ led to the pathologizing of naturally coily and kinky textures. Terms like “good hair” for straighter textures and “bad hair” for kinky textures became internalized within Black communities, creating a hierarchy that favored those with hair closest to European ideals. This internal texturism, a legacy of colonial thought, persists even today, though counteracted by powerful [natural hair](/area/natural-hair/) movements. Missionary schools in colonial Africa often enforced strict rules, including mandatory hair shaving or prohibitions against traditional styles, further embedding the idea that African hair was “unsightly” or “ungodly.” This systematic devaluation of indigenous hair served to reinforce colonial power structures, making self-acceptance a radical act of resistance. 

![A black and white image resonates deeply through showcasing the passing down of cultural knowledge via hands intertwining kinky hair. This familial moment celebrates heritage, highlights the intricate artistry of black hairstyling traditions, and emphasizes commitment to natural hair care within an intergenerational black family dynamic, enhancing porosity](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/generational-hands-braiding-black-textured-hair-ancestral-tradition-and.jpg)

![The detailed honeycomb structure, symbolic of intricate formulations, highlights nature](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-honeycomb-structure-reflecting-textured-hair-care-ingredient.jpg)

## Academic

To approach biocolonialism from an academic vantage point necessitates a rigorous examination of its complex layers, delving into its historical antecedents, theoretical underpinnings, and contemporary manifestations within the discourse of textured hair heritage. This is a concept that extends beyond mere commercial exploitation; it represents a continuation of deeply entrenched power imbalances, where the biological and intellectual patrimony of Indigenous and marginalized communities becomes a resource for the dominant global scientific and economic apparatus. Academic scholars often frame biocolonialism as a mode of neocolonialism, where the relationship of dominance rests upon the appropriation of living organisms and their associated knowledge systems for profitable ends. 

Laurelyn Whitt, a Kooyooe Dukaddo (Northern Paiute) scholar, whose work is central to this understanding, delineates biocolonialism as “the control, manipulation and ownership of life itself, and the ancient knowledge systems held by Indigenous peoples.” This definition underscores the profound systemic nature of this phenomenon, recognizing that it is not simply about isolated incidents of theft but about the establishment of a framework that enables the continuous extraction and commodification of biological material and wisdom. It is a critical lens through which to comprehend how seemingly neutral scientific endeavors or market-driven innovations can perpetuate historical injustices. 

> Academic analysis of biocolonialism reveals the pervasive, systemic appropriation of life’s biological essence and ancestral knowledge for profit, extending colonial power dynamics.

![The monochrome visual invites reflection on sustainable afro wellness and the rich heritage of plant-based textured hair care, deeply rooted in ancestral knowledge and holistic practices, echoing traditions to protect and nourish natural heritage.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-image-cluster-of-palo-santo-seeds-holistic-wellness.jpg)

## A Scholarly Unraveling: The Deeper Meaning of Biocolonialism

The theoretical lineage of biocolonialism is intertwined with postcolonial studies and critical race theory, which scrutinize how colonial structures persist in various forms after formal decolonization. Postcolonial theorists examine how the body itself becomes a central site for colonial and post-colonial discourses, with physical differences like hair type and skin color historically serving as markers for control and subjugation. Critical Race Theory (CRT) further illuminates how racial disparities are structural and systemic, with frameworks like “racial palatability” explaining how individuals with features closer to dominant white ideals might be favored, even within racialized groups. This academic framework provides a vital understanding of why textured hair has been, and continues to be, a battleground in the broader struggle against biocolonialism. 

The scholarly discourse around biocolonialism points to a “new imperial science,” one that operates within a capitalist enterprise, echoing the scientific methods of the 18th and 19th centuries that facilitated imperial expansion and the subjugation of Indigenous peoples. This continuity is significant, as it suggests that the mechanisms of exploitation have merely adapted, shifting from direct land acquisition to the more subtle, yet equally potent, domain of biological and intellectual resources. The lack of legal frameworks within Western intellectual property law that adequately protect collective, intergenerational knowledge remains a core challenge, leaving Indigenous communities vulnerable. 

- **Traditional Knowledge** ❉ Defined by WIPO as knowledge, know-how, skills, and practices developed, sustained, and passed on within a community, often forming part of its cultural identity.

- **Genetic Resources** ❉ Any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity of actual or potential value.

- **Benefit Sharing** ❉ The principle that benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and traditional knowledge should be shared fairly and equitably with the providers of these resources and knowledge.

