Habiba Hissen of the Bassara Arab tribe in Guéra, Chad (before applying Chébé to her hair). “Chébé is a gift left up in the mountain by God so it can bring down our hair to great lengths,” says Néné Izou, a member of the Bassara Arab tribe of Northern Chad. “In the rocky mountains of Chad’s Guéra region, a native plant with rust-hued flower buds called croton gratissimus, known as Chébé, grows in droves. From February to April, its seeds are harvested, then sun dried, winnowed, and roasted before they are blended into a silky fine powder. The female members of Izou’s tribe, and other nomadic women of the region, are known for their thick and lustrous hair, which often falls well below the belly button. The key to retaining their lengths? Chébé, an ancient hair-care ritual that’s been practiced by their ancestors for millennia. The Chébé tree is believed to be a magic tree with magic powers. Chébé is really important to us because we consider healthy, beautiful long hair as the ultimate symbol of femininity and vitality. The intricate small braids along the hair line and middle partings, which are sometimes adorned with jewelry, are called “gouroune, They are designed for edge control and to keep partings neat. They can also be symbolic. Two braids in the middle instead of one is exclusive to married women. The way we braid our hair in Chad sends a message. A big, large forehead is considered a sign of beauty in Chad. You will notice that all those women have the most beautiful, strong, long, and healthy hair everywhere except in the front where they do not apply Chébé to keep it short on purpose” explains @salwapetersen 💕 Thank you to Salwa Petersen (and family). All Chad crew Tommoso, Adam, Jonathan, Mohammed and Yousaf. Mariam Abdel Haman, Hababa Idris, Lazoun Hassab Al Karim, Aldjass Oumar, Hadjara Hassan, Mariam Oumar, Doungoussia Issa, Rokhaya Mahamat , Acha Mahamat, Halima Adoum, Acha Youssouf, Halima Adoum, Hawa Oumar, Zahra Ibrahim, Soura Oumar, Salmata Adoum in Batha.Néné Izou, Brahim Bourma Jo), Haliki Abarass, Arafa Makki, Khadidjah Akoua, Safia Mahamat Nour, Rachida As-Sileck, Biss Haggar, Habiba Hissen, Khadidja Akouna, Aché Adoum, Fatimé