'The Braid Whisperers' In Mali

Hair braiding is an art form. It's not simply a way to style your hair, but also a skill that can highlight a wide range of social & cultural identities: ethnicity, age, status, and religion, amongst others. As the likes of J.D. Okhai Ojeikere have previously documented, there are endless braiding technics and styles, from spirals to complex curves. This month, Marie Claire published The Braid Whisperers, which showcases Malian braiders photographed by Jean Friedman-Rudovsky. Scroll through our gallery above to view the initial images and let us know what you think by tweeting @okayafrica with #braidswhisperers.