![The pumice stone](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/pumice-stone-texture-close-up-for-porosity-comparison-in-hair.jpg)

## The Biopolitical Landscape of Textured Hair

The biopolitical dimensions of textured hair are strikingly apparent when one considers the historical and ongoing attempts to control, standardize, and extract value from Black and mixed-race hair. From the forced shaving of enslaved Africans’ heads ❉ an act designed to strip identity and sever ancestral connection ❉ to the pervasive marketing of chemical straighteners that pathologized natural curls, hair has been a direct site of biocolonial intervention. These historical actions were not random; they were part of a calculated effort to dismantle cultural autonomy and impose [Eurocentric beauty standards](/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/) that served colonial power. The very texture of hair became a proxy for racial hierarchy, with “good” hair (straight) being privileged over “bad” hair (kinky, coily). 

This biopolitical control extends into the scientific realm. Hair samples, like other human biological materials, have been collected and studied without proper consent or equitable benefit-sharing, often fueling research that provides little tangible return to the communities from whom the samples originated. The academic scrutiny of hair as a biological specimen, divorced from its cultural context, has contributed to its objectification within a colonial knowledge economy. The pursuit of scientific data, however seemingly neutral, can become an extension of biocolonialism when it disregards the ethical principles of autonomy, respect, and justice for the source communities. 

![This striking portrait celebrates the beauty and cultural significance of locs, a protective style often representing ancestral heritage and a connection to Black hair traditions. The luminous backdrop contrasts with shadowed areas to create a deep, contemplative focus on identity and pride](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-portrait-of-woman-with-protective-locs-and-natural-radiance.jpg)

## When Strands Tell Tales: Genetic Data and Indigenous Sovereignty

A powerful illustration of biocolonialism’s reach into [hair heritage](/area/hair-heritage/) manifests in the realm of genetic research and the collection of human biological samples. Historically, Indigenous peoples’ biological information, including hair, bones, and blood, has been subjected to scientific misuse and theft, often for display in museums or for research that produced little benefit for the communities themselves. This practice of collecting and studying human remains without consent was a common feature of colonial settlement, particularly in places like Australia, where the scientific discourse of the time perpetuated harmful theories about the “evolutionary incapacity” of Indigenous peoples. 

A poignant case involves an Aboriginal man’s hair sample, collected in Australia in the early 1920s. The subsequent publication of its genome sequence decades later raised significant bioethical questions regarding consent and the rights of modern Aboriginal groups. In a chilling observation, Hank Greely stated, “in a sense, every Aboriginal Australian had something about themselves revealed to the world without their consent.” This act, though seemingly scientific, becomes a biocolonial act because it involves the appropriation of a community’s biological patrimony and the dissemination of deeply personal information without the collective’s knowledge or authorization. Such events highlight the enduring legacy of scientific dominance over Indigenous bodies and information. 

The broader landscape of genetic research underscores this disparity. A critical statistic reveals that genetic studies globally have been overwhelmingly dominated by populations of European ancestry, accounting for a staggering **83.2% of all samples**. In stark contrast, Indigenous Peoples contribute a mere **0.02% of samples**.

This profound imbalance indicates a pattern of extraction from Indigenous communities without genuine inclusion or benefit-sharing, reinforcing biocolonial tendencies within the scientific establishment. The very notion of genetic material as sovereign cultural property, as asserted by organizations like the Indigenous Peoples Council against Biocolonialism (IPCB), directly challenges the dominant Western paradigm of individual intellectual property rights, advocating instead for collective ownership and control.

The ethical implications of such practices are far-reaching. The collection of genetic material, whether blood or hair, reveals information not only about the individual but also about their family, clan, and entire community. When this information is extracted and utilized without authentic Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), or when the benefits disproportionately accrue to researchers and corporations, it entrenches a harmful form of biocolonialism. The Havasupai Tribe’s experience, where blood samples provided for diabetes research were subsequently used for studies on schizophrenia and inbreeding without their consent, serves as a powerful example of how trust can be violated and how genetic bioprospecting arrives uninvited, driven by external academic interests rather than community well-being. 

> The imbalance of genetic data, with European ancestry dominating 83.2% of samples versus Indigenous Peoples’ 0.02%, starkly illustrates the biocolonial pattern of extraction without equitable inclusion.

