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Don't Touch My Hair

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Don't Touch My Hair

By: Emma Dabiri
Narrated by: Emma Dabiri
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About this listen

Straightened. Stigmatised. 'Tamed'. Celebrated. Erased. Managed. Appropriated. Forever misunderstood. Black hair is never 'just hair'.

This book is about why black hair matters and how it can be viewed as a blueprint for decolonisation. Emma Dabiri takes us from pre-colonial Africa, through the Harlem Renaissance, Black Power and on to today's Natural Hair Movement, the Cultural Appropriation Wars and beyond. We look at everything from hair capitalists like Madam C.J. Walker in the early 1900s to the rise of Shea Moisture today, from women's solidarity and friendship to 'black people time', forgotten African scholars and the dubious provenance of Kim Kardashian's braids.

The scope of black hairstyling ranges from pop culture to cosmology, from prehistoric times to the (afro)futuristic. Uncovering sophisticated indigenous mathematical systems in black hairstyles, alongside styles that served as secret intelligence networks leading enslaved Africans to freedom, Don't Touch My Hair proves that far from being only hair, black hairstyling culture can be understood as an allegory for black oppression and, ultimately, liberation.

©2019 Emma Dabiri (P)2019 Penguin Audio Art Beauty, Grooming & Style Gender Studies Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences Africa Thought-Provoking Discrimination Social justice

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Critic reviews

Emma Dabiri's groundbreaking Don't Touch My Hair is a scintillating, intellectual investigation into black women and the very serious business of our hair, as it pertains to race, gender, social codes, tradition, culture, cosmology, maths, politics, philosophy and history, and also the role of hairstyles in pre-colonial Africa (Bernardine Evaristo)
I've been pleasantly engrossed this autumn in Emma Dabiri's nonfiction debut Don't Touch My Hair. Part memoir, part spiky, thoroughly researched socio-political analysis, it delves deep into the painful realities and history of follicular racism (Diana Evans)
Groundbreaking...Her sources are rich, diverse and sometimes heartbreaking. Some books make us feel seen and for me, that is what Don't Touch My Hair does. I would urge everyone to read it (Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff)
All stars
Most relevant
A really fascinating look at the significance of hair and a really interesting look at the long lasting impacts of colonialism. So worth reading!!

Brilliant read it!

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I love this audiobook and enjoyed every minute of it! it was highly educational and eyeopening to the history that's never taught in school! will definitely listen again

an excellent, enjoyably education listen

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Richly researched through out. I’ve booked marked some of the things I want to go back on and research myself at some stage and will probably listen to it again as there was so much information, I’ve probably missed something.

Great performance, Easy to listen to and to understand. I’ve also lived in some of her moments but even understood the ones that didn’t relate to me. Will recommend this book for sure.

I loved it.

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Loved the narration in Emma's soft Irish accent. Many points resonated with me regarding my Hair struggles over the years. Very informative of my African history.

Good book, very informative

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This has to be hands down one of the best informative books on the topic of black hair and it’s history.

It was revelatory from the very start. Unfolding the history of black hair and culture.

Having thick coarse afro hair myself, it was both elevating and inspiring.

A great read for anyone.

Amazing!!

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