#amasunzu

When worn by women, amasunzu was intrinsically linked to marital status and virginity and was only worn by teenage girls until they were married. After marriage, some women let their hair grow freely.

Amasunzu is a traditional Rwandan hairstyle that was once worn by men and women. The unique style is created by cutting some of the hair sideways and braiding the top. A person who had this hairstyle was identified as powerful, noble, prestigious and brave. Amasunzu hairstyle made a come back in 2018 when Lupita Nyong’o wore it on the red carpet at the Oscar. Visit the king’s Palace and the Ethnographic Museum to learn more about Rwanda’s cultural heritage. (Visit Rwanda)

My inspiration to draw this came from an artist  Labdi, who performs with the Orutu. I imagined cultures  surviving colonialism and existing in contemporary contexts.

“You might think that your hair looks pretty fly, but chances are it’s nothing compared to the Amasunzu. It’s a traditionally Rwandan hairstyle that was once worn by men, as well as by unmarried women in order to indicate to potential suitors that they were single and of marriageable age.”

amasunzu hairstyle in 1920s rwanda

In its heyday, people in Rwanda wore the amasunzu in more than 30 different ways. It was a demonstration of elegance and refinement

Amasunzu, the traditional hair style of Rwandan men. Source