I feel a hair post coming on. It's been a while after all. I read this article yesterday about how there is a rising trend among some young American women of foregoing the benefits of shampoo. I first heard about this several years when I used to cruise natural hair websites and boards like they were closing shop the very next day. I was in a phase where a lot of my personal identity was caught-up in my hair. I was also growing out my hair from its former low-cut and needed guidance on how to manage it.
So then I came across the "no poo" strategy i.e. severely limiting or eliminating your use of shampoo altogether.
YUCK!! was all I could think. I'd heard all the stories before about how washing your hair less could make it grow faster. But, erm, HELLO, your hair and nails grow at the same rate and I can't see how letting dirt accumulate on your scalp could change that. Of course, there is the truth that washing your hair probably means less stress on your hair - especially that which will come from the blow-drying and combing that follows. This tactic is supposed to be especially suited to curly and kinky hair, which tend to be more fragile than Caucasian and Asian types of hair.
However, as I thought about it I realised that so many young women barely wash their hair anyway. Let's say you put in braids or a weave that have cost a fortune and you really want them to look good for as long as possible to maximise the amount of money you have spent on them. So, you don't wash your hair for fear that your newly acquired tresses will start to go fuzzy and look rough. Weeks eventually go by with nary a whiff even of shampoo coming anywhere near your hair. Hmmm, this trend towards uncleanliness should really give us reason to pause and contemplate our hair habits. (Hasty Disclaimer: Writing about this does not mean that I also am one of those who perpetrate such heinous crimes against hair.)
Anyway, the article does talk about how some young women are farming out the washing of their hair and returning to what their mothers and grandmothers used to do i.e. going into the salon once a week for a wash and set, or wash and style. It's funny, because about a week ago, my aunt and I were talking about the decline of this very same habit. She reminisced about the days when she used to go to the salon every weekend to get her hair done. I also remembered accompanying my mother to her salon every Sunday for her wash and set (in time, I too would visit the salon for my wash and set - although my visits were less regular than my mother's). There was a feeling of camaraderie, which is lacking in many of today's braiding shops. My aunt and I pondered on the reasons for the decline of the weekly wash and set and, in the end, we took the easy route and blamed it on a lack of time.
Anyway, like I know I have said countless times before, I would like to wean myself over what has turned into an over-dependence on braids. It's a convenient crutch for me. Let's just hope that it won't be all talk this time....
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Why Girls Blog
I just read this New York Times article based on some recent research conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which found that among Web users (in the U.S.) ages 12 to 17, significantly more girls than boys blog (35% of girls compared with 20% of boys) and create or work on their own Web pages (32% of girls compared with 22% of boys).
Some of the guesses floated for this in the article is that girls are socialised more to tell stories about themselves and others (or have a tendency to be more "confessional" than boys). Where guys do dominate is in posting videos and, according to one of the academics featured in the article, not because they are more skilled at it than girls but because "videos are often less about personal expression and more about impressing others. It’s an ideal way for members of a subculture — skateboarders, snowboarders — to demonstrate their athleticism."
According to another one of the academics interviewed, girls "from a young age ... learn that they are objects ... so they learn how to describe themselves. Historically, girls and women have been expected to be social, communal and skilled in decorative arts."
She continued, that this dominance by girls in creating web content, as a result of their communication skills would be called "the feminization of the Internet." Hmmm well, that certainly makes a change from the perceived masculinity of most other forms of technology.
It's always interesting to read the deductions made from research such as this. Of course, there are always a fair amount of generalisations made - and I guess that have to be made. I loved to write when I was much younger, but I think that my tastes always gravitated more towards the literary. It was less to do with my being a girl and expectations to be able to describe myself (and perhaps more influenced by upbringing). But then, I am one person and so it's difficult to say why other women blog, write or maintain websites.
In our society where oral story-telling is very much a part of the culture, such results perhaps might have been expected. But to really know, someone would have to do some research on online usage trends in Nigeria for us to know for sure.
Some of the guesses floated for this in the article is that girls are socialised more to tell stories about themselves and others (or have a tendency to be more "confessional" than boys). Where guys do dominate is in posting videos and, according to one of the academics featured in the article, not because they are more skilled at it than girls but because "videos are often less about personal expression and more about impressing others. It’s an ideal way for members of a subculture — skateboarders, snowboarders — to demonstrate their athleticism."
According to another one of the academics interviewed, girls "from a young age ... learn that they are objects ... so they learn how to describe themselves. Historically, girls and women have been expected to be social, communal and skilled in decorative arts."
She continued, that this dominance by girls in creating web content, as a result of their communication skills would be called "the feminization of the Internet." Hmmm well, that certainly makes a change from the perceived masculinity of most other forms of technology.
It's always interesting to read the deductions made from research such as this. Of course, there are always a fair amount of generalisations made - and I guess that have to be made. I loved to write when I was much younger, but I think that my tastes always gravitated more towards the literary. It was less to do with my being a girl and expectations to be able to describe myself (and perhaps more influenced by upbringing). But then, I am one person and so it's difficult to say why other women blog, write or maintain websites.
In our society where oral story-telling is very much a part of the culture, such results perhaps might have been expected. But to really know, someone would have to do some research on online usage trends in Nigeria for us to know for sure.
AfricaNews Seeks Reporters
This is so bad! I feel like all I've been doing here lately is making announcements (sans my last post that really only fans of The Wire would care about). Ah well!
If there are journalists out there or budding journalists, you might be interested in writing for AfricaNews. Check out their site for more info on signing-up as a reporter.
If there are journalists out there or budding journalists, you might be interested in writing for AfricaNews. Check out their site for more info on signing-up as a reporter.
Monday, February 04, 2008
The Wire Season 4
Post for fans of The Wire:
Ah, the power of blogging. I asked and I received. I finished watching season 4 of The Wire. Amazing is all I can say. I watched and re-watched the first 2 seasons. I also watched all the commentaries, so I knew those 2 seasons backwards and forwards. With season 3, I watched that just once and didn't watch a single commentary. Plus this was about a year ago, so by the time I got season 4, my re-collection of the third season was very hazy. I debated re-watching the 3rd season before starting on the 4th season, but I too excited to start on the new episodes.
The story has developed a lot since the days when Avon Barksdale ran the drug trade in west Baltimore. Now a few years on, Avon is locked up for a long time, but a new kingpin, Marlo Stanfield, has emerged and taken his place. Life goes on whatever else happens.
The characters have progressed and grown in many ways (well, not everyone: Bunk still drinks himself sick). Each season highlights a different aspect of life in Baltimore. The first established the characters and laid a good understanding of Baltimore's drug trade; the second showed life on the docks; the third shows city politics; and the fourth on the school system. In the fourth season, you get an understanding of how such young children end up working in drugs. Although set in Baltimore, much of what occurs (if not all) takes place in other cities all over the world.
Non-Wire fans will wonder why I'm always raving about this show. You have to watch to understand. Anyway, I'm watching the commentaries of season 4 now. After that I'll re-watch season 3.
Here's a link to a sit-down with some of the cast members that my friend Funke sent me: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/features/story/0,,2246952,00.html.
Enjoy.
Ah, the power of blogging. I asked and I received. I finished watching season 4 of The Wire. Amazing is all I can say. I watched and re-watched the first 2 seasons. I also watched all the commentaries, so I knew those 2 seasons backwards and forwards. With season 3, I watched that just once and didn't watch a single commentary. Plus this was about a year ago, so by the time I got season 4, my re-collection of the third season was very hazy. I debated re-watching the 3rd season before starting on the 4th season, but I too excited to start on the new episodes.
The story has developed a lot since the days when Avon Barksdale ran the drug trade in west Baltimore. Now a few years on, Avon is locked up for a long time, but a new kingpin, Marlo Stanfield, has emerged and taken his place. Life goes on whatever else happens.
The characters have progressed and grown in many ways (well, not everyone: Bunk still drinks himself sick). Each season highlights a different aspect of life in Baltimore. The first established the characters and laid a good understanding of Baltimore's drug trade; the second showed life on the docks; the third shows city politics; and the fourth on the school system. In the fourth season, you get an understanding of how such young children end up working in drugs. Although set in Baltimore, much of what occurs (if not all) takes place in other cities all over the world.
Non-Wire fans will wonder why I'm always raving about this show. You have to watch to understand. Anyway, I'm watching the commentaries of season 4 now. After that I'll re-watch season 3.
Here's a link to a sit-down with some of the cast members that my friend Funke sent me: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/features/story/0,,2246952,00.html.
Enjoy.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Domestic Violence
What do you do when you hear your next door neighbours fighting constantly? I have heard the fights between (I assume) the husband and wife for a very long time now. Typically the man is shouting angrily and the woman is returning his verbal assault with equal measure. Sometimes what you hear is sounds of beating and the woman screaming. Sometimes, it's the man thundering in pain and anger after (I assume again) the woman has flung a breakable object at him. A lot of times, you hear things been thrown about and a torrent of curse words. This is what is going on right now. This morning, it was the plaintive wails of a child being beaten.
The thing about violence within a family is that it is frequently endless. The father physically or verbally assaults the woman and in some cases she retaliates, in many cases she does not. Often, she feels that she is powerless. Always, the children are caught up in this spiral of violence as they suffer from a parent or parents who can only resolve disputes in anger. They also learn from their parents' relationship how to behave in their own social interactions.
The thing about violence within a family is that it is frequently endless. The father physically or verbally assaults the woman and in some cases she retaliates, in many cases she does not. Often, she feels that she is powerless. Always, the children are caught up in this spiral of violence as they suffer from a parent or parents who can only resolve disputes in anger. They also learn from their parents' relationship how to behave in their own social interactions.
Traffic, Traffic, Traffic
I know a lot of bloggers have written about the horrible traffic situation in Lagos, but this is one thing that Lagosians cannot complain about enough. Newline did a story on this night, tracing the gridlock from CMS to the Lekki-Ajah Expressway on a typical work morning. We all agree that the current situation is terrible.
On the island, the road expansion is the major source of the chaos. For a long time no one could actually tell what they were doing - it looked like they were dusting and cleaning up. Now, what feels like decades later (in truth, about a year and 3 months), we can see determined signs of progress. It looks like it will get a bit worse before it gets better. Okay, my little rant is over now.
On the island, the road expansion is the major source of the chaos. For a long time no one could actually tell what they were doing - it looked like they were dusting and cleaning up. Now, what feels like decades later (in truth, about a year and 3 months), we can see determined signs of progress. It looks like it will get a bit worse before it gets better. Okay, my little rant is over now.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Call for Articles - Gender & Development Journal
Oxfam's Gender & Development journal is accepting proposals for its November 2008 issue. The issue will focus on Gender, Development and Leadership:
· What concrete strategies are being tried in different contexts worldwide, to promote and support women leaders in economic, political and social institutions - including states, financial institutions, community institutions, and the household?
· Do women leaders make a difference in terms of gender equality outcomes, and pro-poor outcomes? How can women leaders with progressive agendas be supported? What attracts women to conservative or fundamentalist political groupings?
· What else needs to change to ensure the specific interests of women living in poverty are reflected and met?
· What should the role of development organisations be in supporting women's leadership? What are the challenges?
Gender & Development provides an opportunity for all involved in development (researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, activists, etc) who uphold gender equality and women's rights to reflect on their work and share learning. The journal is published three times each year and each issue focuses on a particular in gender and development.
If you are interested in writing for this issue exploring any of the above or related themes, please send a paragraph outlining your proposed idea to gadeditor@oxfam.org.uk by February 7, 2008. Visit www.genderanddevelopment.org for more information.
