The Strength of a Nigerian Woman Named Jane
As Jane styles her clients' hair in her afro-braiding salon, she proudly shares her story as a foreigner living in Brazil. Coming from Nigeria, a country in Africa with a different language, wasn’t easy, especially since her final destination was Ponta Grossa, Paraná—a city predominantly populated by white people.
Temitope Jane Aransiola, 28, hails from Lagos, Nigeria. Moving to another country marked the beginning of a new journey for her, giving her the chance to spread her wings and discover new horizons. It was an opportunity to build her life in a new place while carrying the rich experiences she gained in her home country along the Gulf of Guinea.
A New Journey Begins
To understand the journey that brought her here, let’s rewind ten years to 2011, when Jane arrived in Brazil with her twin brother, Abdou. Their parents always dreamed of sending their children abroad to explore new places. This motivation sparked Jane’s immense curiosity to see the world beyond her own. After finishing high school, she researched the best places to study. While still a teenager working as a teaching assistant, she made her way to Brazil, "landing unexpectedly in Ponta Grossa."
Jane wished to study in a country where she could speak her language, which would ease her studies. However, the only scholarship available was in Brazil. Her mother encouraged her to go to Sweden, but her father felt it was time for her to continue her education.
“Coming to Brazil wasn’t my choice, but I believe nothing happens by coincidence, and that’s why I’m here,” she shares, emotionally. Before moving, she completed an intensive Portuguese course lasting about three months to grasp the basics of conversation.
The process for studying at the State University of Ponta Grossa is known as PEC G: the Program for Students—Agreement of Graduation. Currently, 68 countries across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe are enrolled in this program. According to the government’s official website, it “provides students from developing countries, with which Brazil maintains educational, cultural, or scientific-technical agreements, the opportunity to pursue their undergraduate studies at Brazilian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).” Upon arriving in Brazil, Jane set about regularising her documentation and enrolment.
At that time, there was no guidance from the university to assist with this process; another immigrant, an Angolan who arrived just days before, helped Jane and her brother navigate it.
They stayed in a student house for two days, but Jane’s sister, accustomed to a different reality, worried they weren’t well accommodated. Jane saw the place as an opportunity to meet new people and integrate into her new country. Additionally, it allowed her to save money since her home currency, the Naira, is devalued against the Real. Grateful for the kindness of the foreigner who welcomed them, Jane made it a point to assist other immigrants arriving in Ponta Grossa in the following years.
The Daily Struggle of Living Away from Home
Throughout the interview, even when discussing the tough situations she faced during her migration process, Jane strives to express gratitude for her journey and the challenges of being a foreigner.
One significant discomfort was that her initial friendships often stemmed from mere curiosity. “They wanted to taste the food from my country and learn more about it. Once that curiosity faded, people pretended they didn’t know me,” she recalls, visibly moved.
Discrimination due to her race and status as a foreigner negatively impacted Jane's experience in Brazil. She often heard phrases like “you’re taking a spot from Brazilians” and “Brazil is great for letting people like you come here to study, right?” Such remarks not only affronted her because of her skin colour but also affected preconceived notions about her intellectual capabilities.
During their time here, Jane and her brother worked seasonal jobs, like in restaurants, to earn some money. This period was challenging for Jane, who was battling depression. It was her brother who motivated and encouraged her to persevere.
Having studied in a country with a different language, Jane knew she would have to prove her knowledge through the work she’d completed in Brazil when she returned home, but securing a job proved difficult, leading to increased discouragement.
“I didn’t even have 5,000 reais to go back home. The law didn’t allow us to work, and my course was full-time. I needed to be understanding; my parents couldn’t afford to bring me and my siblings back to Nigeria.”
A conversation group helped her cope with living away from home. Her affection for the mediator, Cloris, was such that she referred to her as “Brazilian mum.” These individuals provided the support that kept Jane from giving up on her journey in Brazil. “There was a group led by a professor from the language department. That space was more than just academic production; it was entirely therapeutic. All that support was fantastic; she helped a lot.”
When it came to the reception she received in the city, it was a complete surprise. She had expected that “Brazilians would be very friendly and make me feel at home.” From her Portuguese classes in Nigeria, she had learned about Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, so she anticipated a warmer welcome. “I don’t know if the issue was that I arrived here brimming with enthusiasm, but you soon realise that social relations here are different.”
Jane’s adaptation was incredibly challenging; it took her about three years to feel at home in Brazil. I asked if she ever considered going back to Nigeria. “I thought about it, but not as something I would genuinely do. Sometimes, the only option you have is to move forward and not look back. I had lovely colleagues and wonderful teachers, but it was still tough. It was a daily battle.”
“When I thought about leaving, I remembered the day we received the results and my brother and I were accepted. It was the early hours of the morning, and my parents were smiling and dancing because their three children passed the selection process. I couldn’t let them down; it was my responsibility to honour their efforts... Nigeria will always be my first home, but Brazil will always be my second. I can’t leave here; I have friends, Brazilian mothers. Every place has its challenges, regardless of where I am. The issue of race is a problem everywhere.”
Shared Dreams
The idea of starting a braiding business emerged in 2013 when Jane noticed a lack of salons in the city catering to textured hair. She couldn’t find a place that treated her hair the way it needed. Jane and her friends would braid each other’s hair, catching the attention of others.
Initially, they would braid hair for anyone who asked, without charge. However, demand skyrocketed. In 2013, they received an invitation from the Racial Relations Centre at UEPG’s language department to visit a quilombola community and explain the importance and beauty of their hair to young girls there.
The situation they encountered was disheartening. Many girls were ashamed to let others touch their hair. This motivated Jane and her friends to begin serving the public. “On top of the issues of skin colour, you also have to deal with your hair.”
Contrary to what some might think, Jane didn’t learn to braid with the intention of working in that field; it was simply a talent she had. She refined her skills in Brazil, researching what was trending. “This makes it even more rewarding and warms my heart because I know I’m making a difference in the lives of others. It’s amazing to see those who started with us in 2013 now sharing tips with us.”
Her salon, now located at 15 Doutor Colares Street in the city centre, initially operated in a makeshift space near the university. The move came because she felt the need for a more visible space that could accommodate everything they desired to do.
She opened the new salon amid the pandemic, in November 2020. Despite the chaos of COVID-19, her clients remained loyal. “It’s a crazy move to open a salon during a pandemic, but it worked out.”
Today, in addition to her beauty salon, Jane is also a partner in a swimwear store called Temini, which sells across Brazil. What’s the goal? “We want to see African culture represented as it deserves,” Jane shares proudly. Besides bikinis and swim trunks, they sell turbans, satin caps, and earrings.
With a confident gaze, Jane notes that she has shared many stories, often taken out of context. “I can count on one hand the interviews that truly made me happy—just two. They represented what I was saying without twisting it. It’s not that we don’t want to talk about our stories; it’s about how they’re presented.”
Regarding her perception of Nigeria, Jane reveals that her recent visit changed her outlook. She felt everything there was smaller, with rushed, somewhat brusque service, which disappointed her. However, despite these new differences, she insists, “My heart has two homes: Nigeria and Brazil.”
Conhecer novos ares é uma necessidade de quem tá vivo, o ar que a gente respira nunca é o mesmo da ultima respiração, Jane é um inspiração, sua história me inspirou, graças a este texto escrito de forma extraordinária que traz de forma leve e fluida uma história tão desafiadora e vencedora.