It's Just Hair

So lately everybody and their cousin seems to be on about natural hair. If you're part on the blog world (in fact even if you aren’t)  you’ll have noticed the many many many...many articles, websites and fan pages dedicated to natural hair. If you’re a natural like me chances are you love it and hope this “trend” carries on for as long as society/pop culture/ the powers that be can stomach it.  If you’re not a natural haired girl I suspect you’re sick of it. Us naturals have a way of shoving our less-than-modest and sometimes damn near militant opinions of girls who rock weaves, perms and/or relaxed hair in everybody’s face.  Then again you may not care either way. Hair is just hair right?

No matter which category you fall into you must be amazed but how much of a “thing” natural hair has become. I can’t speak for anybody else but my hair journey turned out to have very little to do with hair and more to do with self understanding and self acceptance. Like most African kids my love affair with the creamy crack started fairly young. I was convinced (no fault of my mother) that my kinky African hair was unmanageable and must be straightened. This love affair continued on and off until my first year of Uni. My first roommate had long natural hair. To be honest besides one random cousin we all assumed was low-key adopted or something, I had ever met anyone with long beautiful 100% natural hair. I saw it on TV but didn’t personally know any of those people so I simply didn’t think it was possible for people like me to grow long hair. After lusting over my roomies hair for some months, I decided to give it a try. It wasn’t like I would be giving much up anyway. My dad has awesome hair’ I started to wonder if maybe under the layers of relaxer I did too.

I did my first big chop in December 2008. Then again in December 2009 and most recently January 1^st 2016. On that cliché “new year-new me” tip. Each BC was its own adventure. The first was such a big deal, I hadn’t been natural in almost a decade and it was the start of my experimentation season. Different hair, different outfits, throw in a few piercings and I was your typical uni-chick trying to figure out who she was.

The second was a necessity; severe heat damage due to a love affair with hot ironing. This phase lasted the longest and I guess this is when I first really learnt how to take care of my hair and how big a deal having natural hair is sometimes. In a world that subliminally tells you hair should be straight, your nose narrow and your skin light. Choosing to be the opposite is kinda an achievement.  

My third BC was just me itching for something new and coming full circle. Hair is just hair. It goes back. So chill out and do you boo. Rock that weave, get that perm and if it makes you happy dye it suicide-squad-joker green. Don’t let these hair Nazis (is that PC?) kill your vibe.

Having said all that here is a picture of me giving you as much "poised and mature" as I can muster on any given day. FYI The squinty eyes were on purpose. I think they give a "come hither" look.

 Don't you agree? 

Me

Luwi...

An ode to Maun

I miss home. Some days more than others and while Lusaka is home now my heart will always belong to Maun.

Leaving Maun and Botswana was such a big deal for me. I grew up in an awesome and not so little village. It helped mould me into the awesome and "humble" human I am today.  A lot of who I am; views on Africa, life and especially what it's like to be foreign or different stemmed from growing up in this amazing place. Its great place to grow up, lots of adventure and fun things to do, lots of crazy stories. So this post is an ode to Maun and what makes it so fatalistically unique. 

Consider this my personal guide to Maun

Picture: I stole from the Internets

1. Livestock trump humans

This will be one of the first things you notice. Goats, Cows and especially Donkeys. Do not be alarmed, they are friendly and just want food and water. Prepare to stop regularly for livestock when driving, particularly at pedestrian crossing often frequented by goats. Also prepare to want to punch a Donkey in the face. They are stubborn and are best treated with respect, its not like you have much of a choice anyway.

2.Everyone will talk to you

Yes everyone. The taxi driver, The random person next you in the taxi, the random person next to you in the grocery store. Note this does not count if you’re white, it may happen but it’s not guaranteed. Maun people are friendly and talking to strangers seems to be part of the experience. Small communities are like that I guess. 

3.Weird Tourists

There are two types of tourist. The Ultra-rich ones that fly straight from their mansions to the Okavango delta, via a few airports and such. You won’t interact with many of these but its good to know they exist. The second kind is the more common kind. The backpacker often travelling through Africa with friends as some kind of “life experience”.  They love third world countries, saving poor Africans and partying in the process ( the two are not mutually exclusive you know). They may or may not shower regularly, they may or may not think that shoes are necessary. They will be a fun bunch though.

4.Even Weirder fashion

Pretty sure the  Marokara-movement started in Maun. If you’re wondering what is, join us, we’re all wondering. It’s basically a gang or clique of men who are really into heavy metal, but dress like cowboys except in all black leather. Down to the stirrups or their boots. It’s a mish-mash of cultures, Heavy Metal meets Cowboy in Africa. Needless to say It’s fun to watch, they’re pretty big on exhibitionism.

5. The Juxtaposition. Yes big word. So far you may have the idea that Maun is a rural african village. It is not. We can give you KFC and Nandos (because chicken comes first). Fast internet,  Woolworths, direct flights to Jorburg and Cape Town, Fashion, good food and coz you know you love to be one with nature boat cruises and flights over the delta. Don't get it twisted Maun caters to all your needs.

My favourite place in Maun

Before this starts to sound like a Botswana Tourism Board Plug Imma leave it right there. Check it Maun. Its lovely. You'll wanna go back, I know I do. 

Luwi