The Bana tribe of Omo Valley Ethiopia takes everyday hair accessories to a new level. The use of the metal snap clips is primarily to keep the hair in place, but the bright colors and patterns also promote individuality and a bright, happy appearance. The metal clips (which were super popular in the US in the 90s but have faded since then) are imported into the country from China;
“In Key Afer market, once a week, you can see thousands coming with their best clothes. They can now find some stuff from all around the world, mainly from China, cheap, and start to mix and recycle everything!”
The trend is so popular it crosses gender lines. Plenty of men in the Bana tribe use the metal snap clips for accessorizing.
Are you familiar with the Bana tribe? Are there any other tribal trends you’ve heard of?
4 Responses
Kinda funny to me…especially the male wearing the clips with the little flowers on them.
I saw an indigenous woman wearing a headdress with bottle caps! The things we throw away gets picked up and turned into such original and stunning adornment. “Third world” is hardly an appropriate description. They are way ahead of us.
Wow, that is incredibly cool! To think that other nations take what we consider off-trend trash and accessorize themselves beautifully with it.
Have you ladies ever considered African threading? African threading is the quickest way to grow thy hair. A trial will convince you.