Book Featuring Characters with Natural Hair
Representation counts!
There is nothing more grounding and affirming than seeing yourself and/or your experiences reflected back at you from mainstream media.
NOW, from the big screen to the red carpet and the pages of much-loved books, afro-textured hair is finally getting its much-needed spotlight.
And rest assured, it is NOT a fad, or some kind of virtue signalling.
It is a delayed revolution.
And with the current easy access to social messaging, this narrative is ours to change.
And NaHaZo gladly jumps on the roof of this bandwagon, as it showcases our 3 shortlisted books featuring characters with natural hair:-
*Pssst, check out or 7 Top Romantic Movies that feature Leads with Natural Hair.
1. My Sister, The Serial Killer
‘…her dreadlocks are piled atop her head, so they don’t sweep the ground. She keeps looking at me with her big brown eyes, afraid that I am angry, that I will soon get off my hands and knees to lecture her.’
My Sister, the Serial Killer is a witty, engaging story about Korede and her gorgeous sister, Yinka, who seems to have a peculiar way of breaking up with boyfriends.
And this may or may not involve murder most foul, but definitely involves her reluctant sister coming to clean up after her.
Worth a read, and it is great to see a murder mystery (ish) set in Lagos and tackling this morbid issue with lots of humour and lyrical style.
2. Yinka, where is your huzband?
‘I turn around. My cousin Rachel is sauntering towards me like a goddess. Green sequin dress. Thick natural hair. Make-up on fleek.‘
This is a great lol book to share with the girlfriends in your group.
We can all relate to the pressure from family to settle down. The pressure of attending wedding after wedding, and dodging the nosey questions from aunts as to your relationship status. And so can Yinka.
Except, on the face of it, Yinka seems to have it all – except a husband.
But she has a career. A good career, and is due for a promotion. Until she is not! And is out of a job.
Then all the wheels really fall off.
Jobless, staring into invitations to weddings, baby showers, and engagement parties, it is easy for a girl to get down about it all, but not Yinka. Follow her journey to true self-love with all the laughter, tears, and fun times.
Definitely one of our favourite reads with lots of thick, luscious afros taking up character space. What’s not to love?
3. Americanah
‘Ifemelu had brought her own comb. She gently combed her hair, dense, soft and tightly coiled until it frames her head like a halo. “Its not hard to comb if you moisturise it properly,” she said, slipping into the coaxing tone of the proselytizer that she used whenever she was trying to convince other black women about the merits of wearing their hair natural.’
Americanah follows two star-crossed lovers as they navigate love in a time of migration, familial pressures and loneliness in the diaspora.
Chimamanda beautifully weaves the story of how lovers find one another again, despite the obstacles, and her character navigating natural hair love was a delight to read.
Something we can all relate to.
Speaking of which, wearing your natural hair can feel like an act of rebellion, especially when you are not in a supportive environment as our Natural Hair Feature of the Month Vee found out.
Do you want longer natural hair?
Have you read any of these books? Do you have any other book recommendations featuring main characters with natural hair?
Sound off in the comments below, and let’s hear your natural hair bookish recommendations.
