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I just finished watching the Rihanna / Diana Sawyer interview. I am late in seeing the interview, but I am happy I took the time to find it online. I respect Rhianna for being truthful about going back to Chris Brown then realizing her mistake and ending the relationship. From the interview it sounds like Rhianna let her pride get in the way of putting herself first. As women, it is soo difficult for us to put ourselves first. I find myself taken care of people around me, better than I take care of myself.
Speaking of Rhianna, I had an impromptu trip to sunny Barbados. Unfortunately it rained, and Rhianna was not there to shield me from the rain with her umbrella, umbrella, eh. Kidding aside, I had a great time on my second trip to the small nation.
Country Side
We spent a lot of our time in the country on the family’s farm. When we weren’t on the farm, we were visiting friends and family. I did not meet one female relative or family friend with natural hair.
Behind the farm we traveled into the forest. It was quiet, and cool from the blanket of shade the trees provided. It is amazing how the trees race each other to the sky competing for sun. Through their journey, they drop roots from the top into the soil for nourishment. It can appear that the only enemy of the countryside is the gully. Behind this tourist stand were houses inhaled by the gully. It now appears to a sharp cliff overlooking the country side.
We visited my Dad’s high school friend who lives right across from the tourist stand. He had his locs wrapped up under a stocking cap. My dad explained my website, and he was proud to uncover and share. He also showed us his amazing talent. He sells these handmade wood figurines of men playing cricket to lucky tourist. He is working on a musician playing a saxophone. The pictures do not give his artwork and great detail justice. He has created masterpieces of art from the nation’s wood.
Oistins
Every Friday night the town of Oistins has a “Fish-Fry”. Locals and tourist eat, and dance all night long. I love how the tourist and natives have lots of interaction and go to the same parties. I watched street performers and enjoyed a wide array of music. I spotted lots of naturals. I started to speak with one lady only to find she was from the UK!
Beaches
The water’s clarity can be compared to bottled water. Tourist all over the world flock to the tranquil white sand beaches. It was my Dad’s mission to not just show me where the tourist hang out, but the rocky less desirable beaches as well. The building on the rocks, now a vacant changing space, beaten by the tides.
Natural Scene
If I had to guess, I would say 1 out 4 Barbadians are natural. Many assume that Black nations are more likely to embrace their natural hair, but it really is not the case. Barbados, one of the more conservative and business-minded islands it make sense. My dad explained to me that the concept of using light-skin slaves to control the slaves was born in Barbados by White slave masters. Barbadians were known as the most docile slaves compared to those in Haiti and Jamaica which revolted slavery. While I love people to rebel, I really respect the Bajan government. They have implemented many laws preserving land to natives, and not foreigners. I was told that the government forced White plantation owners to give land to their works. To this day, you see the decedents occupying land that can not be taken away from them. I meet a few people that have inherited land. Despite being approach by foreigners for millions of dollars, their goal is to keep their land within their family. The government also works to preserve much of the island, now allowing development in all areas.
Downtown Barbados
When I went downtown for the first time I was surprised to see Victoria Secret. I shouldn’t be. I already saw Ruby Tuesday, KFC, etc. What surprised me is it their was no Bajan twist on Victoria Secret. It was the same exact way as we know it in the mall down the street. As you can see from this relaxer billboard, the ads seemed to be the same. I passed a jewelry store, and who do I see? Yes, Nicole Kidman. When you make it, you really make it all around the world.
Natural Styles
I asked a Rastafarian if I could take a picture of his hair, and he angrily told me he doesn’t take pictures. From that point on I tried to sneak photos of unexpected naturals. I am officially obsessed with natural hair.
I saw all the usual styles from TWAs, locs, ‘fro, etc.
I saw lots of braids and up-dos. This seems like a necessity keeping hair off your neck to stay as cool as possible in the hot sun.
Lots of beautifullocs. Yes, we were chatting in the bathroom of the night club. I also admired her salt and pepper locs. She sounded like a foreigner, maybe from Trinidad.
One thing I do not see a lot of in Richmond is Yarn braids, or loc extensions. I have seen these more in the DC. These were also very popular on the island.
I really heart Barbados. Some islands you go to you don’t feel safe, or see the divided class system. There is one local channel. Other than that, people watch all American channels. My dad teased his friends that they know the news abroad, and not down the street. In theory, you would think an island with homogeneous population of African decent, ads would be afro-centric. Being so exposed to American media, and products they are just like us on different land. The newspapers and the local channel do show mostly island Black people with natural hair.
Any one from Barbados, are my observations correct? Any one visited? What do you think?
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I’m from Bim (Barbados) and I’m really glad to read about it from your point of view. Love your blog, will be back.
<3 Kinjee
great block no doubt, now a days hair falling is very common problem in both men and women,many reason behind hair falling but generally stress,a lot of use of cosmetics,shortcomings of vitamins,fitness etc.
My family is from Barbados as well and I was there in May to visit. I saw more locs than ever this time around. On previous trips to BIM, I always saw perms—that was it. This time, although there weren’t as many TWAs, twists, twist-outs, etc., the number of people with salon locs (as opposed to freefrom Rastafarian locs) has grown. And it’s becoming more acceptable. I some people working throughout Bridgetown with locs. I don’t think that would have been the case five years ago.
I love BIM. It’s my favourite island, but I’m biased
You truly do feel safe: my husband, our friend and I traveled around the island at all hours, taking cabs and walking and no one bothered us. It was a great trip—I can’t wait to go back.