“Why are we the only ones?” — Maraji says Black women should embrace their natural hair

Nigerian content creator Maraji has sparked conversations on social media after encouraging Black women to embrace their natural hair instead of relying on wigs and hair extensions to feel beautiful.

Speaking in a viral video, the comedian questioned why Black women often feel pressured to wear hair textures different from their own, saying the mindset made her reconsider her relationship with her natural hair.

Maraji shares her natural hair journey

According to Maraji, she once believed Black people did not have “good hair,” a mindset that pushed her to understand and appreciate her natural hair.

“Why are we the only group of people who have to wear another texture of hair to feel beautiful? Why are we the only people who have to protect our hair? Like put it in cornrows and then wear another texture of hair.”

She added that learning to care for and wear her natural hair changed her perspective.

“That made me want to know my hair. That made me want to understand my hair. So I started wearing my hair. I started putting it in a bun. It was really short but I just wanted to wear my hair. I was washing it as much as much as I could and then I started to enjoy my hair.”

Criticises the idea of “protective styles”

Maraji also expressed her dislike for the phrase “protective style,” saying it frustrates her because she believes no other group of people feels the need to keep their natural hair covered all year.

“And that was when I started hating the idea of protective style. Genuinely. Every time I hear that phrase, it annoys me.”

While acknowledging that hairstyles such as cornrows, all-back and shuku are beautiful and elegant, she questioned the constant emphasis on hiding natural hair.

“The idea that we are constantly protecting the hair annoys me. Because no other group of people keep their hair locked away 12 months in a year. The idea that they are protecting. From what?”

She further argued that many Africans naturally have thin hair and therefore should be cautious about wearing heavy hair attachments.

Speaks against judging women with natural hair

Maraji recalled attending an interview with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu while wearing a fake afro bun over her packed natural hair, revealing that some people wrongly associated her appearance with a religious group.

“People were like, is she deeper life? I’m deeper life because I want my natural hair.”

She also criticised those who look down on women who choose to wear their natural hair instead of expensive wigs.

According to Maraji, she has met many wealthy women in Ghana who confidently wear locks, buns, relaxed hair or their natural hair without relying on wigs.

“The people I’m talking to who have assets, lands, cars, houses, they’re wearing locks. They have locks. Or they have natural hair. Or they have it in a bun. Or they have a relaxed hair. Like it is the one that grows on their skull. But me, my whole head is rich man, yes.”

Watch the video here…

“Why are we the only people who have to wear another texture of hair to feel beautiful?” — Content creator Maraji urges Black women to wear their natural hair. pic.twitter.com/ykhx2q71G5

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) July 16, 2026