Throughout Madagascar's history, like some other countries in the world, hair type has always been a subject of discrimination. It is quite a sensitive topic within the Malagasy community, and it is not often talked about. In central Madagascar where the dominant ethnic group is the Merina - originally from Malaysia and Indonesia, the dominant beauty standard remains straight hair; and people with curly or afro hair are often victims of stigmatizing remarks.

Such discriminations rooted in the ancient history of Madagascar. Generally speaking, hair types were associated with castes. In the past, light-skinned individuals with straight hair belonged to the noble class and dark-skinned individuals with frizzy hair to the slave one. It is true that slavery was officially abolished in Madagascar in 1896, but still, prejudices persist.

For this reason, having a blow-dry every week is an almost common practice for women in Antananarivo. There are hair salons all over the capital, but they are mostly specialized in straightening and rarely in treating curly or afro hair.

Therefore, the taboo of curly hair has been broken by some young girls in Madagascar.

Many Malagasy women have recently decided to stop straightening and accept their natural hair. They have started to become “Nappy” — that movement which advocates the return of natural hair—in their own ways. More recently, quite a few groups and communities on Facebook have been created to encourage Malagasy people with curly, afro, or frizzy hair to accept their natural hair and not to fit in the standard of society. It is not just about showing off beautiful pictures on Facebook; the challenge is much bigger: it is about imposing oneself in society and assuming one’s hairstyle.

For Rotsy Koloina Andriamanantsoa, a young Malagasy actress, going back to her natural and curly hair has only brought positive changes in her life:

"I am more than ever proud of myself, proud of my hair. I feel free and I am not afraid of rain or sweating or anything that could damage my blow-dry. I live better now because I accept myself as I am. I accept my hair and I am not the only one, which is reassuring. We are all beautiful. It is true that it is not easy to live under certain social and cultural pressures. It is tiring to hear that only having straight hair makes you look pretty. Just be proud of yourself, and do not be afraid to show your true nature because there is no more wonderful thing than accepting yourself and taking care of what is created for you."

Source: Curly Aho Community, Rotsy Koloina Andriamanantsoa