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Indigenous beauty

CITY CORRESPONDENT
They did not follow in their ancestors' footsteps. They adopted a different lifestyle. They nurture aspirations for a better future. Leaving behind their homes in the country's hilly regions, young adhibasi (indigenous) women are migrating to the city to carve out a niche in the capital.
The green of the hills and forests no longer surround them. Instead, most are employed within the four walls of Dhaka's numerous beauty parlours, offering their services to beauty-conscious urban women.
Mostly belonging to the indigenous Garo tribe, these young girls and women are found in almost all the beauty parlours in the city. The
majority of them are Christians, coming from Madhupur, Durgapur, Mymensingh and Sylhet.
"It was from the early days of the beauty parlour business that these indigenous girls began to show up for employment," said Razia Begum of Dreams Beauty Parlour in Dhanmondi.
"Since there was an invisible taboo for women of the middle or upper classes to join such a profession, the joining of indigenous girls eased the problem," she said. Now, the attitude of people has changed and many women from the educated classes are becoming entrepreneurs of the industry, she added.
Most of the Garo girls were brought into the profession by relatives or acquaintances. "My
niece who worked with a beauty parlour brought me here four years ago," said Bithi, a Garo girl from Sylhet working at Wang Chinese Beauty Parlour. "I mastered the skills and am now earning Tk 7,000 a month."
Their wages depend on dexterity. "Seniors are more skilled and highly paid," said Sathee who works at Persona in Dhanmondi. "It needs time as well as innate quality to become an expert in hairstyling or skin treatment," she said.
The girls take lots of pleasure in their work. They are well at ease in the ambience of luxurious parlours. "We work together in a cosy atmosphere that feels like living at home," said Lucy, who also works at Persona. "This job is convenient for me, since it does not require much education, is secure and has few risks," she added.
They work six days a week from 9.00 in the morning to 8.00 in the evening. The indigenous beauticians take a break from their busy schedules once a week. In most cases, they get lodging free. "This is a big help for me since I need not pay house rent," said Lucy who lives with her husband and kids in a room provided by her employer.
Most beauty parlour owners expressed happiness with the performance of the indigenous girls. "They are very enthusiastic and quick at learning," said Baby Shahnaz, owner of Shahnaz Beauty Parlour at New DOHS.
"We should appreciate the way they are earning a living," said Kaniz Almas Khan, owner of Persona, where at least 40 Garo girls work.
Apart from helping their families back at home, some women are trying to pave their way for a better life on their own. Eva Nokrek is studying at Open University and plans to sit for SSC examinations next year.
She wants to pursue higher studies and expressed gratitude to her employer for providing her enough time to study.