Museum Programs

 

The Nappy Hair Program

 

Introduction: 

Nappy Hair is a workshop that explores questions and feelings we have about hair differences and how we address those differences. Through storytelling, styling different textures of hair and a theatrical presentation we will explore hair and ourselves.  

Background:

The way we style our hair tells us a lot about our culture, ethnic background, class and self.  It often describes how we feel about ourselves and where we fit into our society.  What does it mean when we say we are having a bad hair day or say that a person has good or bad hair? What stories do we remember and tell about our mothers, grandmothers and friends when we think of having our hair styled?  What does it mean to go to the barbershop as a young boy or man? 

Carolivia Herron wrote a book called Nappy Hair because she wanted her students of African descent to celebrate their racial differences and the physical characteristics that describe race. Hair braiding is one of the few African traditions that continue to be embraced, passed on and shared by Africans and African-Americans alike. Hair is an extension of self. 

Nappy Hair:

In a unique and vibrant picture book that uses the African-American call-and-response tradition, a family talks back and forth about adorable Brenda's hair - it's the nappiest, the curliest, the twistiest hair in the whole family. The family delights in poking gentle fun with their hilarious descriptions, all the time discovering the beauty and meaning of Brenda's hair. Soulful, funny, full of rhythm, and bursting with family pride, Nappy Hair is accessible to people of all ages. Joe Cepeda's colors are ripe but youthful, sweet but bold - with lots of kid appeal. A must for reading aloud, Nappy Hair is a meaningful and completely captivating reading experience. Nobody who has nappy hair - or knows someone with nappy hair - will be able to forget little Brenda!

Call & Response: 

The Nappy Hair story is like a praise song from West Africa. In a praise song the poet or "griot" (say 'gree-oh') praises the chief or leader of the people. Although the song is supposed to be all praise, sometimes the griot tries to find a way to tell the chief how to improve. If you have seen the book, Nappy Hair, you have noticed that it has lines spoken by Uncle Mordecai followed by lines spoken by the audience*.

 *http://www.carolivia.org/nappyhair/book.html

Objective:    

o       Provides an activity-based program that enlightens participants about African American Hair and Culture. 

o       Builds self-esteem through self-awareness. 

o       Encourages multi-cultural appreciation.

 Methodology:    

  • A brief discussion will introduce ideas on different textures of hair, and how style and texture both play a dramatic role in the way we view ourselves, as well as others around us.
  • Several short stories about African American hair will be read to the group with a question and answer period following.
  • The group will participate in a role-playing theater production where they will have the opportunity to create and style hair.  A salon setting will be provided and some participants will be invited to wear wigs, while other participants will comb and design hairstyles on the participants wearing the wigs.
  • A question and answer period will take place asking the participants how they feel about the roles they played, how they feel about the subject of one’s hair and what was learned about stylistic, cultural, and organic differences.

 

Tarpley, Natasha Anastasia. I Love My Hair, Little, Brown and Company: New York, 1998.

Herron, Carolivia. Nappy Hair, Alfred A Knopf: New York, 1997.

Hooks, Bell. Happy to Be Nappy, Hyperion Books: New York, 1999.

Lasky, Kathryn. Vision of Beauty, Candlewick Press: Cambridge, MA, 2000.

Sieber, Roy. Hair in African Art and Culture, Frank Herreman ed., Museum for African Art, New York.  2000

Greene, Beverly. Psychotherapy With African-American Women: Innovations in Pyschodynamic Perspectives and Practice, Leslie Jackson ed., Guilford Press, New York. 2000.

  

Fee Structure: 

The cost of each program is as follows:

 

Educational group program I for 20 participants or fewer - $25.

Educational group program II for 21 - 30 participants - $35.

Educational group program III for over 30 participants, but fewer than 60 - $45.