In times past, even at present hair-dos or styles perform several roles among Yoruba; these functions or roles include: medium of communication, mark of initiation, state of mind, religious beliefs, marital and social status of women in the society. For instance, a hair style from the forehead which ends at the back of the neck shows the carrier is married; besides, married women carry hair styles from both sides of the head, and finish up at the middle of the head in such a network shape that connect the forehead and back together. On the other hand, maiden style runs from the right side of the head to the left ear. The smaller, and the more hair strands a young lady carries, the more beautiful such a lady will look. Maidens usually carry hair-style of 8 to 14 strands, in braided or wrapped form.
One of the most beautiful and advantageous aspects of wearing our hair in its natural state are the endless possibilities for styling. Although there is a nostalgic timelessness to box braids, don’t limit the boundaries of your kinky coif. When in doubt, it’s best to take things back to their roots. Traditional African hairstyles not only display a unique creative niche, but also signify important cultural aspects synonymous with a specific group or region.
Head occupies a pre-eminent place compare with other parts of the body; so too, the hair that covers the head. The culture and tradition of hair-do is rooted in both spiritual and biological roles of individual head. The head is treasured and respected, because, it is the center of body activity; through hair-do and care, Ori (head) is highly esteemed.
SHUKU (also called Suku, means basket): This is quite simple and it is one of the most popular in Nigeria. It is a form of braiding in which the hair runs from the forehead to the nape of the neck or forms a rump on top of the head. When shuku is blended with koroba, it is called orishabumni. Historically, it was only the wives of kings that could make shuku but that change over time and anyone can now adorn the style.