· What concrete strategies are being tried in different contexts worldwide, to promote and support women leaders in economic, political and social institutions - including states, financial institutions, community institutions, and the household?
· Do women leaders make a difference in terms of gender equality outcomes, and pro-poor outcomes? How can women leaders with progressive agendas be supported? What attracts women to conservative or fundamentalist political groupings?
· What else needs to change to ensure the specific interests of women living in poverty are reflected and met?
· What should the role of development organisations be in supporting women's leadership? What are the challenges?
Gender & Development provides an opportunity for all involved in development (researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, activists, etc) who uphold gender equality and women's rights to reflect on their work and share learning. The journal is published three times each year and each issue focuses on a particular in gender and development.
If you are interested in writing for this issue exploring any of the above or related themes, please send a paragraph outlining your proposed idea to gadeditor@oxfam.org.uk by February 7, 2008. Visit www.genderanddevelopment.org for more information.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tech Museum Awards
Nominations are being accepted for this year's Tech Museum Awards.
From the site: "The Tech Museum Awards is a programme that aims to honour and award innovators from around the world who use technology to benefit humanity. Five Laureates in each category are honoured, and one Laureate per category receives US$50,000.
Indiviudals and organisations who apply should show how their technology application significantly improves the human condition in one of the five award areas: economic development, education, environment, equality, or health.
Deadline for application is March 24, 2008.
Check the site for more info: http://techawards.thetech.org/.
From the site: "The Tech Museum Awards is a programme that aims to honour and award innovators from around the world who use technology to benefit humanity. Five Laureates in each category are honoured, and one Laureate per category receives US$50,000.
Indiviudals and organisations who apply should show how their technology application significantly improves the human condition in one of the five award areas: economic development, education, environment, equality, or health.
Deadline for application is March 24, 2008.
Check the site for more info: http://techawards.thetech.org/.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Slave Chamber
This was the final stop on our Spice Tour. We were taken to a beach in Mangapwani to work off our lunch. As the bus makes its way back to Stone Town, we were driven to this former slave cave and given the option to get out and see it quickly. Most in our party declined (it had been a long day, so I couldn't blame them), but I was curious so along with a handful of others, we paid our 1,000 Tsh (roughly equivalent to 1 USD) and descended into the dungeon.
Slaves were hidden in here after trade in slaves was abolished. The cave is a dank pit, which appeared to spiral into the ground. After taking about 20 steps down, the daylight was already being subsumed by the underground darkness. I climbed down as far as my slippers would allow me to on the slippery and damp ground. Our lone torch gave out and my camera battery, which I had been carefully nursing all through the trip (not having a battery charger with me) eventually failed. It was time to call it a day and head back.
The Nutmeg
Everyone who visits Zanzibar MUST go on the Spice Tour. It's like you didn't even visit Zanazibar if you didn't go on the Spice Tour. So, we went on the Spice Tour. I also happen to like spices and the mental pictures of tasty food that the word 'spice' conjures up for me. Plus, at the end of the tour, participants are treated to a meal featuring many of the island's famous spices.
This photograph is of the nutmeg, which is one of my favourite spices. I had never seen it in its raw form, so it was with utter fascination I watched as the tour guide pointed to a yellow, soft looking fruit and declared it to be "nutmeg". We all looked at him rather disbelievingly until he pulled one off the tree and split it open to reveal the familiar-looking brown nut.
Zanzibar Sunset
So we went to the first floor of the Africa House Hotel to see the famed view of the sunset, along with what seemed like just about every other tourist on the island (oh, I hate to be such a 'touristy' tourist and be seen doing what everyone else is doing). We ordered a couple of their rather over-priced drinks and settled down to watch the sun set. It all happened so fast and then I guess I got slightly distracted with my people watching and so this is the photograph I ended up with.
It seems to be the norm for tourists now to wield heavy-duty, professional-looking cameras. What happened to the simple point-and-shoots of yore? As I sat there, I could actually see some people nervously bringing out their point-and-shoots, apparently intimidated by the preponderance of the DC4S/PP (Digital Cameras for Serious/Professional Photographers). LOL!!
