Kwanzaa Photos (More sisterlock photos next time!)

Just a few photos from this years Karamu. I've mentioned in a previous post (read all Kwanzaa posts here) that we host our Karamu on January 1 instead of the traditional December 31. We hadn't planned to show The Black Candle, MK Asante's new feature length film about Kwanzaa, (see the trailer here), but there are always a few people who hang out for 'the party after the party' so we watched it in the evening.

Enjoy...

The children were at the center of things.

It was a potluck in the spirit of Ujima.

Wangari made salmon, Kenyan spicey rice and white rice. Naomi's Liberian collard greens were made with fish and chicken.

Helping hands were indispensable.

Such 'Kuumba' (creativity)!

[Oh, what the hay! I guess I'll toss in a few sisterlocks hair photos for the start of the new year anyway!]

May you be mindful of the seven principles even when times are most difficult, remembering that the right thing to do is frequently not the easiest thing to do.

Stay strong. Everything is in divine order.

Have a prosperous, peaceful and healthful New Year full of love and light!

Harambe!

AfroCentric Network: A Great Shop in the ATL

If you ever happen to find yourself in the Atlanta area, make sure you go to the West End and visit the Afrocentric Network.

The shop owner, Margaret, a Kenya native, will welcome you with her big, dimple-framed smile. If she isn't there, Atieno, who has an equally pleasing personality will make you feel right at home.

Margaret (owner)

Atieno with individual braid extensions

The store carries a large selection of African and African-inspired clothing for both women and men. Margaret carries 'Kriswear' - the label under which designs by the award winning Ghanaian designer, Kwasi Christian, are sold.

Couldn't leave this Senegalese design in the store!

Wore it to the Gala!

There is something that will appeal to every taste within their extensive collection of jewelry. Accessories like hats, scarves, and handbags pepper the store in abundance.

The wide variety of fabrics including cottons, mudcloth, light and heavy lace and upholstery weight fabrics are a favorite with Atlanta area designers.

Margaret carries artwork, sculpture and home accessories from across the entire African continent - from prints to masks to soapstone to thumb pianos.

You can also find toiletries like raw shea butter, black soap, incense and oils.

The Afrocentric Network is a one stop shop for African linens, masks, statues, ornaments, artwork, apparel and accessories. They are located at 576 Lee St
Atlanta, GA 30310. (404) 756-0200.

When you visit, tell Margaret or Atieno that you heard about the Afro Centric Network on DocsLocs' blog!

My Sisterlocks Journey: The Cost of Sisterlocks

Phylecia posted some interesting comments about the value of investing in sisterlocks as compared with the costs associated with other hairstyles.

Most posts I come across that discuss the cost of sisterlocks are posted by happily, locked, DIYers (let's face it, if one has the time, $0 is the right price!)

But for those who are contemplating going natural, Phylecia's arguments are worth considering.

Follow this link to read the post! My Sisterlocks Journey: The Cost of Sisterlocks

Sisterlocks Photo Essay: Months 1 to 10

What a challenge it is to capture the evolution of sisterlocks with my camera.

I can feel changes in the size and texture of my locs with my fingers, but through my photos the only obvious change is in the length.

As Cia promised, many of my locs that have truly locked are almost twice their original thickness. Most of those are on the crown of my head.

The many micro-locs around the periphery of my head and behind my ears are still rather small in diameter and I can still feel their crocheted pattern with my fingers, but they are well entangled and I no longer experience any slippage.

Sisterlocks Installation

Remember this photo? This was my two to three inches of new growth with permed ends on the day of my lockiversary ;o)

Here is my scalp at the end of day one.

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Sisterlocks Retightening at 4 months

But check out the increase in length in the photos below. These photos were taken towards the end of my fourth month with sisterlocks.

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Sisterlocks grow over several months: scalp photos

Compare day 3 sisterlocks...

...with week eight of sisterlocks. And compare week eight of sisterlocks...

...with month 8 of sisterlocks!

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A fuller hairline

Check out the return of my previously 'burnt-out' hairline. At 9 month, lots of new coils have finally recovered from the shock of the 'lye' and are creeping out again!

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Increasing length from month 2 to month 10

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Braid-out set: Months 2, 4 and 8

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Styled Braid-out set: Month 1 and Month 10