Photography: African hair styles – in pictures

Oluweri headdress, 1972
'There are hundreds of ethnic groups in Nigeria, each with its own language, traditions and as many different hairstyles,' Ojeikere once said in an interview. 'The hairstyles are never exactly the same; each one has its own beauty' Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Traditional Ceremonial Suku, 1974 'To watch a hair artist going through his precise gestures, like an artist making a sculpture, is fascinating. Hairstyles are an art form' Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Shangalti, 1971 'Royal families have the exclusive right to their hairstyle, which cannot be imitated... it’s a mark of distinction. Their knowledge is transmitted from mother to daughter' Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Coiling Penny Penny, 1974
'Some styles sometimes need more than a week of work' Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Pineapple, 1969 Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Suku sinero/Kiko, 1974
Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Ataiai, 1970 Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Modern Suku, 1975 Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Onile Gogoro / Akaba, 1975
Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp

Eitne Uton Eku, 1971
Photograph: JD ’Ohkai Ojeikere/Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp