The IX Hairdressers and Afro-hairdos contest, “Knitting Hopes” took place last weekend, (May 11-12, 2013) in Cali, Colombia, sponsored by the Programa Nacional de Concertación del Ministerio de Cultura.

In its ninth iteration, scheduled during African Heritage Month, the contests seeks to celebrate African-style hairdos as a distinctive elements of black neighborhoods and to reaffirm African identity through the practice of hairdressing.

The second forum on “our Hair Our Resistance” took place in the context of the contest, with the participation of scholars like Lolia Pomare de San Andrés and Ayesha Fleary of the United States.

At the Parque Artesanal Loma de la Cruz the public could find the largest Afro Hair Salon in the world, where anyone who wanted a hairdo could get one at low cost. A contest took place at the park, with prizes awarded in three categories: women’s men’s and girls’ hairdos.

For the original report  (in Spanish) go to http://www.mincultura.gov.co/?idcategoria=52496

For a photo gallery go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/22510893

For more information in Spanish) go to http://www.eltiempo.com/Multimedia/galeria_fotos/curiosidades6/en-cali-se-realizo-el-ix-encuentro-de-peinadoras-y-concurso-de-peinados-afros_12797617-5 and http://vidayestilo.terra.com.mx/mujer/belleza/peinados-afrocolombianos-la-competencia-tradicional-en-cali,b531f8f8f00ae310VgnVCM5000009ccceb0aRCRD.html (VIDEO)