An African woman with her hair threaded in cotton, known as threading. Picture: Pexels
Stepping into the unknown often leads to rediscovery and for Jamaican solo traveller, Meroe (@findingmeroe), her latest adventure took her to the vibrant heart of Ghana in her quest of a timeless hairstyle steeped in history.
The 500-year-old beauty ritual, known as African threading, is a captivating process that promises to strengthen and protect hair, giving it the chance to flourish without modern heat styling tools.
For Meroe, the journey was not just about aesthetics; it was about connecting with her roots and delving into the cultural significance of this revered practice.
@findingmeroe Have you tried African hair threading? It’s one of the continents oldest hairstyles 🌍🇬🇭 . . #adonko #africanhairthreading #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #ghanatravel #solofemaletravel #solotravelwoman ♬ original sound - Meroe | Travel + Culture
“I bumped into these girls in the village where I lived with their hair threaded and I just had to have it,” she shared.
Intrigued, she ventured to another village to meet with a practitioner who would introduce her to the traditional technique known as “Adonko” or “Watchman’s Wife” in Ghana.
African threading involves wrapping sectioned hair with black thread to create a protective style that reduces manipulation of the hair strands.
This method nurtures hair health, making it a favourite beauty tradition in regions like Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
As Meroe describes, “For many Ghanaians, doing their hair like this is just a regular part of everyday life. For me it feels like uncovering a lost memory of something.”
With each thread, she not only embraced a hairstyle but also the narratives and traditions that accompany it.
Questioning her online followers, Meroe sparked a conversation around curiosity and cultural exploration. Would they also consider embarking on a journey to a village just to get their hair styled?
Responses poured in, revealing a wealth of shared experiences and nostalgia.
One user, @raiethefantibabe, poignantly reflected: “My hair was at its healthiest when my mum used to do this to my hair during primary school days. Now look at me, like a stressed chicken plucking its own feathers.”
Another, @simplyshingi, celebrated the intertwining of cultures, reminiscing about her own childhood in Zimbabwe, where the threading technique had been a cherished ritual.
“It’s so beautiful how our cultures are intertwined in some ways,” she wrote, underscoring the shared identity that binds communities across the continent.
Even broader conversations about hair and heritage emerged, with user @userkm24vmw02n commenting: “In Sierra Leone, we call it threading. It stimulates hair growth.”
Such responses reflect not just the beauty of the hairstyle itself but a broader appreciation for the cultural significance that it carries.