naaniMODEL Nia Shani

October 2004 Journal
How was your hair styled before you went natural/dreadlocked?
Short twist style for about 4 years. Before that shoulder length and permed.

What did you like/dislike about your previous hairstyle?
I loved the versatility of the twists, but once my hair grew longer it took too long to twist my hair each weekend. I washed my hair once a week so I spent a lot of time twisting. When I had a perm, my hair never really got that straight. I was always trying to keep the "kitchen" from showin'' up. I got tired of running from the rain and bad hair stylists who left perm residue on my scalp.

How long have you been natural/had dreadlocks?
11 years natural, 7 years locked.

Why did you decide to go natural/grow dreadlocks?
Growing locks was a natural decision for me. The forces of nature (my hair) refused to allow anything else. I was working for IBM when my twists started to get longer and longer and my patience and time were wearing thin. I decided to put a perm in my hair, but the perm wouldn't take. I took it as a sign and immediately twisted my hair and never took it out.

Nia Shani's Vital Statistics

Nickname: Nia Shani
Relationship Status: In a relationship
Zodiac: Libra
Favorite Musicians:  Bob Marley, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Amel Larrieux, Sade, India Arie, Maxwell
Favorite Songs: Be Real Black For Me - Donnie Hathaway; A House is Not a Home - Luther Vandross; Always - Stevie Wonder
Favorite Poems: Nikki Givanni - "Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day," "A Poem of Friendship," "If I Were a Poet;" Maya Angelou - "Phenomenal Woman"
Favorite Novels: Assata, An Autobiography. The Farming of Bones, Krik Krak, Edwidge Danticat. The Da Vinci Code

October 2004 Dreadlocks Journal Continued...

How did you go natural (i.e. cold turkey, growing it out...)? Why did you choose this method?
The last straw was when my hairstylist left perm residue on my scalp after a hair appointment. I was on my way to celebrate an anniversary with my boyfriend at the time and I felt this tingling sensation on my scalp. I rushed to the bathroom to discover a patch of relaxer still there. I had to dunk my head under running water immediately. There's a section of my hair that's never been the same since. I felt like "Shorty" in the movie Malcolm X.

I was just sick of the perm. I let my hair grow out a few inches, then I cut it off myself.  I wore a hat for an entire year during college. At that time, I wasn't as secure with my natural hair as I am now. It took a little while for me to get used to it.

How did you start your dreadlocks (palmrolls, twists, braids...)? Why did you choose this method?
I read the books Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Weaves When the Chemicals Became Too Ruff by L. Bonner and Hairlocking: Everything You Need to Know: African, Dread, & Nubian Locks by N. Evans after seeing her on the Oprah Show. I read them cover to cover in a day and started my locs with a two-strand twist. It seemed like the easiest way to go for my hair. I palm rolled it each time I washed my hair to lock the new growth.

Who maintains your locks/natural hair (you or a stylist)?
I do. I've been to stylist once and that was last year.

How did your family/friends/lovers react to your hair initially? How do they react now?
My boyfriend in college wouldn't even touch my hair when it was a short fro. He was extremely uncomfortable with the change I made. My mother was shocked but like the rest of my family and close friends, she was very supportive. Now, of course, everyone I know (and strangers I don't know) love it. I get stopped in the street on a daily basis. Sometimes I have to remind myself that people stare not because they are being rude, but because they are very intrigued with my hairstyle.

What problems with your hair have you encountered in the workplace/social settings?
None. Unfortunately there are still stigmas that we (black folk) place on each other about natural hairstyles. I don't give any credence to them. Either you like me the way I am or you don't. We seem to care more about what effects it may have in the workplace than we should. On a positive note, I do think that brothers are much more comfortable with natural styles now than when I first started locing seven years ago.

What do you love most about your hair?
It's long, healthy, and natural. I don't have to spend a fortune for it to look and smell nice. It's versatile and resilient. I can play in the rain, swim in the ocean and workout out all in the same day if want to and it still looks good. It reflects who I am: natural, free-spirited, strong.

What bothers you the most about your hair?
I don't get bothered by my hair. I do experience different moods and sometimes I choose to cut it, then I wish it was long. When it grows really long, I want to cut it.

Have you ever colored your natural hair/locks? Do you still color it? What were the results?
No. I''ve thought about coloring it, but I like my natural color. In the summertime, I sometimes put lemon juice on it and sit in the sun. I''ve tried a deep red henna once, but it didn''t alter it much at all.

If you could dreadlock all over again, what would you do differently?
Nothing.

What has having a natural/dreadlocks taught you about yourself/others?
When you're comfortable with yourself and take the time to love who you are, no matter what style you rock, others will appreciate your uniqueness. If they don't it really doesn't matter to you because you're comfortable with yourself. I notice that I don't spend as much time or money worrying about my hair which allows me to take care of more important things.

I've learned that people make assumptions about because of your hairstyle. People didn't approach me by saying "What's up my beautiful African Queen?" until I started wearing a natural. It's an interesting dynamic beacause wearing a natural doesn't determine how african or royal you are.

One thing that I really enjoy, is the unspoken respect that is exchaned between two loced heads. It may present itself as a smile, a wink, or a head nod. It's nice to spiritiually connect with someone that you don't know. 

Since I began wearing a natural, 90% of my friends have adopted a natural style and I started my mother's locks last year. It's contagious!

What's your advice to those interested in going natural/dreadlocking?
Do you. The only thing that matters is how you feel about yourself. It is a process that will force you to exercise patience, acceptance and committment. What are you waiting for?

If your hair had a name and a personality, what's its name and describe its personality.
Karasi (Car-a-sigh): Life & Wisdom.

My hair is like a grandmother who's seen many moons. It takes time to get to know her, what's she's been through, and the source that keeps her strong and healthy. She's steady, expressive and dependable through all seasons.

Any Additional Information?
I'm a clinical massage therapist. You can find me at healingsoles.com.  I enjoy the arts and take the time to act, write, or play the piano whenever I can.

I'm also vegan and I LOVE to cook.

~ End Journal Entry - October 2004 ~