Nigerian content creator Maraji has sparked fresh conversations after speaking about natural hair and beauty standards. In a viral video, she questioned why many Black women feel they must wear wigs or hair extensions to feel beautiful. She asked,
“Why are we the only group of people who have to wear another texture of hair to feel beautiful?”
Her honest comments quickly got people talking across social media.
Maraji said she once believed Black people did not have “good hair.” However, that mindset changed when she decided to understand her own hair. She started wearing it in simple styles like buns. She also washed and cared for it regularly. As time passed, she began to love her natural hair. According to her,
“That made me want to know my hair. That made me want to understand my hair.”
She added that embracing her hair gave her a new level of confidence. The skit maker also shared why she dislikes the phrase “protective style.” Although she admitted that cornrows, all-back, and shuku are beautiful, she questioned why natural hair should stay hidden for most of the year.
“The idea that we are constantly protecting the hair annoys me. Because no other group of people keep their hair locked away 12 months in a year. The idea that they are protecting. From what?”
She also advised African women with naturally thin hair to be careful with heavy wigs and extensions. Maraji further spoke against judging women who proudly wear their natural hair. She recalled attending an interview with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu while wearing a fake afro bun over her packed hair.
Some people wrongly assumed she belonged to the Deeper Life church because of her hairstyle. She also praised wealthy women she met in Ghana who confidently wear locks, buns, relaxed hair, or their natural hair. According to Maraji, beauty should not depend on expensive wigs. Instead, she believes Black women should proudly embrace the hair that grows naturally from their heads.