We were at the Africa House Hotel for maybe about 30 minutes. The sun doesn't take that long to set, and before we knew it the mosquitoes were out in full effect, chomping at our ankles and anywhere else they could reach (which, it seemed was EVERYWHERE, including fully-clothed parts). Not wanting to be reduced to insect meal, Funke and I hastily paid and beat a hurried retreat (along with all the other tourists) to the door.
View from the Archipelago Restaurant
You can see (or perhaps not, for all the foliage) the Monsoon Restaurant. According to my guide book, if one restaurant on this island is hard to get a table at, it is this one. Or could be, on Thursday nights when they have live music. We ate there one night (obviously we got a table). The food was not bad, though again it didn't live up the expectation that the guide book had built-up. Or then again, perhaps I'm a philistine when it comes to fine dining.
BTW, I think the best meals I had were at ETC Plaza and Les Spices Rendez-Vous (the New Maharaja Restaurant). It took us FOREVER to find ETC PLaza, but the food was so worth it when we got there. The night we went to Les Spices, we were actually looking for another restaurant, which must have closed down and which must also have been so bad that no one missed it either, as no one seemed to know it.
This picture was taken from Archipelago Restaurant, another place with excellent food.
Another ocean view from Prison Island
Yes, yes, I know. Yet ANOTHER shot of the ocean. Can you blame me? It's so beautiful.
Speedy Gonzales
I LOVE this picture; it's easily my favourite of all the pictures I took (What? This blurry thing?). Mr. T looks likes he's dashing off for a very important appointment. Infact, someone who saw this picture asked me where the tortoise was running to. Then she caught herself and laughed. This 'masterpiece' was no doubt the result of a shaky hand, or perhaps I sneezed as I snapped.
This was taken on the tortoise farm on Prison Island.
It's funny; Funke and I were chattering away as we walked into the tortoise farm. The guide asked us if we were from Nigeria.
We were very surprised at his dead-on accuracy, especially since of all the tourists we had met on the island, we were the only Nigerians and, from what I gathered, there are not many Nigerians visiting Zanzibar in general.
- "How did you know we were Nigerians?" we asked the guide.
- "Oh", he responded off-handedly, "Nigerians are always SO loud."
Hmmm, well, excuse me!
Prison Island Beach
I ended up with a lot of beach shots. Well, I couldn't help it. There was a Kodak moment everywhere I looked. The beaches were so clean and beautiful that although I feared that the pictures would all look the same, at the time I wanted to capture as much of the natural beauty as I could. Cameras of course don't do justice, but you get the idea.
Sailor
I was a bit worried about being sea-sick on this trip, especially since I had just wolfed down a sizeable breakfast minutes before we clambered on the small boat. However, I discovered that I must have some solid sea legs (well, perhaps, the gently lapping waves were not the most rigorous test for how prone to sea-sickness I am).
Our sailor (or 'driver' as the owner of the fleet of boats referred to him) was a man of few words (I'm sure it didn't help that we didn't speak a lick of Swahili other than "Jambo" and "Mambo" and his English was pretty limited). That suited me fine, talkative drivers, when you're not in the mood, don't make for a very relaxing journey.
Tembo Hotel from the water
On our second day, we took a boat trip to Prison Island, also known as Changuu Island. A huge prison was built on the island, but never used for that purpose. Instead, it was used by the British as a yellow fever quarantine camp. Now, it is a tourist spot, attracting people to its serenity (there are chalets for people who wish to stay on the island).
This is the view of our hotel from the boat.
Mosquito Nets
Now, this took me back to my childhood. Mosquitoes are plentiful on the island, so the hotel staff sprayed the rooms every evening. By the time you returned to your room, you'd find the windows firmly shut, with the mosquito nets now draped over the beds, and the lingering scent of the insecticide in the air. On our first evening, when Funke and I saw the made beds, we shrieked with glee and nostalgia.
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