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Black Barbershop in Shanghai
If you’re of African heritage living in Shanghai or thinking about moving to Shanghai, it is likely you’re looking for a barbershop that can cut black hair to keep you fresh from week to week. Grooms & Co. By Cultura Barbershop is a new concept born in 2022 focusing on experience, comfort, and a range of services for both expats and locals. Grooms & Co is located in downtown Jing An district surrounded by restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Address: Haifang Road 555-2. Jing An District Phone: 187-0174-3842 WeChat: finecuts When I first came to Shanghai, I tried going to local Chinese barbers to save money, which was a big…
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The Indigenous Black Filipinos
Growing up in the U.S, I often heard East Asians refer to Southeast Asians, more so Filipinos, as the “Blacks of Asia”, but never really thought much of it. I thought it had more to do with many Filipino-Americans affinity towards Black culture rather than their physical appearance, but after visiting the Philippines and seeing the indigenous people, it made a lot more sense. Origins The indigenous people of the Philippines, known as the “Aeta”, are a group related to the Negrito (Spanish term for “little black person”) ethnic group occupying parts of the Andaman Islands in India, Malaysia, and Thailand. They are characterized by their short statue, kinky hair,…
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Being Black in China
Many wonder what being Black in China is like. This is a tough and complex question, but it largely depends on a variety of factors. The city one is in, one’s nationality, skin color/physical features, gender, etc. City: In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the average local is educated and well-traveled enough to not really stare at you. Also, in major cities, Black foreigners are more common, which means many locals will probably have had some interaction with Black people at some point in their life. In smaller cities/provinces, Black people are rare of course; however, that doesn’t mean you will be mistreated. Locals in smaller cities will be…
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Being Black in Korea
I spent 27 months in South Korea and loved every minute of it. Coming as a 21 year-old fresh out of college was the experience of a lifetime. Until this day, it remains as one of the best times in my life. I am often asked my experience being Black in Korea. While it is true that anti-blackness exists in Korea (as it does all over the world) it is not to the extent most people think. I recall very few instances of overt anti-blackness during my time here. It is important to note that my experience as a Black person may have been different from others based on my Japanese…
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Malaysia’s Indigenous Black People
Taman Negara is home to the world’s oldest rainforest, and unknown to many, home to a large number of Malaysia’s indigenous Black people. Months before my trip to Malaysia, I watched a documentary about the black presence in Asia. I was captivated by the natives of Malaysia. Their short statue, dark pigment, and Afro-textured hair was certainly far from the image I had of a typical Malaysian. I wanted to connect with these indigenous Malaysians and show the world that such people did exist. I was determined to meet them. The native people here are called the Batek people. Contrary to what people may believe, these people are some of the…
