Though natural hairstyles are still discouraged in the workplace, more women are joining the natural hair movement. A community group called Nappys De Babi has garnered 8,500 fans.
Nappys de Babi —
Though natural hairstyles are still discouraged in the workplace, more women are joining the natural hair movement. A community group called Nappys De Babi has garnered 8,500 fans.
Oliver Kwai/ Courtesy Ren Zen Up
American transplant Bibi Gnagno moved to the Ivory Coast and became fascinated with Coastians attitudes towards hair. She is working on a documentary on the subject called "Is that (all) your hair?"
Hair documentary —
American transplant Bibi Gnagno moved to the Ivory Coast and became fascinated with Coastians attitudes towards hair. She is working on a documentary on the subject called "Is that (all) your hair?"
Courtesy Bibi Gnagno
Gnagno is also a natural hair consultant. She helps women learn to ditch chemical relaxers and embrace the hair they were born with.
Natural consultant —
Gnagno is also a natural hair consultant. She helps women learn to ditch chemical relaxers and embrace the hair they were born with.
Courtesy Bibi Gnagno
Ren Zen Up is one of the few Ivory Coast salons that specializes in natural hair. Owner Azi Oyourou says a lot of women don't know how to style natural hair because they're so used to using relaxer.
Au naturale —
Ren Zen Up is one of the few Ivory Coast salons that specializes in natural hair. Owner Azi Oyourou says a lot of women don't know how to style natural hair because they're so used to using relaxer.
Courtesy Ren Zen Up
Oyourou says that the movement is part of a larger trend of national pride within the Ivory Coast. 'More people want to know about their traditions,' she says.
National pride —
Oyourou says that the movement is part of a larger trend of national pride within the Ivory Coast. 'More people want to know about their traditions,' she says.
Oliver Kwai/ Courtesy Ren Zen Up
Though many women find it empowering to forgo relaxers and wigs, some say they still get snide comments from friends and family. Some associate natural hair with a lack of money.
Facing resistence —
Though many women find it empowering to forgo relaxers and wigs, some say they still get snide comments from friends and family. Some associate natural hair with a lack of money.
Oliver Kwai/ Courtesy Ren Zen Up
Oyourou says men face more stigma than women when wearing their hair natural. 'People think you're a junkie or a bad boy,' she says. She's one of thousands involved in a growing natural hair movement in the Ivory Coast that hopes to link natural hair with self-empowerment.
Male bias —
Oyourou says men face more stigma than women when wearing their hair natural. 'People think you're a junkie or a bad boy,' she says. She's one of thousands involved in a growing natural hair movement in the Ivory Coast that hopes to link natural hair with self-empowerment.
Oliver Kwai/ Courtesy Ren Zen Up