“Quem trança uma vez não deixa de trançar nunca mais”: raça, gênero e sociabilidades em um salão afro

Abstract

This thesis investigates the Afro Braids Salon in Santos Dumont, Minas Gerais, as a multifaceted space that integrates Black aesthetics, sociability, and social projects. Located in the city center, the salon serves as a meeting point for creating and discussing braided hairstyles, as well as a space for promoting Afro-Brazilian culture and the self-esteem of Black women. The research highlights how the salon, designed to foster listening and appreciation of Black aesthetics, also acts as an agent of social transformation through events and projects aimed at enhancing Black aesthetics. It is observed that braiders play a crucial role in forming lasting bonds with clients, reinforcing the cultural significance of braided hairstyles and their impact on the self-esteem and identity of Black women. The understanding that coarser hair benefits from braided hairstyles is a notable characteristic among the salon’s clients