Teenagers Mariam Oumar and Aldjass Oumar of the Ouled Badr in Batha, Chad (after applying Chébé to their hair). “The mountains of Chad’s Guéra region, home to the native plant croton gratissimus, known as Chébé. Chébé is really important to us because we consider healthy, beautiful long hair as the ultimate symbol of femininity and vitality,” explains @salwapetersen of Chad’s Gorane (Dazagarè). “While typically performed a few times a week, Chébé, like many Chadian beauty rituals, can also mark different rites of passage, such as when a young girl reaches puberty or becomes a mother. To prepare the treatment before application, a woman will set out three bowls, one containing water, the second with Chébé powder, and the third with a mix of oils and butters, typically shea butter and sesame oil. Then, between alternating layers of the water and blend of oils and butters, she will spread the Chébé powder through sections of a loved one’s hair—generously, from roots to tips, for maximum moisture—while meticulously braiding the hair into long plaits that trail all the way down the back. 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.” Thank you to Salwa Petersen (and family). Luke Kene. 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 Mahamat, Heiba Mahamat, Dar El Naim Abdel Latif, Habiba Adbel Latif, Oumayma Abdel Nassir, Al Raouda Abdel Nassir and Kaltouma Mahamat Nour in Ferrick. Beït Mama’s Awatif Baroud, Fanné Djimé, Achta Hassan and Issac in N’Djamena. Vogue’s Olivia, Landon and Lauren.