Material Influence

Fundamentals

The concept of ‘Material Influence’ within Roothea’s living library represents the profound and enduring impact that the physical characteristics and elemental properties of textured hair, along with the tangible objects and traditional practices associated with its care, exert upon individual and communal identity, cultural expression, and overall well-being. It is a recognition that the very matter of our strands—their curl, coil, density, and resilience—is not merely biological, but a dynamic force shaping our lived experiences and inherited narratives. This definition extends beyond the purely scientific, embracing the cultural and historical dimensions of hair as a tangible artifact of heritage.

The Hair Strand as a Living Archive

Imagine a single strand of hair, not as a static filament, but as a living archive, holding whispers of ancestral journeys and echoes of resilience. Its unique structure, from the elliptical shape of the follicle to the tightly wound spirals of the curl, is a biological testament to evolutionary adaptation, protecting early human ancestors from intense ultraviolet radiation and facilitating scalp cooling in warm climates. This inherent biology, the ‘material’ aspect, directly influences how hair interacts with its environment and the hands that tend to it.

The Material Influence, in its most foundational sense, acknowledges that the physical attributes of textured hair necessitate specific approaches to care and styling. Unlike straighter hair types, afro-textured hair, characterized by its dense, spiral-shaped curls, often exhibits unique properties such as shrinkage and a propensity for dryness due to the uneven distribution of natural oils along the shaft. These inherent characteristics demand tailored care, fostering a relationship with hair that is both deeply practical and profoundly personal.

Material Influence begins with recognizing that the very physicality of textured hair profoundly shapes its cultural significance and care practices.

Early Echoes from the Source

From the earliest human communities, hair was never simply a biological outgrowth. It was a canvas, a communicator, and a symbol. In ancient African civilizations, intricate hairstyles were not merely aesthetic choices; they served as a complex language, conveying social status, age, marital standing, tribal affiliation, and even spiritual beliefs. The tools and substances used for hair grooming—natural butters, herbs, and powders—were among the earliest expressions of Material Influence, demonstrating an intuitive understanding of how natural elements could protect and adorn the hair.

Consider the role of communal hair grooming sessions in many African societies, where the act of tending to hair became a social event, a moment for connection and storytelling. The materials used in these rituals, from the carved wooden combs to the nourishing shea butter, became imbued with collective memory and cultural significance, reinforcing the notion that the physical aspects of hair care are deeply intertwined with community and heritage.

Intermediate

Moving beyond the fundamental, the Material Influence expands to encompass the dynamic interplay between the inherent properties of textured hair and the cultural narratives, historical pressures, and evolving practices that have shaped its journey. It is the recognition that the ‘materiality’ of textured hair—its unique biomechanical properties and physiological responses—has directly informed ancestral wisdom, spurred innovation in care, and served as a tangible locus of identity and resistance across generations.

The Resilient Helix ❉ Biology Meets Heritage

The intrinsic structure of afro-textured hair, with its elliptical or oval cross-section and spiraling follicle, leads to a hair strand that is more prone to tangling and breakage compared to straighter hair types. This biological reality, often misunderstood or devalued in Eurocentric beauty standards, has historically necessitated a particular sensitivity to hair health and protective styling. The Material Influence highlights how these unique properties have given rise to a rich heritage of hair care practices designed to mitigate dryness and fragility, promoting strength and length retention.

• Coiled Configuration ❉ The tight, spiral structure of afro-textured hair, while visually stunning, impedes the even distribution of natural oils from the scalp to the tips, leading to inherent dryness. This characteristic has traditionally led to the use of emollient-rich ingredients.
• Tensile Strength ❉ Research indicates that the break stress of hair decreases as curliness increases, suggesting that the curls and twists create points of weakness when stretched. This informs the historical preference for gentle handling and low-manipulation styles.
• Growth Cycle ❉ Afro-textured hair generally grows slower and has a higher proportion of hairs in the resting (telogen) phase compared to Caucasian hair, contributing to perceptions of shorter length even after prolonged growth.

Ancestral Wisdom and Material Adaptations

The wisdom passed down through generations regarding textured hair care represents a profound understanding of Material Influence. Prior to the transatlantic slave trade, African communities developed elaborate hair-styling practices using natural butters, herbs, and powders to retain moisture and protect hair. For instance, Shea Butter, derived from the shea nut tree abundant in West and Central Africa, has been used for centuries as a moisturizer and protector for skin and hair. Its rich content of vitamins A and E and its anti-inflammatory properties made it a staple in traditional hair care, not just for its functional benefits but also as a sacred symbol of fertility and purity.

