Chroma: An Ode to J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere

In her series "Chroma: An Ode to J.D. 'Okhai Ojeikere", photographer Medina celebrates women's hair styles in Nigeria and pays tribute to Nigerian photographer J. D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere (1930-2014) who photographed women's hair in black-and-white and, over forty years, took inventory of more than 1.000 styles. With "Chroma", Medina aims to preserve but also encourage this ancient practice and hair culture, methods that date back thousands of years (via).

"Prior to de-colonisation, wigs and hair straightening had become popular, especially in urban areas of the country. Today, some of the more intricate and traditional styles risk abandonment once again as a result of the influence of social media and global trends. Cities today around the world resemble each other more and more, with gentrification diluting individuality and cultural specificity in favor of a prevailing mainstream model. As the world becomes more and more connected, new opportunities, influences and understanding arise, however the social and cultural practices which contribute to the character of a civilization and its people remains an essential component of understanding our past and future."
Medina

photographs by Medina via/more