Bantu knots originate from the Zulu Kingdom of Southern Africa where the curls and coils of Black hair are said to resemble shapes in the cosmos. "When the Dutch colonized Southern Africa, they used the word Bantu as a derogatory term to marginalize southern Africans." South Africans reclaimed the Zulu word Bantu, which translates to people. In many African regions, hair is considered powerful, and it is believed to have unique spiritual energy due to its proximity to the heavens. Because of this, raised styles like Bantu knots are considered sacred.

Late 18th century in Louisiana, Black women were banned from wearing their hair in public and were ordered to cover it up at all times. This was because they wanted to curb the growing influence of the free black population and keep the social order. It was also believed that Black women's hairstyles would draw the attention of white men, and this increased the jealousy of white women.

1948, the pencil test was a method used

to assessing whether a person was White or Black. A pencil was slid into the hair of someone being assessed. If the pencil fell out you were White and if it stayed in you were Black. This was a tool used to segregate

Black people and stop them from attending functions, schools and events. Not only did this cause racial division it also tore families apart