Before colonization, African standards of beauty were holistic, symbolic, and affirming. Beauty was not about perfection or imitation, but about meaning, vitality, and identity. Many Features and values were celebrated as signs of blessing, health, femininity, joy, ancestry, and social harmony. African beauty honored abundance over scarcity, individuality over uniformity, and spirit over surface. A beautiful person was one who carried life well in body, character, presence, and connection to com