Suki na ngai

Shabani looking in a mirror with curious eyes, touching his fluffy black hair. Mama smiling, running her fingers through his curls.

Shabani looked in the mirror and touched his fluffy black hair. "Mama, why is my hair so big?" he asked with curious eyes. Mama smiled and ran her fingers through his soft curls. "Your hair grows up toward the sun because it's full of magic," she explained.

Shabani's Question

Shabani with a tight expression on his face, standing quietly with his backpack, thinking about his hair. A preschool playground in the background.

At preschool, a friend said Shabani's hair looked different. Shabani felt his tummy get tight and his smile disappear. On the way home, he was quiet, thinking about his big hair. "Papa, can we cut my hair short like yours?" he finally asked.

School Day Worries

Shabani sitting on Papa's lap, looking at a photo album filled with images of men with big afros. Shabani whispering in awe.

Papa sat Shabani on his lap and opened a photo album. "Look at these strong men with hair just like yours," Papa said proudly. Shabani saw musicians, athletes, and even Papa when he was younger with a big afro. "They look like superheroes!" Shabani whispered.

Papa's Stories

Mama washing Shabani's hair with special shampoo in a bathroom, a wide-tooth comb and coconut-scented bubbles around.

Mama sang softly as she washed Shabani's hair with special shampoo. She showed him how to use a wide-tooth comb to make his curls happy. "Taking care of your hair is a way to love yourself," Mama explained. Shabani liked how his hair felt soft and smelled like coconut.

Mama's Gentle Hands

Mamie braiding Shabani's hair, a colorful cloth headwrap nearby. Shabani sitting still, listening to Mamie's stories.

Mamie visited and brought a beautiful cloth headwrap. "Our ancestors wore their hair proud and tall," she told Shabani while braiding his hair. "Your hair connects you to your history and your strength." Shabani sat very still, feeling important as Mamie's stories filled the room.

Mamie's Wisdom

Shabani helping Mama gather coconut oil and shea butter. The family gathered in the living room, Papa oiling his hair, Mama and Mamie styling their hair.

Shabani helped Mama gather coconut oil, shea butter, and colorful hair ties. The whole family gathered in the living room for hair care night. Papa oiled his short cut while Mama and Mamie styled their hair. "We take care of our crowns together," Papa said.

The Hair Party

Shabani at preschool with his hair in neat puffs, smiling proudly. His classmates looking at him with interest.

Shabani returned to preschool with his hair in neat puffs. "My hair grows up because it's magical," he told his friends with a big smile. His teacher asked him to share about his hairstyle with the class. Shabani stood tall and proud as he spoke.

New Confidence

Mamie hugging Shabani warmly, teaching him 'Suki na ngai'. Shabani touching his hair with a smile, repeating the words.

"What does 'Suki na ngai' mean?" Shabani asked as Mamie taught him the words. "It means 'I like myself' in one of our family languages," she explained with a warm hug. Shabani touched his beautiful hair and repeated, "Suki na ngai." He truly meant it.