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NATURAL IN SURINAME
As a 35-year-old naturalist, I have
been natural all my life. One of the
reasons I have never permed my hair,
is because I was able to do braids at
a very young age. At the age of seven
I was able to do braids for others. At
the Secondary School (12-16 years
old), I used to comb my own hair.
Braiding became one of my hobbies.
During that time, I spent my Sunday
afternoons braiding hair for five to
six girls, all for free. I was already
promoting the braiding of natural
hair. I only braided natural hair, no
extensions. At a young age I knew I
would never perm my hair. Another
reason, is that many of the people
that I saw with permed hair, often
complained of having damaged hair
after a while
y eldest sister has also been an inspiration to me, by not perming. As such, her hair was able to
Mflourish and grow extremely long. As usual, I’m the one who always braids for my three sisters. I
also enjoy braiding my own hair.
Over the past ten to fifteen years most people in my country became more aware of their natural hair.
They have learned to embrace their coils. Some of the Facebook pages in Suriname that encourage
naturals are “Natural Candies” and “Kroeshaar and zo”. My hairdresser from Precious Touch Hair Salon,
is also an inspiration for many people in Suriname. Nowadays, she has quarantine talks on Facebook,
where she explains different topics about natural hair. She is the only trichologist in Suriname. She is
my number one adviser. Furthermore, I also follow various YouTubers from Suriname, the Netherlands,
UK, and USA for tips and natural hairstyles.
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Moreover, I’ve never experienced The last ten years I’ve seen more
discrimination because of my natural hair.
self-love and self-care for the natural
While I was studying in China, people often hair amongst the black people in my
tried to touch my natural hair. Suriname, a country. There are several natural
Dutch speaking country in South America hair salons, even for children. This
has a population of about half a million. It year, it was planned to have a natural
has a multi-ethnic population from whose hair fair, but because of covid-19, it
ancestors came from Africa, China, India, has been canceled. Furthermore,
and Indonesia. The original inhabitants are a natural hair beauty contest was
the Amerindians. Together the black people held in 2017. The natural hair
(Maroons and Creole) make up about 37 community embraces the natural
percent of the population (the biggest ethnic hair, and gradually we see that many
group). It means that Surinamese are aware people are following this group. In
of natural hair. Some of the offspring from offices, our Parliament, journalists,
the enslaved Africans who escaped to the etcetera, are proud of their natural
interior, are called Maroons hair. Even people with straight hair
like the natural hair and usually give
compliments to naturals.
s a naturalist, I was only using grease for my hair. I was not using conditioner, oils and creams for
Amy hair. However, over the last 8 years I’ve learned to use products based on my low hair porosity;
do different treatments such as vitamin and protein. I’ve gained this new knowledge from visits to the
natural hair salon and from YouTubers who provide valuable information on how to properly care for
your hair. My hair had never passed my shoulder. However, since developing a good hair regime, it has
passed the middle of my back.
I believe that the natural hair community will become bigger in Suriname, because we have enough
knowledge about natural hair care. Also, many Surinamese are making their own natural hair products.
The market is full of good products. Without knowledge and understanding, it is impossible to make and
use the right products.
Biography:
My name is Naomi Bonté. I’m an Economist of their beautiful hair, a blessing from the Lord.
and I work in the banking sector. I’m a licensed As a human being you need to embrace your hair,
dance minister. I teach children, teens, and young take care of it and you will see the growth. Teach
adults, liturgical dance. I also like to embroider a child, when he’s young, that what the Lord has
and to crochet and I like to study languages. I blessed him with, is the best.
speak Dutch, English, Spanish, basic French, and
basic Chinese. I’m glad more people are aware
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