Throughout history, braiding has been used for several reasons—from defining tribes, social status, and other societal classifications to mapping escape routes for slaves. This tradition of carefully intertwining tresses has been passed down through generations and become an integral part of Black and African cultures. Today, braids are used to celebrate and honor one’s ancestral roots as well as express personality and style. Over the last 5,000 years, the appearance of the braids has slightly changed, but the techniques depicted through ancient drawings and artifacts have stayed the same.
In honor of Black History Month, we are celebrating this art form by sharingour favorite braiding stylesand their origins.
1. Cornrows
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Cornrows can be traced back to 3000 B.C. Africa. The patterns typically indicated which tribe a person belonged to and their stature within that tribe. Warriors and kings also used cornrows to show their status in society. Today, the style is seen worldwide and holds significance in West Africa, Sudan, and throughout the horn of Africa. In these locations, the braids can signify a person’s age, marital status, wealth, kinship, religion, or personality. The tight, neat style is kept close to the scalp and can be worn alone or with shells, glass, coral, flowers, and/or twigs enlaced throughout.
Ghana braids originated in Africa and were first seen in hieroglyphics and sculptures made in 500 B.C. Since then, the style has played a large role in Ghanaian cultural, social, and religious traditions. Ghana braids are kept close to the scalp, similar to cornrows, but the Ghanaian design starts small, then moves into a larger pattern until tapering off at the ends. This style typically is not adorned with decorations, but there are different ways of wearing these braids—high ponytails or wrapped buns, for example.
3. Fulani Braids
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Fulani or feed-in braids originate from the Fulani (Fula) people in West Africa and the Sahel region. The large, nomadic community passed on the traditional hairstyle through generations of women. Known for its length and unique patterns, this style features braids that hang or loop on the sides of the head. There will also be a coiffure in the middle of the head. The hair is then decorated with beads, shells, wooden or metal accents, or even a family’s silver coins and amber for heritage purposes.
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Goddess braids date back to Ancient Africa and have a comparable history and appearance to cornrows. The hairstyle was seen as a work of art, creativity, and precision among tribes and was often adorned with metal accents. This look was created by braiding closely to the scalp, and the goddess braids are thick, often raised, and extremely defined.
5. Box Braids
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Box braids originate in South Africa and can be traced back to 3500 B.C. This style, then and into the present day, takes up to eight hours to create. Many believed if a woman was able to afford the time and cost of these braids, she was a woman of wealth. Women also showed their readiness for marriage, economic status, and other classifications through colorful beads, cowrie shells, jewels, and other items worn in their box braids.
6. Dreadlocs & Faux Locs
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Contrary to popular belief, dreadlocs (also known as dreadlocks) originated in Africa, not Jamaica. The style was first seen in 2500 B.C. in The Vedas, where the Hindu God Shiva was said to wear “jaTaa” (dreadlocs in Sanskrit). Locs were also seen in Egyptian carvings, drawings, and ancient artifacts. Over thousands of years, mummified pharaohs have been recovered with their dreads completely intact. Later, the style was seen in the Himba Tribe in Namibia. There, the hair was used to indicate a person’s age or marital status—for example, a young woman would wear her dreads tied back to reveal her face and show she’s ready for marriage. Today, this hairstyle is seen worldwide and represents several meanings for various cultures.
Cornrows (sometimes called canerows) are a style of traditionally three-strand braids, originating in Africa, in which the hair is braided very close to the scalp, using an underhand, upward motion to make a continuous, raised row.
can be traced back to 3000 B.C. Africa. The patterns typically indicated which tribe a person belonged to and their stature within that tribe. Warriors and kings also used cornrows to show their status in society.
One of the earliest depictions of braided hairstyles hails from the 3,500 BC Saharan desert. Ancient African cave paintings depicted images of women with intricate braids weaved close to their scalp, or, as we know them now, cornrows.
Enslaved women would braid each other's hair, incorporating intricate patterns and designs, which not only celebrated their heritage but also served as a way to communicate messages and escape routes for those seeking freedom. In the post-slavery era, hair braiding continued to play a vital role in Black communities.
For Indigenous people, our hair connects us to our heritage and our ancestors, but also to the creator and earth. Braided hair is symbolic of strength, wisdom and honouring ancestors. I've talked to Indigenous parents who deeply bonded with their children when braiding their hair while imparting life's teachings.
Braids have been utilized for thousands of years around the world, dating back as early as 3500 BCE. The cornrow specifically may be the oldest braiding style. A French ethnologist and his team discovered a Stone Age rock painting in the Sahara depicting a woman with cornrows feeding her child.
Braiding was and still is an important cultural tradition among many Indigenous American tribes. While each tribe has its own relationship to braids, many see braiding as a spiritual act, with the three strands representing the body, mind and spirit.
African people such as the Himba people of Namibia have been braiding their hair for centuries. In many African tribes, hairstyles are unique and used to identify each tribe. Braid patterns or hairstyles can indicate a person's community, age, marital status, wealth, power, social position, and religion.
This tradition of carefully intertwining tresses has been passed down through generations and become an integral part of Black and African cultures. Today, braids are used to celebrate and honor one's ancestral roots as well as express personality and style.
Hair braids date as far back as the Mayan and Aztec civilizations, which practiced intricate hair braiding to indicate what community or tribe they belonged to. This is why braids are such a popular hairstyle in Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of Central America, even today.
In Viking times, braids were not just about keeping your hair out of your face while you pillage and plunder. They were imbued with meanings, from marital status (single and ready to mingle with other raiders) to spiritual significance (braids tight enough to keep the gods happy).
“Braids have been impressionable throughout history,” says Sims. “The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BC—they were very popular among women.” “Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia,” says Pace.
Since your hair is on your head, it holds a lot of your mental and spiritual energy. Creating a small braid that's been influenced by your own positive vibes protects this sacred energy. The protection braid is a symbol of positivity that guards you from negative frequencies.
It is important to note that many European cultures have had braids historically, which suggests that there may be more to this debate than meets the eye. Ultimately, each individual needs to decide for themselves what they believe constitutes cultural appropriation.
“Braids have been impressionable throughout history,” says Sims. “The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BC—they were very popular among women.” “Braiding started in Africa with the Himba people of Namibia,” says Pace. “These people have been braiding their hair for centuries.
Braids are thought to have originated in Africa, with many cultures adopting the style and making it their own. One of the earliest examples of braids can be seen on the Lady of Aguilafuente statue dating back to around 4,500 BC.
In Viking society, women wore their hair long as a sign of status and to be appreciated for its beauty. Naturally, these hard-working women tied their hair back, braided it, or wore it up to keep it out of their way while they worked the loom or performed their other daily tasks.
Indigenous communities like the Quechua and Aymara are also known for their hair braids, which often communicate a person's identity, connection to ancestors, strength, and vitality. Braids are even used to celebrate or mark life events and milestones.
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Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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