Serena Williams Shares the History of Hair Braiding in a Touching Photo With Her Daughter

The tennis champion posted an intimate photo with her 1-year-old daughter, Olympia.
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Just when we thought Serena Williams and her daughter Olympia couldn't get any cuter, they went ahead and proved us all wrong. The 37-year-old tennis champion frequently posts adorable photos of the two together, but her latest 'gram might just be her most aww-worthy one yet.

The post shows Williams braiding her baby's hair — looking extremely focused — while Olympia giggles, showing off one of the most adorable toothy smiles we've ever seen. (And ahem, those lashes, though.) The caption, as you might've guessed, is all about the cultural significance of braiding and what it means to be able to share the experience with her daughter.

"Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia. We have been braiding her hair for centuries," the caption reads. "In many African tribes braided hairstyles were a unique way to identify each tribe. Because of the time it would take people would often take the time to socialize. It began with the elders braiding their children, then the children would watch and learn from them. The tradition of bonding was carried on for generations, and quickly made its way across the world. I am honored to share this bonding experience with my own daughter and add another generation of historic traditions."

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Of course, the post garnered a slew of positive responses from fans who left comments like, "Ou my gosh did you just mentioned Namibia?🙌, "Come on queen that knows her history!!! Educate them, Serena," and "she looks so happy." Halle Berry herself left a comment, writing, "love this." What's more, the post has already amassed nearly 600,000 likes.

Thank you, Serena, for this uplifting Instagram moment and for using your platform to educate people. Olympia is one lucky little lady.


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