In December 2009, I bade farewell to my dreadlocks and went for the BC (Big Chop). When I first grew my dreadlocks in September 2004, I also opted for the BC rather than transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. This time, the BC was for a couple of reasons. I wanted to get back to basics and be re-introduced to my hair, getting to know it again gradually. Secondly, I set myself a challenge:

1. Is it possible to have natural hair in Zambia and look good?

2. Can I wear my hair in its natural state, without a wig, weave or extensions?

I started off with a TWA (teeny weeny afro). This was also an easy style to rock for a few months while I figured out what to do with my hair. The longer my hair grew, the harder it was to keep my TWA neat and tidy. I had to figure out ways and means of styling it natural. I took about four months out by braiding my hair with extensions. This was to let it grow, and to do some more research.

Around about this time (August 2010), I started a personal blog and decided that I should blog about my hair too. this was before I even read the hundreds of blogs out there. I knew that not many people in Zambia and Africa have reliable internet access, nor do they have high speed connections, nor do they have a computer based job that enables me to sit online all day everyday. So I decided to compile as much information as I could in one place. I also decided to document my natural journey so that as I learn, other people learn too.

This is me in December 2010. The first time I ever wore a ‘fro’ outside of the house

Welcome to It’s Natural! Tambokenu. Mwaiseni. Takulandirani. Karibuni.