MAN-SHANU FOR HAIR GROWTH

 

Question: Can man-shanu grow my hair like the Fulani?

Answer: Man-shanu  is milk fat that has been separated from fresh milk. From what I have been told, the Fulani and other people of Northern Nigeria, eat it and use it to soften and retain moisture on the skin and hair. Due to the fact that most Fulani people have long soft curly hair, there is a myth in Nigeria that man-shanu is solely responsible for their beautiful hair.

True or false?
I have not been able to find research done on man-shanu (or ghee) to hair growth but I have found sites that claim that it does grow hair with one claiming that it has the magical ability to open up closed follicles. Don't take my word for it but I wouldn't advise you to get your hopes up based on that.


Afro Hair Growth
According to Audrey Davis-Sivasothy's book, The Science of Black Hair: A
Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care, afro hair growth occurs through a

Follow-follow, your song tells a lot about us

 Nigerian music/videos have gone from being boringly predictable to plain annoying. That's not to say that there are no correct artists out there o. Lagbaja, Asa, Nneka, Brymo to name a few, still dey make us proud ^_^. Last week a friend of mine asked: "why do you have all this...boring music. Abi you no like correct jamz?" By 'correct jamz', my friend is referring to the popular  noise that plays on almost every radio station.

There is no doubt that Nigerians are talented people and  have abundant  material  to produce some great stuff but all this 'me i wan yogodo' noise does not cut it for some us.
 Think I'm exaggerating about the quality of music we get, then read Elnathan's  post on the Daily Times. It pretty much summarizes the Nigerian music industry.

 

Why can't Lagbaja's creativity and originality spread?

Who says we don't get recognition ?One more reason to love Lagbaja. That sisters twist out was on point!

No one is saying that we must all sound like Fela Kuti, Victor Uwaifo or Mejek Fajek (the majek of back in the day o) but please put in some extra effort at being yourself. Sometimes I can't even tell that the person singing is Nigerian. Dem go twist-twist their tongue so-taaay the English sef go scatter...anh-ahn na wetin?!!  

Below is a video from Brymo that I totally appreciate.Yes, there's the party scene and what my brother calls the 'skinny-jeans-and- a Mic-Nigerian-boy- look'  but I totally dig the Eyo masquerades, the lady rocking a Twa, the Yoruba man in his traditional outfit -dancing like Yoruba man, and the ballet dancers who should have been out of place but blended beautifully well with everything else.

 

  Like how can you listen to or watch  Ara and not know that this is Green-White-Green?

So what do you think of the Nigerian music industry? Any favorites I haven't mentioned above? Please share because I'm very interested in good music.

Bino and Fino Dance Azonto

Lol at Papa Papa's old school moves. My sisters and I love this clip.

Bino and Fino is West Africa's first children's educational cartoon. If you look to the left side of the blog you will see a Bino and Fino button asking for your support. A lot of work and finance goes into keeping this show alive so please support the makers. 

For those of you who see cartoons as a waste of time you are entitled to your opinion. But remember that your kids love them and would watch whatever is available. Lets support Bino and Fino, let our kids watch cartoons with characters that look and sound like them.

source
We've got 6 days left.Thank you all in advance.

Peace, Heart and Natural.

Its not too late....

THE LIFESTYLE & FOOD SOUK IS BACK @ THE LIFE HOUSE

"Our Food and Lifestyle Souk is back and featuring an array of amazing products that are handmade, sourced with love, inspired by Africa, ethically procured, and produced by and for lovers of life.
The boutique indoor market will feature a variety of vendors as that present a glorious medley of delicious wines; gourmet breads and pastries, premium traditionally processed wild foods; hand dyed fabrics; organic beauty products; unique home accents and lots more."

Admission is FREE so see you at The Life House this weekend!

Inspiration: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

 

"The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story."

Africa do you remember Franco Luambo from Zaire?

,

If you were born in the 80's like myself then you might have memories of "Mario". I have hunted for this song and no one had a clue about what I was talking about. Then I heard it on a radio station...what!! I ran downstairs shouting "Ma! Your song is playing on the radio...Mario!". I have memories of my Mom and Aunts dancing to this song.She used to rewind the tape over and over again listening to "Mario" over and over again....I dont think I ever got tired cause I loved it too:) 

It might not sound like it but the song is about a man who lives off older women.

If you want to know how popular this song was ask your parents or an African (especially someone from Central Africa) in his/her 30's,40's or 50's and see the reaction. Franco Luambo Makiadi was born in Zaire now the Democratic Republic of Congo. At age seven he built a rudimentary guitar that he played to attract customers to his mothers stall. He was such a good guitarist that he got the nickname "sorcerer of the guitar".He died on the 12th of October 1989. The government declared four days of national mourning which  state radio stations played nothing but his songs. RIP Franco. 

