Do Native Americans Have Curly Hair?

Curly hair is often associated with African ancestry, but many Native Americans also have naturally curly locks. Curly hair comes in different textures and degrees of curliness, from loose waves to tight coils. Here’s an in-depth look at curly hair among Native American tribes.

The Origin of Curly Hair in Native Americans

Curly hair originated in Native American populations long before European colonization. There are a few theories on how curly hair became common among some tribes:

• Ancient ancestry: Genetic analysis suggests that curly hair existed in Native Americans stemming from ancestral migrations from Asia thousands of years ago. Groups migrating across Siberia and into the Americas carried these curly hair genes.

• Admixture with other groups: Some intermingling between ancestral Native Americans, Africans, Polynesians, and Europeans occurred. This admixture introduced new hair textures like tight coils and loose waves into Native American populations.

• Adaptation to environment: The curly hair trait may have been selected for as a beneficial adaptation to humid, hot climates in parts of the Americas. Tighter curls may have helped prevent overheating and reduced frizzing and tangling in thick, wet climates.

• Random genetic mutations: Novel mutations randomly occurring over generations may have led to the curly hair trait becoming more prevalent in some tribes.

Common Native American Tribes with Curly Hair

Many Native American tribes, particularly in North, Central, and South America, exhibit relatively high rates of naturally curly hair. Some examples include:

• Apache: This Southwest tribe has curly-haired members. Historical drawings often depict Apache people with wavy to coily hair textures.

• Arapaho: Part of the Algonquian language family, Arapaho people traditionally lived in the Great Plains. Curly-haired members are documented both historically and in present day.

• Blackfoot: Indigenous to the northern Great Plains, many Blackfoot people have loose curls to tight ringlets.

• Cherokee: The Cherokee nation lives in the Southeastern Woodlands. Wavy, curly hair is seen among many Cherokee people.

• Cheyenne: Closely related to the Algonquian tribes, the Cheyenne tribe has curly-haired members native to the Great Plains.

• Chickasaw: This Southeastern tribe has curly-haired members like many of their Indigenous neighbors.

• Choctaw: With ancestral homelands in the Southeast, Choctaw people exhibit diverse hair textures including waves and curls.

• Creek: Also from the Southeastern Woodlands, the Creek nation is comprised of members with straight, wavy, and coily locks.

• Fox: The Meskwaki and Sauk tribes making up the Fox people contain curly-haired members native to the Great Lakes region.

• Hopi: Indigenous to the Southwest, Hopi people have a range of hair textures from straight to tightly coiled.

• Lumbee: This tribe centered in North Carolina has curly-haired members, despite discriminatory “pencil tests” used to deny their Native identity.

• Maya: This Mesoamerican civilization had members with tightly curled ringlets, as evidenced by art and records.

• Pima: The Akimel O’odham and Tohono O’odham tribes of the Southwest comprise the Pima people, many of whom have loose to tight curls.

• Seminole: Seminoles in Florida and Oklahoma include members with naturally curly tresses.

• Zuni: This Pueblo tribe from New Mexico contains many individuals with curly locks.

Additionally, tribes throughout the Americas likely had members with curly hair, even if less documented. The prevalence certainly varies between tribes and regions.

Historical Discrimination Against Curly Hair

Sadly, some Native Americans faced discrimination over curly hair textures in the past.

• Stereotyping: A myth emerged that all “real” Natives had straight, thick hair. Curly hair was stereotyped as a sign of African or European mixing rather than natural Native traits.

• Restricted rights: Bans from tribal rights, land ownership, and more were enforced against Native Americans deemed “not Indian enough” for having curly hair up until the 20th century.

• Destructive testing: Demeaning pencil tests were conducted by pressing a pencil into people’s hair and deeming curlier hair as non-Native, costing people their livelihoods.

• Pressure to straighten: Some Native Americans felt pressure to painfully straighten hair to avoid discrimination, erasing their natural texture.

While issues still exist today, acceptance of diverse Native hair textures is growing. Natives with curly hair proudly embrace it as part of their ancestral identity.

Natural Hair Care Tips for Curly Hair

If you have curly hair, Native American or otherwise, proper care is essential for healthy, defined curls. Here are some tips:

• Shampoo less often, 1-2 times per week, to avoid stripping natural oils.

• Use sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners.

• Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb when hair is wet and conditioned.

• Limit heat styling and processes that can damage and frizz curls.

• Try leave-in conditioners, creams, or gels to enhance definition and moisture.

• Use microfiber towels or t-shirts for gentler drying. Allow hair to air dry when possible.

• Wear protective styles like braids to give curls a rest between washes.

• Get regular trims to prevent ragged ends and split hairs from forming.

• Use a silk bonnet or pillowcase to reduce friction and frizz at night.

With the right hair care regimen, you can bring out the healthy, beautiful curls you were born with! Embrace and nurture your natural texture.

Famous Native Americans with Curly Hair

Many renowned Native American figures throughout history have proudly worn their natural curly locks. They serve as inspirations to love your hair today! Some trailblazers include:

Activists

• Richard Oakes (1942 – 1972): Mohawk activist for Native American rights who led the occupation of Alcatraz Island.

• Wilma Mankiller (1945 – 2010): Cherokee leader who became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

• Winona LaDuke (1959 – present): Ojibwe environmentalist and economist who ran for Vice President twice.

Athletes

• Jim Thorpe (1887–1953): Olympic gold medalist considered one of the most versatile athletes ever. He was Sauk and Fox.

• Sam Bradford (1987 – present): Star NFL quarterback who is part Cherokee and known for his curly hair.

• Joba Chamberlain (1985 – present): Major League Baseball pitcher of Ho-Chunk descent famous for his curly ponytail.

Actors

• Irene Bedard (1967 – present): Actress who played Native American characters in Pocahontas, The New World, and more. She is Inuit, Cree, and Métis.

• Booboo Stewart (1994 – present): Successful television/film actor, model, and dancer who is of Blackfoot and Japanese descent.

• Tanaya Beatty (1991 – present): Canadian actress who appeared in multiple TV shows and films. She is part Cree, Mohawk, and Blackfoot.

Curly hair is a naturally occurring trait among Native Americans that deserves appreciation, not discrimination. Movements embracing diverse hair textures help undo prejudiced views and celebrate the beauty in curly locks sported by Natives across North America. With proper care, curly hair thrives while honoring ancient Native lineages it comes from.