Any question answered...

what's with the Afro-Caribbean thing of barbers and hairdressers opening really late? It seems like a great thing culturally. Where does it come from?

If you don't want an afro, you need to touch up frequently. After it's a habit. And a cultural thing.
Hard to say really without sounding racist. When you're robbed of your roots, you'll make up some crazy new customs.

Open till late? Because the bashments start late and you can pop in on your way to a party :-)