P.S: Please who knows where I can buy his album?

Cultural Fridays

Source:dynamicafrica(Botsabelo South Africa)

I so want to visit South Africa...

Picture Of The Day: A Day @ The Market...

source

Minus the heels this is how I would go to the market during the dry hot season. 

My Naija people can you believe that it rained  heavily in Ibadan two days ago... February rain fa!!

Trad Fridays: Fulani Yanga

Source:blackfashion

Two young Fulani men from Mali. Colorful cloths  given to them by admiring females are piled on top of their turbans. The girls make sure that the patterns of the fabrics they give match the patterns of  the dresses they will wear  that evening.

Blogger Spotlight: Beauty Of Africa

"Africa is more than just huts and wild animals. Africa is filled with rich cultures, creative art, stunning people and is currently rising up as a fashion icon. My blog is dedicated to empowering African People and It's culture and showing another side of Africa. The beautiful and underrepresented side of Africa."

        

 Visit Beauty of Africa on Tumblr

Natural hair Meet-Up Lagos: The Venue

Picture of Lagos taken by a very sleepy head

Last week I was invited to Lagos by Natural Nigerian to attend a meeting concerning the natural hair meet-up. I was really excited!! I haven't being to Lagos in a very long time. So I packed  an overnight bag and headed over to Lag. sharp-sharp.
Contrary to my expectations, no one snatched my bag, no one even acted like I existed. People were using their Blackberries and pod's on the street without anyone snatching it. If you are like me who has heard horrible Lagos stories; this will be a surprise to you.The downside of the journey was that I got to Lagos very late because of the traffic and had to wake up by 4:00am to beat early morning traffic (na wa o).
By 7:00am I met with the beautiful Natural Nigerian  who gave me a mini tour of the Island. By 9:00 we met with Screwyhairgirl  and the Natural Nutritionist to begin planning.
Typical of Natural Ladies; the meeting was interrupted by hair-talk :) I learnt a lot from these lovely ladies and would never forget how easy it was to go on and on about  hair experiences with ladies I  had never met before...is that normal?
After the meeting Natural Nigerian and I went to the venue which is called The Life House. It was designed by the by the founder of Zebraliving.com . The place is BEAUTIFUL!! From the stone well to the bar... everything is beautiful!! Stepping into the building I could feel the love and effort she put into the decor.
 Fortunately, before we left, we had the rare opportunity of meeting the designer. Oh boy....I was blown away!! I've never  met anyone who is as passionate about Nigeria-and the Continent as a whole- like Ugoma Adegoke. Almost everything in and outside the building  was made/designed in Nigeria or in Africa.

...doesn't this remind you of a Nigerian masquerade?

Coconut oil...packaged and ready for sale

Bangles,bags, pillows, Coconut oil, dresses, beads,chairs, beaded bowls.... designed by Ugoma Adegoke.

 I just had to take pictures of the bathroom... The mirror was made from the sea shells that the designer and her husband (who has a real fro by the way) picked during one of their travels. LOVE, LOVE IT!!

I wish I could have those beautiful beads hanging on the bathroom wall....

mirror and basket...handmade with love from Africa...

...admiring the wood work while waiting for my drink 

...guess what's for lunch...OFADA RICE...chai...I fit pack live here forever!!

Sadly, I had to leave Lagos that same day....I won't go into too much detail but I can tell you that when I got home I asked myself the same question I ask my self after every new experience: what have you learned girl?. And the first words that came to mind were: Selfless Service, Patience and Humility.Thanks  Ladies for being so inspiring.

Back To Business....

So the Meet-up will be on the 19th of November at The Life House, No 33 Sinari Daranijo Street, off Younis Bashorun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos (the brown gate directly opposite Suzy Q club).

Speakers:
 -The lovely nutritionist; Sherese Ijewre of CaribbeanHealth&Nutrition will be talking to us about how our diet affects our hair,skin and general living

-The motivational speaker; Mrs. Ifeoma Williams   will also be at the event to boost our SELF-LOVE.
- Natural Nigerian, Screwyhairedgirl of Screwyhair and yours sincerely will also be at the meet- up.

There will be hard to find natural hair products on sale, a GIVEAWAY and...The Zebra boutique will be having SALES!! He^he...you would love that one, Shebi?
I hope to see you lovely Ladies at this event. Don't just bring yourselves...bring your friends, family and a little book to take down notes.
Much Love!!

Trad. Fridays

 source

Inna Modja

A Benin Bride from Edo State, South of Nigeria

 source

My Africa Is Beautiful!! Happy weekend!!