Today I had the opportunity to visit one of Beni’s many hair salons. Hair
in Beni is serious business, although it’s not quite like before. Nowadays
many women don’t have the money to spend on extensions and intricate
braidings, instead prioritizing school fees and food for their kids, Mavé
Kavota told me as she was busy tending to a customer. Some of her clients have
also left Beni following the upsurge in violence over the past twelve
months.

Though at Vincent Afro Expert all the hairdressers were busy combing,
braiding and relaxing the clients’ hair. Some ladies were getting pedicures
and manicures. Music was blasting from the stereo behind the counter. The
artist, a local talent, also worked at the salon.

It was a nice afternoon in Beni where so much of the reporting so far has
focused on the ongoing conflict.

Katarina Höije