A portrait of a Peuhl woman

The Peuhl women in French West Africa created their hairstyle by smearing the hair with palm oil or melted butter, and then giving it form by using stuffing of textiles or vegetable fibres, even bamboo supports. A rich assortment of jewels, rings, coins, pendants, beads, were then attached, while the hair itself was plaited with gold, cornaline, amber or glass beads. The styles varied from one region to another, and according to the age and social rank of the women.