This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
May 11, 2020, marked a peculiar trend in East Africa, where a hairstyle resembling the coronavirus has become a symbol of awareness and economic resilience.
Sharon Refa, a 24-year-old hairdresser in Nairobi's Kibera slum, has been braiding young girls' hair into the distinctive 'antennae-like spikes' known as the 'coronavirus hairstyle.'
Refa's clients, mostly young children, are eager to sanitize their hands and wear masks, but many adults in the community do not follow these precautions. The hairstyle is a creative way to spread awareness about the pandemic.
"Some grownups don't believe that the coronavirus is real, but most young children are keen to sanitize their hands and wear masks," Refa said. "Many adults do not do this, and that is why we came up with the corona hairstyle."
The coronavirus hairstyle is a cheap alternative to more expensive hairstyles, costing only 50 shillings (approximately 40p) compared to the average hairdo, which costs 300 to 500 shillings.
Residents attribute the affordability of the hairstyle to the use of yarn instead of synthetic hair braids, known as threading.
"Covid-19 has destroyed the economy, taken our jobs from us, and now money is scarce," said Mariam Rashid, a 26-year-old mother. "I therefore decided to have my child's hair done up like this at an affordable 50 shillings, and she looks good."
