Kardoun or Qardoun is a traditional Algerian hair accessory that is used to protect the hair and keep it straight.[1][2] It is a long, narrow ribbon made of silk or cotton, usually red and orange,[3] wrapped tightly around the head to flatten the hair and keep it in place.[4] The ribbon is usually worn under a scarf or other head covering. The word "qardoun" comes from the Arabic word "qarad", which means to straighten or flatten.[5][6][7]

Kardoune
Traditional Algerian kardoun.
Alternative namesKardoune, Kardoun, Kerdoune, Qardoun
Place of origin

The use of kardoun in Algeria dates back to the early 1800s,[8][9][10] and it is still a popular hair accessory among Algerian women today. This is a cold straightening method that involves holding the hair tightly and for an extended period of time.[11][12]

To use a kardoun, the hair is first brushed and gathered at the back of the head. The qardoun ribbon is then wrapped tightly around the head, starting from the root of the ponytail and working towards the ends. The ribbon is wrapped multiple times to create a flat and smooth surface, and then secured in place.[13][14]

In addition to being a practical hair accessory, kardoun is also a symbol of Algerian cultural identity and heritage. Many Algerian women take pride in wearing the kardoun as a way to connect with their cultural roots and express their individuality.[15]

The Algerian hair accessory has been featured in pop culture and fashion in recent years. In 2019, the British fashion brand ASOS released a range of headscarves inspired by North African and Middle Eastern cultures, which included the use of kardoun in their designs. In addition, several fashion bloggers and influencers have incorporated the kardoun into their hairstyles and showcased it on social media platforms such as Instagram.[16] The kardoun has also been highlighted in various cultural events and exhibitions, such as the "North Africa United" event in Paris in 2018.[17][18]

References

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  1. ^ "Le Kardoune, Méthode Algérienne pour lisser les cheveux naturellement". topdestinationsalgerie.com. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  2. ^ Truquin, Norbert (1888). Mémoires et aventures d'un prolétaire à travers la Révolution: l'Algérie, la République Argentine et le Paraguay (in French). Bouriand.
  3. ^ Sovadrevna, Emeline (2016-10-28). 14 commandements pour prendre soin de ses cheveux naturellement (in French). Fernand Lanore. ISBN 978-2-85157-809-9.
  4. ^ de VILLEFOSSE, Louis. "Sur le testament de Mounier." Europe 34.125 (1956): 196.
  5. ^ Quiminal, Catherine (1990). "Cultures dévoilées". Hommes & Migrations. 1129 (1): 59–60. doi:10.3406/homig.1990.1419.
  6. ^ Hatin, Eugène (1840). Histoire pittoresque de l'Algérie (in French). Bureau central de publication.
  7. ^ "Kardoune cheveux: utilisation, bienfaits et plus encore". Des idées de l'intérieur, du jardin, de l'ameublement et de la décoration. (in French). 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  8. ^ Fisquet, Honoré (1842). Histoire de l'Algérie depuis les temps anciens jusqu'à nos jours, etc (in French). A la Direction. p. 88.
  9. ^ Hatin, Eugène (1840). Histoire pittoresque de l'Algérie (in French). Bureau central de publication. p. 224.
  10. ^ Eze (pseud.), Gabriel d'; Èze (pseud.), Gabriel d'; Marcel, A. (1886). Histoire de la coiffure des femmes en France ... (in French). Ollendorff.
  11. ^ Boblin, Frédérique (2001). "QUATRE S{Oelig}URS : Hier, en Algérie, aujourd'hui, en France". Quatre S{Oelig}Urs (in Italian): 1–158.
  12. ^ "Lisser ses cheveux sans chaleur? On a testé le kardoune et le plaquage mexicain". RTBF (in French). Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  13. ^ Marçais, Georges (1930). Le costume musulman d'Alger (in French). Plon. p. 110.
  14. ^ Boumaza, Ania (2022-12-14). "Une "influenceuse" française teste et approuve le kardoune algérien". www.algerie360.com (in French). Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  15. ^ Khiari, Rabiaa. "Hair Culture in Algeria: An Overview". Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research.
  16. ^ "The Benefits of Using A Kardoune, The Algerian Healthy Hair Straightening Method. – Socialunseen". Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  17. ^ "Come asciugare i capelli d'estate senza phon: i metodi per ricci e chiome lisce". Donna Fanpage (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  18. ^ "Comment lisser ses cheveux sans chaleur ?". Cosmopolitan.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-02-26.