![This compelling macro view mirrors the varying porosities in textured hair formations, an artistic illustration serving as a visual analogy for understanding how essential moisture penetration and retention are for healthy hair care rooted in knowledge of ancestral practices.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/porous-rock-texture-macro-black-and-white-natural-volcanic-formation.jpg)

## Reclaiming the Crown: Ancestral Resistance and Future Paths

In the face of biocolonial pressures, Black and mixed-race communities have continuously asserted their autonomy and heritage through various forms of resistance. The natural hair movement, which gained significant traction in the 1960s and 70s with the rise of the ‘Afro’ as a symbol of Black pride, continues to thrive today as a declaration of self-acceptance and a rejection of imposed beauty standards. This movement is a testament to the resilience of cultural practices and a conscious effort to decolonize beauty aesthetics, honoring the inherent beauty of textured hair in all its forms. 

Restoring justice in the realm of biocolonialism involves several crucial pathways. Firstly, it requires the establishment of sui generis legal frameworks ❉ unique systems specifically tailored to protect traditional knowledge and cultural expressions ❉ that acknowledge collective ownership, perpetual duration, and community-based governance. This moves beyond attempts to fit communal wisdom into individualistic Western IP categories. Secondly, there is a pressing need for genuine, reciprocal partnerships between researchers, corporations, and Indigenous communities, ensuring that benefits are shared equitably and that research aligns with community-defined priorities and values. 

This requires a shift in mindset, moving from a paradigm of extraction to one of true collaboration and respect. It calls for prioritizing the voices and self-determination of traditional knowledge holders, recognizing their inherent sovereignty over their biological resources and cultural heritage. The path forward involves cultivating an environment where ancestral wisdom is not merely a source for commercial innovation but a living, respected tradition that informs holistic well-being and guides a respectful relationship with the natural world. This means embracing ethical bioprospecting, where consent, fair compensation, and benefit-sharing are non-negotiable. 

![Heritage intertwines with haircare rituals as grandmother and child collaborate on herbal remedies, a testament to holistic wellness. Transmitting ancestral knowledge enhances the child](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/generational-wisdom-black-hair-ancestral-roots-holistic-ingredient-preparation.jpg)

![Hands deftly blend earthen clay with water, invoking time-honored methods, nurturing textured hair with the vitality of the land. This ancestral preparation is a testament to traditional knowledge, offering deep hydration and fortifying coils with natural micronutrients](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/hands-soaking-clay-and-natural-ingredients-for-textured-hair-mask-ritual.jpg)

## Reflection on the Heritage of Biocolonialism

As we draw this meditation on biocolonialism to a close, a sense of profound reverence for the enduring heritage of textured hair washes over us. This journey, from the elemental biology that shapes our coils and kinks to the intricate dances of ancestral care and community, reveals that hair is a living, breathing archive of our collective human story. The concept of biocolonialism, with its sharp delineation of power imbalances and acts of appropriation, compels us to look with discerning eyes upon the systems that have historically sought to control or diminish this rich legacy. 

Yet, the narrative does not end with the recognition of past and present injustices. It is infused with the vibrant spirit of resilience, of a heritage that, despite every attempt at erasure, has found myriad ways to persist, adapt, and reclaim its glory. The tender thread of ancestral wisdom continues to guide us, reminding us that true wellness extends beyond the visible strand to encompass the deep well of cultural memory and self-acceptance. Every conscious choice to honor natural texture, every affirmation of ancestral styles, is a step towards decolonization, a quiet yet powerful act of sovereignty. 

The unbound helix of our future invites us to dream beyond the limitations of historical exploitation. It beckons us to build new paradigms of reciprocity, where scientific understanding walks hand-in-hand with ancestral knowledge, and where economic opportunities truly circulate within the communities that hold the keys to this profound hair heritage. It is a call to recognize the sacredness of our strands, understanding them not just as biological material, but as a vibrant testament to survival, creativity, and the unwavering spirit of a people. In nurturing our hair, we nurture our lineage; in reclaiming its story, we reclaim our power. 

![United by shared tradition, women collectively grind spices using time-honored tools, linking their heritage and labor to ancestral methods of preparing remedies, foods and enriching hair care preparations. This visual narrative evokes generational wellness, holistic care, and hair health practices rooted in community and ancestral knowledge](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/women-united-in-traditional-african-spice-grinding-ritual-black-and-white.jpg)

![Monochrome resilience shines through helical textured hair, each strand adorned with droplets, reflecting heritage and cultural traditions. The precise styling embodies both ancestral strength and modern expression, deeply weaving narrative of identity with natural beauty and holistic care, celebrating the power of textured hair](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-resilience-textured-hair-helix-water-droplets-illuminating-deep.jpg)

## References

- Barker, Clare. “Dismantling biocolonialism.” Social Studies of Science, vol. 49, no. 1, 2019.

