Thousands, maybe even millions of African women, are wearing hair extensions made in China. What they probably don’t know is that hair may not be, well, from humans. BBC contributor Sam Piranty recently reported from China’s factory zones on the complexities of the Sino-African hair trade and how in a small way this industry represents the best and worst of China’s engagement in Africa.
About Sam Piranty:
Sam Piranty is a London-based freelance journalist whose work has appeared on the BBC World Service, Al Jazeera and Think Africa Press among others. Sam is also the project lead for The Borders and Checkpoints Project, a multimedia blog that documents the changing role of borders around the world.
Here are some of the stories referenced in the show:
- The BBC World Service: From Our Own Correspondent show featuring Sam Piranty
- BBCNews.com: The salons that hope you can’t tell goats and humans apart
