"Wajoko!" – The One Yoruba Word Every Child With Hair Feared 😂

If you're Yoruba, you already know what "Wajoko" means.

"Come and sit down."

The moment I heard those words on a Sunday afternoon, I knew my peaceful day was officially over. 😂
My mum would bring out her apoti (small wooden chair), arrange all the combs, rubber bands and hair cream like she was preparing for surgery. Meanwhile, I was already thinking of excuses.

"Mummy, my stomach hurts." "Mummy, I'm feeling sleepy."

None of it ever worked. Before I knew it, I was sitting between her knees while she declared war on my hair.

Comb after comb. Pull after pull. Every knot felt personal. 😭 I honestly believed she enjoyed torturing me, yet somehow, an hour later, I'd be looking in the mirror with neat cornrows, feeling like the prettiest girl in the neighbourhood😍 ... while silently promising myself I'd escape next Sunday.

Looking back now, I smile because my mum wasn't trying to hurt me. She simply cared for my hair the way many parents did at the time.

Today, studying trichology has taught me something Afro-textured hair isn't "hard" or "stubborn." It's naturally more delicate because every curl creates natural weak points along the hair shaft. When dry hair is forced through with a fine comb or pulled under too much tension, it breaks more easily. Repeated tight styling can even contribute to traction alopecia over time

The good news is that children's hair care doesn't have to be painful. A little moisture, detangling in sections, starting from the ends, using a wide-tooth comb or fingers first, and taking your time can completely change the experience. Hair day can become something children actually enjoy instead of fear.

That's one of the reasons I created the *Hair Buffet Collection* Every product was formulated with one goal in mind: helping people care for their hair gently, consistently, and with an understanding of what healthy hair actually needs. 

Healthy hair starts with good habits, and the right products simply support those habits.

Maybe our mums didn't know then, but we know better now, and that's exactly why hair education matters.

By Saheedat, The Hijabi Trichologist