- Casper, Monica J. and Lisa Jean Moore. Missing Wombs: Female Bodies and Reproductive Freedom. Routledge, 2019.

- Erdrich, Louise. Future Home of the Living God. Harper Perennial, 2017.

- Harry, Debra. “Biocolonialism and Indigenous Knowledge in Nations Discourse.” The International Indigenous Policy Journal, vol. 2, no. 4, 2011.

- Jones, Thomas F. et al. “Biocolonialism and Indigenous Knowledge in Nations Discourse.” ResearchGate, 2011.

- Kowal, E. “Orphan DNA: Indigenous samples, ethical biovalue and postcolonial science.” Social Studies of Science, vol. 43, no. 4, 2013.

- Mills, Meghan C. and Christopher Rahal. “The unequal distribution of genomic data: A global analysis.” Genome Biology, vol. 20, no. 1, 2019.

- Shiva, Vandana. Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge. South End Press, 1997.

- Sulzer, Sandra H. “Restorative Justice for International Traditional Cultural Expression Ownership Disputes.” Michigan Journal of International Law, vol. 45, no. 2, 2024.

- Whitt, Laurelyn. Science, Colonialism, and Indigenous Peoples: The Cultural Politics of Law and Knowledge. Cambridge University Press, 2009.

## Glossary

### [Hair Stewardship](https://roothea.co/area/hair-stewardship/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Stewardship, for those with textured hair, represents a gentle yet informed commitment to the welfare of one's distinctive coils, kinks, and waves.

### [Hair Identity](https://roothea.co/area/hair-identity/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Identity, for those with textured strands, signifies the deeply personal recognition of one's unique hair characteristics ❉ its growth patterns, inherent porosity, and specific moisture needs ❉ uniting ancestral knowledge with contemporary care science.

### [Intellectual Property](https://roothea.co/area/intellectual-property/)

Meaning ❉ Intellectual Property, within the gentle care of textured hair, signifies the original thoughts and structured approaches that spring forth from individual wisdom and collective heritage.

### [Hair Reciprocity](https://roothea.co/area/hair-reciprocity/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Reciprocity describes the responsive interaction between an individual's textured hair and the intentional care it receives.

### [Genetic Resources](https://roothea.co/area/genetic-resources/)

Meaning ❉ Genetic Resources, when considered for textured hair, denote the inherent biological blueprint passed down through familial lines, defining the unique structural attributes like curl configuration, strand density, and porosity.

### [Hair Rituals](https://roothea.co/area/hair-rituals/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Rituals signify a deliberate, organized approach to textured hair care, moving beyond sporadic efforts toward a consistent, informed practice.

### [Mixed-Race Hair](https://roothea.co/area/mixed-race-hair/)

Meaning ❉ Mixed-Race Hair describes hair that gracefully carries a spectrum of genetic expressions, often stemming from a beautiful confluence of ancestral legacies, manifesting as a unique array of curl patterns, textures, and porosities across a single head.

### [Beauty Standards](https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/)

Meaning ❉ Beauty Standards often describe societal ideals dictating what is considered appealing, particularly concerning appearance.

### [Hair Heritage](https://roothea.co/area/hair-heritage/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Heritage denotes the ancestral continuum of knowledge, customary practices, and genetic characteristics that shape the distinct nature of Black and mixed-race hair.

### [Texturism](https://roothea.co/area/texturism/)

Meaning ❉ Texturism gently clarifies a particular bias observed within the vibrant spectrum of textured hair, often favoring curl patterns perceived as looser over those with tighter coils or dense curl formations.

