Habibata Ouarme

With candor, humour and courage, a group of African-Canadian women challenge cultural taboos surrounding female sexuality and fight to take back ownership of their bodies. Combining her own journey with personal accounts from some of her radiant, endearing friends, co-director Habibata Ouarme explores the phenomenon of female genital mutilation and the road to individual and collective healing, both in Africa and in Canada.

Each braid, each curl, each hairstyle reflects a collective memory. 1001 Crowns immerses you in an experience where hair becomes an act of self-affirmation and identity. By giving voice to historians, sociologists, dancers, hairdressers, and contemporary women, the film offers an exploration of the history and evolution of African and Afro-descendant hairstyles from the ancient civilizations of the continent to the contemporary expressions of the diaspora. From the scourge of slavery to emancipation, from civil rights struggles to the rise of Black Pride movement in today’s popular culture, these hairstyles stand as a testament to a rich heritage with deep cultural, social, and economic impact.