HISTORY OF AFRICAN BRAIDS AND ITS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
"Having black hair is unique in that Black Women change up styles a lot. You can work down one block in New York City and see ten different hairstyles that black women are wearing are wearing; straight curls, short cuts, braids - we really run the gamut."
Hairstyles come and go but braids have been in trend since ancient times. The braided hairstyle is an ancient beauty technique associated with the cultures of different countries. Braids had made appearance on the heads of men and women throughout the history. Braiding patterns often indicated person’s social status, ethnicity, age group, wealth, marital status, glamour and religious affiliation back then.
Braids are a part of tribal customs in Africa. The origins of African hair braiding art can be traced back to Egypt as far as 3500 BC. Some interesting facts on African hair braiding are:
In ancient Egypt, braids signified status and wealth as they were practiced on wigs created for royal group.
Braids are regarded as cultural traits of African people and as a fashion statement. Africa is a large continent with innumerable tribes. Each region has its own traditional styles and each tribe with their varied culture and own unique hairstyle pattern. Braids became the form of identification as different tribes would adorn their crowns with unique braiding styles that represented their country of origin.
Certain elaborated hair styles and patterns were reserved for ceremonial occasions such as wedding and other rites. Also community leaders would put on the elaborated hairstyles.
Men from Wolof tribe (modern Senegal and The Gambia) used to wear braided style at the time of war.
The boys of the Massai tribe (south Kenya and Tanzania) who are entering the stage of youth spend hours to have their hair braided with innovative designs.
Cornrow braids are most popular and patterns are handed down through the generation. The braids indicate cultural traditions.
Women in mourning would stop attending to their hair during the period of mourning.
Many Africans believed that hair is a way to communicate with the Divine Being as hair is the most elevated point of your body making it closest to divine being. Many believed single hair strand could be used to cast spells or inflict harms.
Braiding was not just a form of hairstyle. Braiding is traditionally a social art. Because of the time required to braid hair, it offers women to socialize. In many African communities, women would gather around and share stories as they took turn to get their tresses twisted in utmost details. This social art is taught by senior female members to their daughters and close friends. It begins with elders making simple designs and knots on younger children.
Older children watch and learn by practicing on younger children and peers and eventually learn the traditional designs. This allows the bonding between the generations. Braiding also signifies the friendship, confidence and goodwill you share with someone who braid your hair. Significant importance is given to the custom of braiding. This becomes a social service as well as a ritual for the person who performs braids.
Slave trade also inflicted physical, psychological and emotional scars. As most of the slaves were transported from Africa and slave owners considered Africans hair as unkempt. To fit in with the European standard of hair, hair straightening treatment began with them (African slaves). With civil rights movement, the Afro hair style emerged as a symbol of rebellion, pride and empowerment.
Braiding has been a fashion statement for ages. You can sport new look with every different patterns available. There are different hairstyles like dread, cornrow, kinky twist hair braids, bob braids, box hair braids, Senegalese twist, etc. Each hairstyle has its own styling and time required to braids. Accentuate your personality with different hair styles that turns heads and your look.
See you next time guys. Thanks for reading and have a lovely rest of the week.
XOXO
Hairstyles come and go but braids have been in trend since ancient times. The braided hairstyle is an ancient beauty technique associated with the cultures of different countries. Braids had made appearance on the heads of men and women throughout the history. Braiding patterns often indicated person’s social status, ethnicity, age group, wealth, marital status, glamour and religious affiliation back then.
"The hair is the richest ornament of the African woman. " -Martin Luther King
Braids are a part of tribal customs in Africa. The origins of African hair braiding art can be traced back to Egypt as far as 3500 BC. Some interesting facts on African hair braiding are:
In ancient Egypt, braids signified status and wealth as they were practiced on wigs created for royal group.
Braids are regarded as cultural traits of African people and as a fashion statement. Africa is a large continent with innumerable tribes. Each region has its own traditional styles and each tribe with their varied culture and own unique hairstyle pattern. Braids became the form of identification as different tribes would adorn their crowns with unique braiding styles that represented their country of origin.
"My hair or braids don't need to be fixed. Society's narrow minded view of beauty is what is broken. " -NapturallyCurly.com
Certain elaborated hair styles and patterns were reserved for ceremonial occasions such as wedding and other rites. Also community leaders would put on the elaborated hairstyles.
Men from Wolof tribe (modern Senegal and The Gambia) used to wear braided style at the time of war.
The boys of the Massai tribe (south Kenya and Tanzania) who are entering the stage of youth spend hours to have their hair braided with innovative designs.
Cornrow braids are most popular and patterns are handed down through the generation. The braids indicate cultural traditions.
"I'm a big woman. I need big hair. " -Aretha Franklin
Women in mourning would stop attending to their hair during the period of mourning.
Many Africans believed that hair is a way to communicate with the Divine Being as hair is the most elevated point of your body making it closest to divine being. Many believed single hair strand could be used to cast spells or inflict harms.
"Sometimes, you like to let the hair do the talking! " - James Brown
Braiding was not just a form of hairstyle. Braiding is traditionally a social art. Because of the time required to braid hair, it offers women to socialize. In many African communities, women would gather around and share stories as they took turn to get their tresses twisted in utmost details. This social art is taught by senior female members to their daughters and close friends. It begins with elders making simple designs and knots on younger children.
"Don't remove the kinks from your hair, remove them from your brain." - Marcus Garvey
Older children watch and learn by practicing on younger children and peers and eventually learn the traditional designs. This allows the bonding between the generations. Braiding also signifies the friendship, confidence and goodwill you share with someone who braid your hair. Significant importance is given to the custom of braiding. This becomes a social service as well as a ritual for the person who performs braids.
"Trust the universe and respect your hair. " - Bob Marley
Slave trade also inflicted physical, psychological and emotional scars. As most of the slaves were transported from Africa and slave owners considered Africans hair as unkempt. To fit in with the European standard of hair, hair straightening treatment began with them (African slaves). With civil rights movement, the Afro hair style emerged as a symbol of rebellion, pride and empowerment.
"Braids are the African history written on our heads. Crowning her in glorious beauty. " - Samantha Egabe
Braiding has been a fashion statement for ages. You can sport new look with every different patterns available. There are different hairstyles like dread, cornrow, kinky twist hair braids, bob braids, box hair braids, Senegalese twist, etc. Each hairstyle has its own styling and time required to braids. Accentuate your personality with different hair styles that turns heads and your look.
See you next time guys. Thanks for reading and have a lovely rest of the week.
XOXO
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