Hakim-a-barber is Dee’s partner, whom Dee brings to Mama and Maggie’s house with her. When they arrive at the house, he greets the family by saying “Asalamalakim,” and so Mama mockingly uses this to refer to him as “Asalamakim” throughout the rest of the story. Walker portrays Hakim-a-barber as uptight and over-intellectualizing, unable to connect to Dee’s family.