Braiding has been used to style and ornament human hair for thousands of years, in many different cultures around the world. African Braids have remained a top Choice and an influencer.
New trends every day. It’s impossible to keep up with all the hairstyle fads that have come and gone throughout time. But one thing’s for sure—African braids have been a staple style in the history of hair for what seems like forever. Really, the history of braids dates back to 3500 BC.
In other words, they go way, way back. It’s safe to say the style has maintained a historical legacy that’s here to stay. From classic cornrows and simple three-strand braids to crotchet braids, box braids and more, this symbolic style has been a sign of societal status, ethnicity, religion, and more.
What Are Braids?
A braid is a complex structure or pattern formed by interlacing two or more strands of flexible material such as textile yarns, wire, or hair.
The materials used have depended on the indigenous plants and animals available in the local area.
African Braids have been made for thousands of years, in many different cultures around the world, for a variety of uses.
The most simple and common version is a flat, solid, three-stranded structure. More complex patterns can be constructed from an arbitrary number of strands to create a wider range of structures (such as a fishtail braid, a five-stranded braid, rope braid, a French braid and a waterfall braid).
The different types of African braids and hairstyles common with blacks are;
CORNROWS
Cornrows are a style of hair braiding, in which the Afro hair is braided very close to the scalp, using an underhand, upward motion to make a continuous, raised row. This type of African Braids are often done in simple, straight lines, as the term implies, but they can also be styled in elaborate geometric or curvilinear designs.
Trying to grow your hair long or just want to keep it healthy? A protective natural hairstyle is a great way to do this! Cornrows specifically are a very good option when wanting to protect your hair.
BOX BRAIDS
Box braids are a type of hair-braiding style that is predominantly popular amongst the African diaspora. This type of hairstyle is best described as “protective style and is “boxy”, consisting of square-shaped hair divisions. Box braids are generally done by using synthetic hair to help add thickness as well as helping the real hair in the braid also, because they are not attached to the scalp like other similar styles such as cornrows, box braids can be styled in a number of different ways.
The installation process of box braids can be lengthy, but once installed they can last for 6–8 weeks. They are known for being easy to maintain.
CROTCHET AFRICAN BRAIDS
Crotchet braids also known as latch hook braids, are techniques for braiding hair that involve crocheting synthetic hair extensions to a person’s natural hair with a latch hook or crochet hook.
While crochet braids are a hybrid of traditional braids, they’re considered to be more similar to weaves.
This method is associated with African hair styles. Known as a protective style, the technique can assist with hair growth if cared for properly.
Crochet braids can be worn straight, curly, twisted, or braided.
KINKY
Afro-textured hair, or kinky hair is the natural hair texture of certain populations in Africa and the African diaspora. Despite its name, this hair texture is also found in some parts of Oceania and Southeast Asia.
Each strand of this hair type grows in a tiny, angle-like helix shape. The overall effect is such that, compared to straight, wavy or curly hair, afro-textured hair appears denser.
HALF TOP KNOT
This half top knot is a great way to style your hair if you want to keep hair from falling in your face, but don’t want to put all of your hair in a ponytail or bun.
This hair is very contemporary, convenient and classy. If you experience hair irritation once it falls on your face, this is the best style to go for.
BANTU KNOTS
This hairstyle is a type of protective style. It is done in small coughs and neatly wrapped or tucked in. This hairstyle is typical African and it was the hairstyle in vogue in the 60s but it has been greatly modernised.
