Ancient Rwandan Hairstyle: Amasunzu

 The amazing traditional Rwandan hairstyle of Amasunzu, 1920-1930

Amasunzu is a traditionally Rwandan hairstyle that was once worn by men, as well as by unmarried women in order to indicate to potential suitors that they were single and of marriageable age. The hair is styled into crests and is frequently described as crescent-shaped.

There are over thirty different styles of amasunzu worn by both men and women and often symbolized their different roles and status in the community. For men, amasunzu would show one’s power, bravery, and nobility, as well as prestige.

When worn by women, amasunzu was intrinsically linked to marital status and virginity and was only worn by teenage girls until they were married. After marriage, some women let their hair grow freely.

In a book, written by Marie Beatrice Umutesi, called Surviving the Slaughter: The Ordeal of a Rwandan Refugee in Zaire, it mentions a man who was held for some time in a Rwandan jail and in exile in Burundi because: “His behavior was considered subversive by the authorities, who faulted him for wearing a beard and not having the required Amasunzu haircut.”

The amasunzu style was designed by cutting some of the hair sideways, towards the middle, then leaving it to grow. Some designs look like circles into circles while some look like walls behind walls. 

People loved getting creative in how they wore the Amasunzu, and many villages held competitions to decide the best designs. Children dreamed of the day they would be old enough to wear the hairstyle.

The Amasunzu is much more than a style choice and according to The East African: “Rwandan etiquette is based on the body’s nature. This style was used to reflect important aspects such as might, hygiene, and, for unmarried girls, virginity. It was also a way to show class; powerful leaders, nobles, and the rich wore the hairstyle.”

The amasunzu hairstyle, having now largely lost its meaning, is slowly becoming popular among those who see it as a way to glorify the Rwandan culture that was lost during the colonialism and post-Rwandan civil war.

Lifestyle / March 30, 2020 / By Nelly Gachanja

Rwandans have always cherished and loved their culture and hair has always played a large role in their culture. Rwandans used to wear the amasunzu style in more than 30 different ways.

Amasunzu is a traditionally Rwandan hairstyle that was once worn by men, as well as by unmarried women in order to indicate to potential suitors that they were single and of marriageable age.

A man was identified as powerful, noble and brave if they had the hairstyle. It also showed prestige, especially among men.

According to theatre and film artiste John Kennedy Mazimpaka, 54, there were even competitions on who had the best amasunzu design. “The young were always very anxious to be old enough to sport the style,” he said.

Although the amasunzu has fallen out of style in recent decades, it is currently experiencing a revival in popular interest.

“If we open our arms to go back to our roots, we should do it proudly and wholeheartedly for the general society to benefit,” said Mazimpaka.

Isidole Ndikumana, director of cultural promotion at the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda, urged the youth who opt for amasunzu hairstyles to match it with decent dressing and behaviour in respect to the culture.

At the 90th Academy Awards, the cast of the wildly popular blockbuster Black Panther looked great, and no one more so than Hollywood’s darling, Lupita Nyong’O, unknown to many, her hair on the evening’s red carpet was inspired by images of Amasunzu hairstyles traditional to Rwandan culture.

Rather than a full-on stylish buzz cut, hairstylist Vernon François wove Nyong’O‘s lengths into a trio of braided segments that wrapped around her crown, a gold thread weaved delicately through the striking design

The traditional style is created by cutting some of the hair sideways, towards the middle, and then allowing it to grow into elaborate crescent-shapes.