How does black hair reflect black history?

In early African civilisations, hairstyles could indicate a person's family background, tribe and social status.

"Just about everything about a person's identity could be learned by looking at the hair," says journalist Lori Tharps, who co-wrote the book Hair Story about the history of black hair.

Black hair has been an integral feature of black history - from African tribal styles to dreadlocks and the afro. As an exhibition in Liverpool investigates the significance of hair in black culture, BBC News takes a look at some of the key styles.

African Origins

In early African civilisations, hairstyles could indicate a person's family background, tribe and social status.

"Just about everything about a person's identity could be learned by looking at the hair," says journalist Lori Tharps, who co-wrote the book Hair Story about the history of black hair.

When men from the Wolof tribe (in modern Senegal and The Gambia) went to war they wore a braided style, she explains. While a woman in mourning would either not "do" her hair or adopt a subdued style.

"What's more, many believed that hair, given its close location to the skies, was the conduit for spiritual interaction with God."

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