Growing up, girls were taught to have their hair braided and oiled. Only on Sundays, she would wash her hair and leave it open to dry; in the evening, her mother would once again oil it and braid it up. This routine was more than just a grooming habit-it was a ritual that connected generations, embodying care, tradition, and familial bonds.

Yet, this practice also imposed limitations on personal expression, subtly shaping how girls viewed their own autonomy over their bodies. For those who yearned to experiment with different hairstyles or embrace a sense of individuality, this routine could feel confining, revealing the tension between cultural heritage and the desire for self-expression.

Acrylic on 12×12 canvas