What is the oldest culture to braid hair?

Author: Dario Kiehn  |  Last update: Sunday, October 5, 2025

“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.

What culture braided hair first?

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.

What is the oldest history of braids?

Hair braiding has long been thought to have originated in East Africa. The oldest known image of hair braiding was traced back to a burial site called Saqqara located on the Nile river during the first dynasty of Pharaoh Menes.

Did Vikings or Africans have braids first?

Egyptians had braids about 3500 years before the Vikings. Not that I care because it's a hair style, and it's 2025, anyone can do that what want, but people love to divide.

What does the Bible say about braided hair?

1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV Do not let your adorning be external -- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear -- (4) but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Our Hair-itage - A Natural Hair Documentary (PBS Version)

What does braided hair mean spiritually?

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.

What God says about hairstyles?

Leviticus 19:27 in Other Translations

27 "Don't cut the hair on the sides of your head or trim your beard. 27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 27 "Never shave the hair on your foreheads, and never cut the edges of your beard.

What race originated braids?

Sims traces the origins of braids back to African culture. “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.

Where did dreadlocks originate?

The origins of dreadlocks can be traced back to ancient cultures around the world. The earliest written evidence of dreadlocks dates back to between 2500 and 1500 BC: the God Shiva and his followers are described as jaTaa, meaning « wearing knots of tangled hair ».

Did Egyptians start braids?

Egypt. Ancient egyptians have a reputation for invention, including paper, toothpaste, calendars, math, and even condoms. And while they may not have invented braiding – combining three strands of material into one – their hairstyles reflected wealth, age and social group. Young girls wore braids or ponytails.

Did cavemen have braids?

Stereotypical representations of early humans as grimy cavemen may lead you to believe that people of the past were always sporting unruly manes. This archaeology myth, however, has been busted: several artifacts, some as old as 30,000 years, depict people with braided, styled hair.

What is the oldest hairstyle?

The oldest known depiction of hair styling is hair braiding, which dates back about 30,000 years. Women's hair was often elaborately and carefully dressed in special ways, though it was also frequently kept covered outside the home, especially for married women.

Who created cornrows?

Early depictions of women with what appear to be cornrows have been found in Stone Age paintings in the Tassili Plateau of the Sahara, and have been dated as far back as 3000 B.C. A similar style is also seen in depictions of the ancient Cushitic people of the Horn of Africa, who appear to be wearing this style of ...

What is the oldest evidence of braiding hair?

The oldest known reproduction of hair braiding may go back about 30,000 years in Europe: the Venus of Willendorf in Austria, now known in academia as the Woman of Willendorf, is a female figurine estimated to have been made between about 28,000 and 25,000 BCE.

When did Mexicans start braiding their hair?

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.

Did Nordic people have braids?

Whether it was a simple three-strand twist or the more complex "dragon's spine," each braid had its story and specific occasion, much like today's wedding updos or yoga buns. In the Viking age, braids were more than just your go-to hairstyle for windy days—they were the ultimate social network.

Are locs African or Jamaican?

Dreadlocks are not unique to Jamaica and Rastafarians. The dreadlocks hairstyle originated in Africa and was worn by various tribes there.

What does the Bible say about dreadlocks?

The bible talks about dreadlocks too: Numbers 6:5 “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long.

Can dreadlocks be undone?

Well, I'm here to tell you, yes, dreadlocks can be combed out, especially ones that have been properly cared for during their life, including regular shampooing and conditioning. This is very important! If you decide to comb out your 'locks, it's critical that you approach the process with much patience.

What culture had braids first?

Ancient Egypt and African Indigenous Cultures

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.

Did ancient Chinese braid their hair?

The Xianbei and Wuhuan were said to shave their heads, while Xiongnu had queues. Other evidence from Chinese histories indicate that the Tuoba or Tabgach groups of the Xianbei wore braids, since they were called "braided" by the southern Chinese.

Which cultures have braid hair?

During the Bronze Age and Iron Age, many peoples in the Near East, Asia Minor, Caucasus, East Mediterranean and North Africa are depicted in art with braided or plaited hair and beards. Similarly, the practice is recorded in Europe, Africa, India, China, Japan, Australasia and Central Asia.

What does Jesus say about women's hair?

[14] Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? [15] But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

What does the Bible say about tattoos?

Leviticus 19:28 says You shall not make any cuts on your body [in mourning] for the dead, nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves; I am the Lord. In other scriptures, God punished the Israelites for wearing earrings because they were doing it at a feast to the idol, Baal.

What does the Bible say about braided hair kjv?

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

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