## Explore Your Heritage

### [Biocolonialism Hair](https://roothea.co/term/biocolonialism-hair/)
![This monochrome portrait highlights the beauty of textured hair, its helical formation rendered in striking detail. The woman](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-woman-with-elaborate-textured-afro-hairstyle-and-shawl.jpg)

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    "@id": "https://roothea.co/term/biocolonialism/",
    "mentions": [
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/mixed-race-hair/",
            "name": "Mixed-Race Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/mixed-race-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Mixed-Race Hair describes hair that gracefully carries a spectrum of genetic expressions, often stemming from a beautiful confluence of ancestral legacies, manifesting as a unique array of curl patterns, textures, and porosities across a single head."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/traditional-remedies/",
            "name": "Traditional Remedies",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/traditional-remedies/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Traditional Remedies signify the enduring practices and botanical preparations, frequently inherited through generations within Black and mixed-race communities, purposed for hair's well-being."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/biocolonialism/",
            "name": "Biocolonialism",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/biocolonialism/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Biocolonialism, within the evolving understanding of textured hair, speaks to the historical and ongoing unilateral leveraging of biological resources, ancestral botanical wisdom, or genetic insights primarily from Black and mixed-race communities."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/intellectual-property/",
            "name": "Intellectual Property",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/intellectual-property/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Intellectual Property, within the gentle care of textured hair, signifies the original thoughts and structured approaches that spring forth from individual wisdom and collective heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-wisdom/",
            "name": "Ancestral Wisdom",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-wisdom/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Ancestral Wisdom, for textured hair, represents the enduring knowledge and discerning observations gently passed through generations concerning the unique character of Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-care/",
            "name": "Ancestral Care",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-care/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Ancestral Care, for those with textured hair, gently guides us to a discerning practice rooted in the enduring wisdom passed through generations, thoughtfully interpreted for contemporary understanding."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-care/",
            "name": "Hair Care",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-care/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Care, when understood through the lens of textured hair, signifies a mindful discipline for preserving the vigor of coily, kinky, and wavy strands."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair/",
            "name": "Textured Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Textured hair describes the natural hair structure characterized by its unique curl patterns, ranging from expansive waves to closely wound coils, a common trait across individuals of Black and mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/traditional-knowledge/",
            "name": "Traditional Knowledge",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/traditional-knowledge/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Traditional Knowledge, in the context of textured hair, represents the collected practical understanding passed down through generations within Black and mixed-race communities."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/genetic-resources/",
            "name": "Genetic Resources",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/genetic-resources/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Genetic Resources, when considered for textured hair, denote the inherent biological blueprint passed down through familial lines, defining the unique structural attributes like curl configuration, strand density, and porosity."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/colonialism/",
            "name": "Colonialism",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/colonialism/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Colonialism, in the tender world of textured hair, speaks to the historical introduction of external aesthetic ideals and care practices that regrettably diminished the inherent beauty and structural integrity of natural Black and mixed hair textures."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/legal-frameworks/",
            "name": "Legal Frameworks",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/legal-frameworks/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Consider 'Legal Frameworks' within our tender care for textured hair as the gentle, yet firm, foundational guidelines we lay down for ourselves."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "name": "Natural Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Natural Hair describes hair that maintains its original structural configuration, untouched by chemical processes like relaxers, texturizers, or permanent color that alter its natural coil, curl, or wave definition."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/",
            "name": "Eurocentric Beauty Standards",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty-standards/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Eurocentric beauty standards denote a historical leaning towards hair characteristics commonly found within European lineages, such as straightness, fineness, or gentle waves, alongside particular color and density ideals."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-heritage/",
            "name": "Hair Heritage",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-heritage/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Heritage denotes the ancestral continuum of knowledge, customary practices, and genetic characteristics that shape the distinct nature of Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-stewardship/",
            "name": "Hair Stewardship",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-stewardship/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Stewardship, for those with textured hair, represents a gentle yet informed commitment to the welfare of one's distinctive coils, kinks, and waves."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-identity/",
            "name": "Hair Identity",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-identity/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Identity, for those with textured strands, signifies the deeply personal recognition of one's unique hair characteristics ❉ its growth patterns, inherent porosity, and specific moisture needs ❉ uniting ancestral knowledge with contemporary care science."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-reciprocity/",
            "name": "Hair Reciprocity",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-reciprocity/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Reciprocity describes the responsive interaction between an individual's textured hair and the intentional care it receives."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-rituals/",
            "name": "Hair Rituals",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-rituals/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Rituals signify a deliberate, organized approach to textured hair care, moving beyond sporadic efforts toward a consistent, informed practice."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/",
            "name": "Beauty Standards",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Beauty Standards often describe societal ideals dictating what is considered appealing, particularly concerning appearance."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/texturism/",
            "name": "Texturism",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/texturism/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Texturism gently clarifies a particular bias observed within the vibrant spectrum of textured hair, often favoring curl patterns perceived as looser over those with tighter coils or dense curl formations."
        }
    ]
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://roothea.co/term/biocolonialism/
