6000 Years of African Combs

Designed in 1972, the Afro comb with a clenched fist representing the Black Power movement has become an iconic symbol that has transcended time and continents. What many people do not realize is that the basic form of pick or comb has been around since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The earliest examples appeared over 6000 years ago in Egypt and Sudan; their handles were often decorated with cultural or religious symbols denoting status and cultural affiliation. More recently, in some West African cultures, hair combs represent the parting of ways and even friendship, whereas other cultural groups give combs to prospective lovers or their brides on their wedding day. This book is the first to be dedicated entirely to the history of African combs and uses evidence from archaeological excavations, ethnographic collections, historical sources and oral testimonies to trace the history of this enigmatic object.