The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WHAT started as a group of women discussing natural hair on Facebook has today grown into a big, real life celebration known as CurlyFest Bahamas.

And next month, organisers will stage the second annual festival to proclaim their pride in all things natural.

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Malika Pryor-Martin started her online natural hair group after relocating to the Bahamas with her husband. She came up with the idea for the group so that women could have a place to come together and discuss hair, give advice and offer encouragement to each other.

After the social media group grew by leaps and bounds in a short amount of time, Malika said she wanted to take the discussions among Bahamian naturalistas out of cyberspace and into the real world.

Those who proudly rock their natural kinks and curls are invited to join Malika for a time of celebration during the unique event next month.

“As naturals, we kept hearing and reading about contests, parties, rallies, meet-ups, etcetera, in other countries. I think after having a successful natural hair meet-up last year, group members wanted to see and experience something more. And then #supportthepuff happened. It was led by young people, and with the support of the natural hair community here the hashtag became a worldwide phenomenon. Seeing such passion and poise over the pervasive ignorance around self-acceptance and natural hair, I was inspired and really compelled to do CurlyFest Bahamas. I wanted to see women, girls, and frankly all of us, celebrate that victory. I saw another degree of conversation and a real push against the status quo ideal of beauty and acceptability. I think the #supportthepuff touched every natural and even many who aren’t. At some point, it has to be OK for people of colour, particularly black and brown women and girls, to be able to be their natural selves and for the society in which they live to understand that is perfectly fine,” she told Tribune Woman.

CurlyFest takes place at Doongalik Studios on June 11, from 2pm to 8pm. The event will include live hair demonstrations and talks on hair care; a pop-up spa and salon where event-goers can have simple styles and treatments done on-site; a dance party with a live DJ; giveaways; food vendors, and the ‘Hey, Young World” children’s zone.

“CurlyFest Bahamas is truly for everyone, and certainly natural, even if you don’t think hair is a big deal. There’s food for everyone, activities for everyone, even the fellas. I get excited when I talk about the event because I know it’s going to be amazing as long as the people come. Events like this thrive with a crowd. I know some folks will say they don’t like crowds, but that’s where the energy of an event comes from. You just want it to be positive energy. That’s why we call CurlyFest, a celebration of you,” she said.

Malika said the main aim of the event is for those who attend “to have tremendous fun in the name of self-care and love.”

“Of course questions of identity are serious, and CurlyFest isn’t here to make light of them. Yet even in the middle of truly serious times we have to find a moment to rejoice, to let your hair down, and at CurlyFest we mean that, literally. Because today, no one could make me second-guess myself. Yesterday, my hair looked amazing and I did it on my own. We have all triumphed over something. Whatever it is, CurlyFest is the victory party,” she told Tribune Woman.

Though the event is intended to be a fun experience, Malika said she hopes to debunk certain misconceptions regarding natural hair and the movement.

“CurlyFest Bahamas and Nassau Naturalistas are both built on the idea that #itsallgood, and that is really a shot at the core of the anti-natural sentiments out there. This idea that hair can somehow be morally corrupt, or bad, is actually a little crazy. But there are others out there, especially relating to the workplace, and we are going to lay those misconceptions to rest as well.

With respect to the deeper conversations of how hair connects to other questions and challenges of identity, Nassau Naturalistas is following up CurlyFest with a panel discussion on June 12 (also at Doongalik, from 3pm-5pm), to engage those weighty issues with more care and time,” she said.

Malika said she hopes those attending CurlyFest “feel happy to be kinky, curly, nappy – whatever description of their hair that they embrace.”

Tickets for the event are $5 for adults and $3 for children.