Beauty standards in Africa
These are based on my observations as a black women living in South Africa. I draw these thoughts from the several countries I have visited in Africa, from surveying social media and me as a benchmark. As usual I will be including my personal experiences in how I realized that I fit into the standard of beauty and therefore considered beautiful in Africa. If you do not possess all of these beauty standards it does not mean you are ugly as they vary from country/ region of the continent, these are just an overview/generic idea. I will also be highlighting the hypocrisy and how unrealistic some of the beauty standards are. Here is a list of 10 beauty standards in Africa:
1. Light/lighter skin
If light skin is not beauty standard there wouldn’t be such a vast selection of illegal bleaching and skin lighting creams in our markets. I have personally experienced preference, envy and (pretty) privilege perks because of my light skin , and experienced a pretty privilege disadvantage where I was called (” A thanks God I am white”) meaning according to those “girls” I wouldn’t be considered beautiful if I didn’t have light skin ( Check my pretty privilege disadvantage blog post here: https://franciscafleur.com/disadvantages-of-pretty-privilege/
This is also an unrealistic standard for Africans because our darker skin tone actually protects us from the scorching sun we get in Africa (“often found in people of African descent, has natural sun protection due to higher melanin levels, which can reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. However, even with this natural protection, sunscreen is still important for all skin types.”)
2. Hourglass body figure
African women have always ben praised for their full figures. With the raise of BBLs it has just inflated the beauty standard in a non-naturalistic manner. I have witnessed it first hand when watching African influencer content (Especially my Nigerian sisters). I have watched and grown with some of the influencers and as soon as they can afford the procedure they go to Turkey. To fit into the beauty standard. It also does not help cause as women we knit pick these women’s body and since they are in the public eye they feel the need to look “perfect”. Further perpetuating the standard as also non-famous women/girls look up to them.
3. Slim thick weight
The ideal weight is between 55kg to 70kg, depending on ones height. The trend slim BBL has not affected the weight standard much in the African continent. Being skinny is kind of frowned upon (Last year, I was lost weight intentionally wanting to see how I would look, did my mom ask if I am okay “not sick” that time I was a mere 53kg from a 64kg), some skinny girls also get the “why are not eating” conversation from the older generation. Being fat, it depends on your fat distribution, again small waist and big butt is the standard.
4. Perky breast
Well this is somewhat of a standard worldwide. In Africa it is believed that perky breasts represent pureness (virginity). Bazaar, I know. We fail to alter the standard beauty of beauty for women after giving birth. All I have to say is if God wanted our breast to stay pointy and perky, he would have placed a bones.
5. Little to no tattoos and too much piercings
Although it is becoming more accepted in the urban areas. It is still odd and strange to find someone (black women) with full body tattoos and piercings being considered (marriage material). The older generation just call it demonic, especially in the rural/remote areas
6. Relaxed hair/ wigs and frontals
It is just sad even after decades of women being accepted for work with their natural hair, African hair is still not being embraced. Honestly the reactions one gets with a straight (buss down) wig is the same as with our natural 4c hair or in cornrows. You are assumed to be poor when you have 4c hair entering upscale places, even black women look down upon you. Accepted natural hair is usually 3c(for the mixed girlies) and 4b (when blown out). And that is how relaxed hair/wigs has made it to beauty standard’s list.
7. White teeth
This is just basic hygiene. White teeth and good smelling breath is just crucial and it adds to your appearance.
8. Hairy legs
Wooh, I might get heat for this one. Stems from the belief that if you are “hairy” (have a lot of hair on your legs and arms), then you are good in bed. I have experienced “praise” from men accompanied by a revolting “You know what they say about hairy women” and “envy” from women who seek male validation and want to be complimented on that. In south Africa and I know in Zimbabwe, shaving your legs/arms is not mandatory people do it cause they want but is certainly not usual to see fully unshaved legs/arms, but underarms please my people its not a good look. Double standards, maybe…
9. Small nose
A friend of mine in High school used to be praised for having what they called an “English nose”. Meaning a nose that a white person would have (small, thin and pointed). I mean guys really as long as your can breath and it frames your face, don’t stress yourself.
conclusion
The beauty standards mentioned above are mostly tailored for black African women. They are just a generic observation of the characteristics women that are deemed beautiful in Africa possess, every Region and country am sure have their own specifics, for example (The Mursi and Surma (Suri) tribes of Ethiopia are known for the women wearing clay lip plates, a tradition signifying beauty, fertility, and social status.) Share with me your thoughts and beauty standards in your country.
Leave a Reply