The Material Influence reveals how the physical properties of textured hair dictated historical care rituals, proving ancestral knowledge was deeply attuned to hair’s unique needs.

The transatlantic slave trade, however, marked a brutal disruption of these practices. Enslaved Africans were often stripped of their cultural practices, including their elaborate hairstyles, with their heads forcibly shaved under the guise of sanitation. This act was a deliberate attempt to erase identity and cultural connection, weaponizing the physical attributes of hair to dehumanize.

Yet, even in the face of such oppression, the Material Influence persisted. Enslaved people creatively adapted, using whatever rudimentary materials were available—animal fats, salvaged cloth for headwraps—to protect their hair, often braiding intricate patterns that reportedly served as maps to freedom.

Academic

The Material Influence, when viewed through an academic lens, constitutes a critical examination of how the inherent physical characteristics of textured hair, alongside the tangible artifacts and practices associated with its care, have profoundly shaped, and continue to shape, the socio-cultural, psychological, and economic landscapes of Black and mixed-race communities. This academic interpretation delves into the reciprocal relationship between the material reality of hair and its symbolic meaning, analyzing how this dynamic has been both a source of cultural richness and a site of systemic oppression. The explication of Material Influence here moves beyond a simple description, offering a comprehensive elucidation of its significance within the broader discourse of material culture studies, particularly as it pertains to human identity and social structures.

Delineating the Material Influence ❉ A Critical Examination

From a scholarly perspective, the Material Influence can be defined as the demonstrable impact of the biophysical properties of textured hair—its unique morphology, structural integrity, and physiological responses—upon its cultural perception, historical treatment, and contemporary experiences of individuals and communities. This interpretation is grounded in the understanding that hair, as a corporeal material, is not merely a passive canvas for cultural expression, but an active agent in the construction of identity and the negotiation of social power. Susan Niditch’s work, “My Brother Esau Is a Hairy Man ❉ Hair and Identity in Ancient Israel,” for instance, underscores how hair, as a material cultural artifact, functions as a powerful sign and symbol, deeply intertwined with psychological, social, and political dimensions of identity across multicultural settings.

(Niditch, 2008, p. 2)

The meaning of Material Influence extends to how these physical attributes have been historically perceived, manipulated, and legislated, particularly in diasporic contexts. The inherent fragility of afro-textured hair, stemming from its elliptical shaft and numerous points of weakness due to its coiled structure, makes it more susceptible to breakage. This biological reality, while necessitating specific care, was frequently weaponized during colonial periods and beyond.

The “tignon laws” enacted in Louisiana in 1786, which compelled Black women to cover their hair with headscarves, exemplify a direct legislative attempt to diminish the visible Material Influence of textured hair as a marker of identity and status. This historical act demonstrates how the physical presence of textured hair was perceived as a threat to established social hierarchies, necessitating its concealment.

The academic meaning of Material Influence dissects how the inherent physical characteristics of textured hair have historically dictated its cultural perception, care practices, and served as a tangible locus of both pride and systemic discrimination.

Interconnected Incidences ❉ Hair as a Site of Systemic Impact

The Material Influence is particularly salient in understanding the profound psychological and socio-economic consequences experienced by Black and mixed-race individuals. Research consistently shows that discrimination based on hair texture and style is a pervasive issue, impacting self-esteem, mental well-being, and even opportunities for employment and education. A study published in the journal Body Image found that Black Adolescent Girls Were Significantly More Likely Than Their White and Latina Peers to Experience Hair-Related Discrimination and Dissatisfaction, Which in Turn Led to Increased Feelings of Depression (Lisse, 2025).

This specific data point powerfully illuminates the direct psychological toll exacted by societal biases against the material reality of textured hair. The material aspects of hair, therefore, become intertwined with mental health, demonstrating a tangible link between physical appearance and psychological well-being.

The societal pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards, often requiring chemical or heat-based straightening, has a direct impact on the material integrity of textured hair. Chemical relaxers, for instance, work by breaking disulfide bonds within the hair shaft, permanently altering its structure and reducing its tensile strength, thereby increasing the risk of breakage. This practice, while offering temporary conformity, highlights a forced negotiation with the Material Influence, often at the expense of hair health. The economic implications are also substantial, with a thriving industry built around products and services designed to alter or manage textured hair, often perpetuating a cycle of dependency on products that may not always prioritize hair health over perceived societal acceptance.

