More than just a hairstyle.

Braids in different cultures worldwide have historic meanings behind them. They have remained important, being a sign of ethnicity, social status, and wealth.

In Africa, braids can be traced back 5000 years. They were mostly worn by the women and were a unique way of identifying someone’s tribe. The different styles of braids could indicate marital status, tribe, age, religion and more. You were able to know an individual's family name from their braids alone. It was also seen as a social art due to the time it takes to braid hair, mostly elders bonding with children, or with each other. The tradition of braiding hair is engraved in our culture and became popular around the world.

When the slave trade started, many women had their hair shaved, to eradicate their identity and culture, because it held so much significance. It also dehumanised women and was an attempt to minimise their beauty. Enslaved women would also braid escape routes into their hair, sometimes showing how far they needed to travel or how many roads away they needed to walk to. They were a form of communication and a secret from slave owners. Due to the thickness of their hair, women could also braid rice, seeds and gold into their hair before travelling anywhere, or into their children’s hair, in case they were separated from them.

In the late 18th century, women were banned from wearing their hair publicly and had to cover up. It was believed that it was banned to prevent gaining any attraction from the men. It was also done to stop the influence of the black population and keep order, socially.

African hair is a political statement and symbol of black pride, so to refer to it as ‘ just a hairstyle’ can be insulting.

Braids are also used in the black community to protect Afro hair. These protective styles keep the ends of hair tucked away and reduce pulling and hair manipulation. They encourage growth and allow the hair to rest, causing less breaking and tension.

Braids can also be traced back to parts of Asia. Hair was a major indication of feminine beauty. The longer and thicker a woman’s hair, the more desirable a woman was seen- it meant the woman was noble and righteous. If a woman was bad, her mother would usually punisher her but cutting her hair, to bring her shame, and make her less desirable to men. Traditionally, in Armenian culture, the number of braids in a woman’s hair could also be an indication of her marital status and/or wealth. In Indian culture, braiding is also common. Young girls usually had a single long braid. Married women would usually have a bun or a braided bun. For centuries, Middle Eastern women have also braided their hair to keep it healthy and out of their faces.

Throughout life, hair is respected as an intimate extension of the self in Native American cultures. Hair braiding is popular amongst women and men. Traditionally, long braids, mostly one or two, are commonly worn amongst native women. Wearing traditional styles are sometimes defiance against a history of forced assimilation, similar to people growing out their Afros. Many native ancestors were forced to cut their hair, and native people are still discriminated against for their cultural hairstyles today.

Traders from Greece introduced braids into Europe, after trading with Egypt. Hair was transported from North Africa to Greece, and it was sent to other parts of the continent as well. New forms of braiding, such as French and Dutch braids, became popular. Braids may have also worn in Viking culture, but they weren’t the most common style, and evidence for a history of braids are rare.