52 African Hair Braiding Styles To Rock This Month

African hair braiding, give your hair a rest. It can protect your hair against harsh environmental elements. Hair braiding can give you space for your creativity. Most black women are sporting braids since they are gifted with strong black hair which can hold braids well.

History of African Hair Braiding

African hair braiding is an old form of art that is a part of Africa’s tribal customs. It actually originates way back in 3500 BC in Egypt. Every region and tribe in Africa have its own distinct style of hair braiding. During the ancient times, it is used a way of identifying the tribe’s members. It can also be a symbol for their age group, social status, marital status, religion, power, wealth, and community. There are some hair treatments and intricate patterns that are intended for certain ceremonial events such as rites of passage, weddings, social ceremonies, and others. Aside from its deep cultural significance, it can also be a fashion statement.
From an early age, the girls in the tribes wear hair braids. It is usually done by their elder female relatives, either, their grandmothers, mothers, aunts, sisters or cousins. They should observe how it is done so that they can learn. They can practice it on their peers or on girls who are younger than them until they can become an expert. It is done as a social duty with no rewards at all. When braiding, villagers will apply palm oil or shea butter or argan oil on the hair.
Hair braiding is a time-consuming task sometimes it can take a day or two. Some villages are practicing informal reciprocity. This means that if someone braids your hair then you must return the favor by braiding hers. As time progressed, hair-braiding was turned over to the professionals. Over the years, a lot of braiding salons have spread in the urban areas of the United States.
Since hair braiding takes some time to finish, it gives women the chance to socialize. In Africa, hair braiding is considered as a symbol of friendship, intimacy and confidence. In salons, braiders and customers usually talk and laugh together. The custom of braiding was lost for a while during the slave trade. However, it was revived by the immigrants who come from Mali, Togo, Guinea and others. The descendants of these immigrants are encouraged to wear hair braids in order to continue this African tradition.

Importance of Hair

In African culture, there is a belief that a woman who has thick hair can bear several children. She can have many riches and farms. Members of the tribe are not permitted to have loose hair because it is a sign of mess, dirt and mourning. They are allowed to let their hair loose only during death ceremonies.
An individual who has a well-groomed hair is considered healthy and well mannered. Women are encouraged to wear hair braids. It can also help them in attracting a partner. Braids can keep their hair away during fire dances.

Hair Characteristics

The hair composition of each individual varies according to sex, age, color, and origin. The hair protects the head from the heat of the sun, coldness, injuries and others. The healthiness of your hair will greatly depend on the foods that you eat. The length of your hair will depend on the DNA of your body. On the average, a human being’s head is about 120 square inches and for every square inch, there are approximately 1,0000 hairs. Nowadays, there are a lot of products that can help in the overall well-being of your hair.

Types of Hair Braiding

Country plaits are usually worn by women. It consists of hair braids that are laid on the scalp. Each hair section is braided by weaving one over the other. When it’s done, you can have a sleek hair braid. It seems that the hair is cut close to the scalp.
Cornrows are much the same with country plaits. It is laid flat on your scalp and follows the shape of your head. The only difference is the process of braiding. In cornrows, the hair is woven under one another. As a result, it would look like a raised braid. Both cornrows and country plaits can be accomplished in different lengths. Of course, the thinner ones will produce more braids and time-consuming too. Cornrow braids are very ancient. It started way back in 500 B.C. during the Nok civilization of Nigeria. It has a variety of styles including intricate curves, spirals and linear. In order to look tidy, African men and women slaves wore braids. Braids were worn by famous African American personalities such as Benjamin Banneker and Frances Harper. In the 1950s, Black artists called it an “Afro.” It was worn by Odetta, Nina Simone, Abby Lincoln and others. In the 1970s, cornrow braiding was on the rise. Cicely Tyson and Stevie Wonder sported this style. In the 1990s, cornrows can be seen on hip-hop artists such as Ludacris, Lil’ Bow Wow, and others. It became a famous celebrity style and worn by other celebrities such as basketball star Allen Iverson.
In single braids, a small section of hair is braided out up to the very end. It can be done is different lengths. Again, thinner braids will result to more braids, time-consuming, and costly as well.

If you are searching for a new look then we have put together a collection of the different styles of African hair braiding. You gotta love this!