https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230909/how-did-colonizers-impact-africas-beauty-standards--what-has-changed-since-then-1061988781.html
How Did Colonizers Impact Africa's Beauty Standards & What Has Changed Since Then?
How Did Colonizers Impact Africa's Beauty Standards & What Has Changed Since Then?
Sputnik Africa
Since its creation in 1995 by the Russian section of the International Committee of Aesthetics and Cosmetics, September 9 has been embraced as World Beauty... 09.09.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-09-09T15:26+0200
2023-09-09T15:26+0200
2023-09-09T15:26+0200
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chad
west africa
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"African beauty is diverse and captivating." However, it has been "strongly influenced" by Western standards "imposed by the colonizers or by low self-esteem", Zara Loksala Vanzou, the official in charge of social interventions and legal affairs at the parliament of young female leaders in Chad, told Sputnik Africa.On the occasion of World Beauty Day, she reflects on how the West has affected the perception of beauty in Africa.According to the Chadian official, the influence of Western culture can often be seen in Chad through the adoption of Western cosmetics, clothing trends, beauty standards, and practices like hair straightening or skin bleaching.This is despite the fact that "African beauty is usually characterized by richly pigmented skin, naturally curly or frizzy hair, and varied body shapes."Towards Changes?After the end of the colonial era, the situation changed, and beauty standards have "evolved significantly." Based on her research, Zara Loksala Vanzou pointed out that "current concepts of beauty may differ from traditional concepts of beauty in Chad."Globalization, the media and the Internet also play a role.There is "still a long way to go before some young people can understand that everyone has their own culture and beauty," said the official. However, she is delighted with the number of initiatives that people are already creating "to promote the beauty of Africa, and specifically of Chad."
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230829/south-african-female-official-reflects-on-significance-of-womens-month-for-nation--1061711187.html
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Maxim Grishenkin
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chad, west africa, west, culture, traditions, colonialism, women
chad, west africa, west, culture, traditions, colonialism, women
How Did Colonizers Impact Africa's Beauty Standards & What Has Changed Since Then?
Since its creation in 1995 by the Russian section of the International Committee of Aesthetics and Cosmetics, September 9 has been embraced as World Beauty Day. The aim of this holiday is to celebrate inner and outer beauty, as well as to emphasize the importance of the beauty industry.
"African beauty is diverse and captivating." However, it has been "strongly influenced" by Western standards "imposed by the colonizers or by low self-esteem",
Zara Loksala Vanzou, the official in charge of social interventions and legal affairs at the parliament of young female leaders in Chad,
told Sputnik Africa.On the occasion of World Beauty Day, she reflects on how the West has affected the perception of
beauty in Africa.
According to the Chadian official, the influence of Western culture can often be seen in Chad through the adoption of Western cosmetics, clothing trends, beauty standards, and practices like hair straightening or skin bleaching.
This is despite the fact that "African beauty is usually characterized by richly pigmented skin, naturally curly or frizzy hair, and varied body shapes."
After the end of the colonial era, the situation changed, and
beauty standards have "evolved significantly." Based on her research, Zara Loksala Vanzou pointed out that "current concepts of beauty may differ from traditional concepts of beauty in Chad."
Globalization, the media and the Internet also play a role.
"Traditional beauty criteria, which were based on physical characteristics specific to Chad, have gradually been replaced by more Westernized standards," the official remarked.
There is "still a long way to go before some young people can understand that everyone has their own culture and beauty," said the official. However,
she is delighted with the number of initiatives that people are already creating "to promote the beauty of Africa, and specifically of Chad."
"Many have learned to accept themselves and Chadian values. And thanks to these various initiatives, many Westerners have begun to adopt certain African cultures," she added.
