Black communities, as told through history and folklore across space and time, have an undoubtedly deep connection to Earth and the soil. In the eye of our current environmental storm, Kanekalon Kronicles asks: How do we reconcile the mutual existence of our roots and our hair care practices that is juxtaposed with our very essence? A number of protective hairstyles like Box Braids, Marley twists, and Faux Locs all make use of synthetic fibres. One of the main braiding fibres we, Black women, use is called Kanekalon. This synthetic fibre is composed of vinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate. Is Kanekalon recyclable? What is its impact on the planet when discarded as casually as we do? Where does it end up? Attempting to answer such questions, Kanekalon Kronicles was established as a virtual mpasa* curated in order to explore and unravel the strands between Black hair and the environment. Each mpasa chat is geared towards fostering critical thinking, debates, discussions, storytelling as well as looking into innovation within the Black hair community. 

*Mpasa (mp-a-sa): A traditional Zambian reed mat. In traditional life, a reed mat has a number of uses: it can be used for dining, especially for women and children; it can be used as a bed that can be transported when travelling between villages. It could even be used or seen as a conveyor of information; a meeting place where stories are told and knowledge is passed on to the next generation; a place for discussion when friends and neighbours meet. In this context, the reed mat then becomes a medium where news is delivered or shared, observations are made, topics are introduced and discussed, and narratives are formed or changed and disseminated (Mpilimpli, 2020).

Participants: Emma Blake Morsi, Bristol, UK; Lani Hlalo, Manchester, UK; Carol Lathbridge, co-founder of Tiwani Heritage, London, UK; Noxi Mabuza, Johannesburg, South Africa; Reba Martin, Bristol, UK; Nicole Nduati, Nairobi, Kenya; Artise Fletcher, Washington DC, USA; Anesia Saunders, NYC, USA; Khuthalani Mlaheki, Johannesburg, South Africa

Moderator: Banji Chona, Rome, Italy

Participants: Alaba Angole, Oxford, UK; Joanna Idokogi, London, UK; Lola Cawood, co-founder of Tiwani Heritage, London, UK; Lula Musonda, Lusaka, Zambia; Sami Maseko, Johannesburg, South Africa; Kerril Ote, Nairobi, Kenya; Charity Nyirenda, Lusaka, Zambia; Samantha Siamuzwe, Lusaka, Zambia

Moderator: Banji Chona, Rome, Italy

Participants: Noxi Mabuza, Johannesburg, South Africa; Carol Lathbridge, co-founder of Tiwani Heritage, London, UK; Lola Cawood, co-founder of Tiwani Heritage, London, UK; Mukuma Kawesha, Lusaka, Zambia; Tasheni Muluwe, Basque Country, Spain

Moderator: Banji Chona, Rome, Italy