Categories: Black History & Culture, Hazel Rosetta Smith,
The Tignon law was established in 1786 by Governor Esteban Rodriguez in Louisiana, during the Spanish colonial period.
The law was mandated to control the appearance of Black women and prevent them from competing with white women for social status. Black hair has always been a topic of conversation and fascination in the world.
The law was passed during a time when creole, mulatto, and women of African descent would adorn their textured hair with gems, beads, and other accents that made them stand out from white women.
During this period, it is believed that white men found themselves increasingly attracted to the exotic looks of women of color and the elaborate hair styles enraged white women.
Women of color were mandated to wear a scarf or handkerchief over their hair as a visible sign of belonging to the slave class, whether they were enslaved or not. They could no longer wear their hair in styles that could imply they were of a higher status.
This tactic was enacted to obtain control to prevent the free black community from being too powerful. Systemically, white media weaponized images of Black women in headscarves – like the Aunt Jemima stereotype – to sell the narrative that they are unattractive, servile, and submissive, reinforcing gender and racial hierarchies through caricatures and control.
The law used to prohibit black women’s hair as a symbol of oppression turned into a symbol of self-expression and empowerment. Black women followed the law; however, they turned the headdress into a mark of distinction.
Despite the oppressive nature of the Tignon law, Black women reversed this restriction into a form of cultural expression. They began to adorn their tignon with vibrant fabrics, ribbons, and jewelry, transforming the headscarf into a symbol of pride and identity, rather than shame.
Within the 1960s and 1970s, Nina Simone and Angela Davis were known for wearing headwraps as a statement of resistance against racial discrimination and injustice and as a reclamation of Black beauty, pride, and culture.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, artists such as India Arie, and Erykah Badu showcased the reclamation of the headscarf as a beauty and cultural symbol.
From fashion designers and celebrities, headscarves displayed the versatility of the once law-abiding tool into a stylish accessory of Black pride, which can be worn in assorted designs.
The Tignon laws reflect the broader historical patterns of racial discrimination and the policing of Black identity in America, which is seen to the present day.
Recollection of the Tignon laws serve as a reminder of the resilience of Black women, who have historically found ways to express their beauty and culture despite systemic restrictions.
As we come to the end of the designated 28 days devoted to Black History, it would behoove all of us to want to know more about the history of a great race of people who have endured, survived, and are thriving. Black History is American history, never to be forgotten or erased. We must tell our stories of how we got over and still we rise.
