BANTU

OIL ON CANVAS 36X50 - 2022
Bantu knots originate from the Zulu Kingdom of Southern Africa where the curls and coils of Black hair are said to resemble shapes in the cosmos. "When the Dutch colonized Southern Africa, they used the word Bantu as a derogatory term to marginalize southern Africans." South Africans reclaimed the Zulu word Bantu, which translates to people. In many African regions, hair is considered powerful, and it is believed to have unique spiritual energy due to its proximity to the heavens. Because of this, raised styles like Bantu knots are considered sacred.