Chapter 5: Crown Geometry

To those sensitive to such truths, it is no coincidence that the word "kinky," which is also used to describe certain sexual activities, is applied to the hair of a people. Given that pubic hair is related to the sexual organs, the application of this specific word can be seen as a deliberate, spiritually significant act rather than a mere accident of language. Therefore, to reclaim the inherent nobility and 'regality' of this hair texture, we will use the word "Kingly" in place of "kinky", after all, it is a crown we’re discussing.

 

When these coils are arranged and styled, they create intricate patterns that are rich with meaning. The art of **braiding**, for example, is a form of living geometry. The three-strand braid is a physical representation of the concept of unity and strength, the idea that three individual strands, when woven together, are stronger than the sum of their parts. This is a principle that has been understood and applied in African societies for millennia, both in the physical construction of ropes and textiles and in the social construction of families and communities.

Cornrows, another ancient and powerful styling technique, are a form of linear geometry, a series of parallel lines that can be arranged in an infinite variety of patterns. In many parts of Africa, cornrows were not just a hairstyle; they were a form of communication, a visual language that could convey a wealth of information about the wearer. The specific patterns could indicate a person’s clan lineage, age, marital status, wealth, and social position. During the transatlantic slave trade, cornrows took on a new and urgent meaning. Enslaved Africans used cornrows to create maps of escape routes, braiding the paths to freedom into their hair. They also used their hair to hide seeds, carrying the sustenance of their homeland with them into a new and hostile world. `[1]` The crown, in this context, became a tool of survival, a secret archive of resistance and hope.

 

The geometry of Black hair also reflects the principles of fractal geometry. Fractals are repeating, self-similar patterns, where the same basic shape is seen at every level of magnification. This mathematical principle is found throughout nature, in the branching of trees, the formation of coastlines, and the structure of snowflakes. The coiled, branching patterns of Black hair are a living example of fractal geometry. This is not just a superficial resemblance; it is a reflection of a deep, underlying mathematical order. The fractal nature of Black hair is a testament to its connection to the natural world, a sign that it is a part of the same intricate and beautiful design that governs the universe.