The culture we (black women) wear

Tell me a bit about yourself, what you do, where you're from etc.

I'm from East London in the Eastern Cape, but I'm of Senegalese descent and am a citizen of Senegal. I'm currently studying a BA in Law, Politics and French at the University of Cape Town.

Why do you wear your headscarf?

I wear the headscarf mainly for religious reasons. As a Muslim woman I believe it to be a symbol of modesty. More than that, as a woman in society that inherently sexualises women. I wear the hijab to force society to see me - not for my beauty - but for my character and intellect.

What does your headscarf symbolise to you?

Firstly it symbolises autonomy over the way I'm perceived in society. I think that hair is a very integral part of one's beauty so in choosing to cover my hair, I exercise autonomy over what I choose to show society and who gets to see what I show. In that sense, it symbolises a form of radical feminism. Secondly, in light of the current political climate that seeks to shame Islam as a religion that promotes sexism, I wear my hijab to go against contemporary perceptions of Islam and to prove to society that Islam is, in many ways, a sense of empowerment for me.

What is your view on the position of headscarves in the black woman's life?

My mom, being a hairdresser, always uses headscarves as a protective style net. In my culture we wear bright headscarves on a daily basis as part of contemporary fashion. As a black Senegalese woman, the head wrap/scarf represents the dissuasion of Islam into West Africa. In a broader sense I think that headscarves for black women in South Africa represent a reclamation of African beauty and fashion in the face of an ever westernising world.

Thank you to Mame Diara Mbaye for sharing her words. All images shot by Tshepang Pooe.