Moreover, the Material Influence extends to the professional and academic spheres. Studies reveal that Black women with natural hairstyles are often perceived as less professional and are less likely to be recommended for interviews, particularly in conservative industries. (Rosette, 2020) This phenomenon demonstrates how the material presentation of hair can directly influence economic mobility and social integration. The very physicality of hair, its texture and style, becomes a barrier, revealing the deeply embedded nature of hair discrimination as a form of systemic racism.

The ongoing efforts to pass legislation like the CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) in various regions underscore the continued need to legally protect individuals from discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles. These legislative movements acknowledge the Material Influence of hair as a protected characteristic, recognizing its intrinsic connection to racial identity and cultural heritage. The fight for hair acceptance is, at its core, a struggle for the right to embody one’s Material Influence without penalty, a testament to the enduring power of hair as a symbol of self-determination.

1. The Colonial Imposition ❉ During the transatlantic slave trade, the forced shaving of hair and the subsequent imposition of Eurocentric beauty standards sought to dismantle the cultural significance of Black hair, creating a legacy where natural textures were deemed “unprofessional” or “uncivilized.”
2. The Natural Hair Movement ❉ The Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s and 70s saw a resurgence of pride in afro-textured hair, with styles like the Afro becoming powerful symbols of Black identity and resistance, reclaiming the Material Influence as a source of strength.
3. Contemporary Challenges ❉ Despite progress, hair discrimination persists in schools and workplaces, highlighting the ongoing struggle for acceptance of natural textured hair and the need for continued advocacy to dismantle biased beauty standards.

Reflection on the Heritage of Material Influence

As we close this contemplation of Material Influence, we are reminded that textured hair, in its very essence, is a profound meditation on heritage. The journey from elemental biology to a vibrant symbol of identity is not a linear progression, but a cyclical dance, an unbroken lineage of care and cultural expression. Roothea’s ‘living library’ aims to honor this continuum, recognizing that the Material Influence is not a static concept but a breathing, evolving testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Black and mixed-race communities.

The tender thread that connects ancient ancestral practices to contemporary care rituals is woven with the understanding that our hair, in its physical manifestation, carries stories, wisdom, and a profound sense of belonging. Each coil, each kink, each wave is a testament to survival, a whisper from those who came before, reminding us of the enduring spirit that transformed adversity into adornment, and limitation into liberation. This is the soulful ethos of a strand ❉ a deep respect for the material, a reverence for the inherited, and an unwavering celebration of the unbound helix that continues to define us.

Understanding Material Influence is not merely about scientific principles or historical facts; it is about reclaiming a sacred connection to self and lineage. It is about recognizing that the choices we make for our hair today are echoes of ancient wisdom, informed by generations of intimate knowledge about how to nurture, protect, and celebrate the unique material that crowns us. In this understanding, we find not only knowledge but also a profound sense of peace and pride in the vibrant heritage of textured hair.

References

• Ashby, S.P. (ed) (2016). Archaeologies of Hair ❉ the head and its grooming in ancient and contemporary societies. Internet Archaeology 42.
• Caffrey, C. (2023). Afro-textured hair. EBSCO Research Starters.
• Diop, S. (n.d.). Shea Butter. sheabutter.net.
• Fox, T. (2021). The Evolution of Black Hair for Beauty & Resistance. Thrifts & Tangles.
• GirlsOnTops. (2020). A Sacred Legacy ❉ On Black Hair And The Revolutionary Power of Self-Exp .
• Jiang, Y. (n.d.). The Concept of Material Culture in Cross-cultural Communication and Its Application in Contemporary Art. SHS Web of Conferences.
• Khumalo, N. P. et al. (2000). Hair in the Material Culture and Art of the Ancient Near East. Oxford Academic.
• Lisse, A. (2025). UConn Researcher Sheds New Light on Importance of Hair Satisfaction for Black Adolescent Girls .
• Maharaj, C. (2025). Beyond the roots ❉ exploring the link between black hair and mental health. Research.
• Niditch, S. (2008). My Brother Esau Is a Hairy Man ❉ Hair and Identity in Ancient Israel. Oxford University Press.
• Noma Sana. (2024). The History of Straightening Afro and Textured Hair .
• Rosette, A. S. (2020). Research Suggests Bias Against Natural Hair Limits Job Opportunities for Black Women. Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.
• The Kurl Kitchen. (2024). The Cultural Significance Of Natural Hair In Different Communities .
• University of Salford Students’ Union. (2024). The Remarkable History Behind Black Hairstyles .
• White, V. (n.d.). Celebrating the history and beauty of afro-textured hair. Issuu.