29/05/2026
One of the most entertaining places in South Sudan is a local salon. Not the fancy ones with AC and drinks. I mean the ones inside the market, where the tea is hot and the gossip is hotter. ☕👀
Now, those of you who know me, know well that I am not a saloon person. Infact, I am not a hair person. Usually, the barbershop is my vibe, but on rare occasions, I do braid my hair, one of those rare occasions was today.
Today I was bored, free, and craving local news… And what better place to get entertainment, if not a local salon?😅😅 So off I went…💪🏾!
First, Let me describe the Salon cast:🤭🤭
There’s always that one lady following Nigerian videos or short comedies on TikTok, from time to time, the others have to run to her phone to see what’s going on, for she is a perfect commentator for movies…
Then there’s that one lady who always has a crying baby, disrupting work, and oh, God help any client who sits in her chair. You’ll be there for 8 hours and still not done….!😟😟
There’s also the sleeping one, you wonder when she really works… 😳😳
There’s always a regular client whose marriage crisis is followed like a Netflix series. Everyone waits for her arrival with the next episode….😢
And finally, there’s always the gossip queen. That one is my favorite, she has all the most recent tea in the area and knows exactly who did what, to whom and why.😂😂
When you walk in, you learn. You unlearn and relearn😊!
So today, walked in, sat down. Showed the plaiter my desired hair, we agreed on price and Work begins…!
Then a woman walks in. Exuding a Strong bad odor. She greets us and proceeds her way! Before any of us could say anything, my plaiter bent toward her colleague and whispered “Do you know who that woman is?” Her colleague said no. Then she proceeded, “ this is the women who murdered her co-wife’s three month old baby, a few months ago. karma caught up with her, that’s where body has been smelling like that ever since.” then they went on and on, reminiscing about the entire story…
Then shortly after, “Moji” song by Ladu Eyobo plays on the loud speakers. They sing along beautifully. Then they start naming all the “big shots” involved in “Moji practice”, and all the people they sacrificed. Some of the names I was quite familiar with. The confidence with which they spoke, you might think they can produce hard evidence if they get subpoenaed!😅
After a short while, someone who recognized me waved at me as he passed by, they all waved back at him, unaware he was waving at me…
As soon as he was out of sight, one of them started, do you know this is the guy who got his sister in-law pregnant…? Another responded “the one whose wife wanted to stab? In chorus “Yes” and the story went on and on…
Finally, we found ourselves talking about a certain pastor who has been faking miracles. I don’t know how I became part of that conversation or at point point I started leading it….😂😂😂
But behold, I had a great day today, and yes, my hair, I loved it. My plaiter maybe a gossip machine, but her hands no doubt, are gifted…😍😍👏🏾👏🏾
That lady’s hands know what they’re doing. And her mouth Also knows exactly what it’s doing.😂😂
Lessons from a local salon:
1️⃣Everyone has a story. Some are true. Some are… creative. Listen, but don’t carry everything home.
2️⃣Karma doesn’t send a warning letter. It just shows up… sometimes in ways unexpected...
3️⃣You can get great work done by flawed people. The same hands that braid your hair might also be spreading tea. Focus on the skill.
4️⃣And finally, if you ever want to know what’s really happening in your neighbourhood, skip Facebook. Go to a local salon. Take a seat. And just listen.
I had a great day. My hair looks amazing. And I now know way too much about people I’ve never met. 🙃
