Historically, various tribes braided their hair to signify their background, geographic origin, social status, age, marital status, and a host of other things.
In African culture, braids were used amongst tribes for identification. Certain patterns identified social status, marital status, wealth, kinship, and religion. This was popular amongst African tribes in Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea.
They are a powerful symbol of African American history, culture, and resilience. From intricate designs passed down through generations to modern creative expressions, braids reflect a timeless beauty and an enduring spirit.
In many African cultures, braids signify age, social status, and marital status. In China, the number of braids a woman wore was often an indicator of her wealth and status. And in Native American cultures, braids were often worn as a sign of strength and courage.
In many African tribes, braided hairstyles were a unique way to identify each tribe. Braid patterns and hairstyles were an indication of a person's tribe, age, marital status, wealth, power, and religion." Pace continues: "Braiding was, and is, a social art.
The kumihimo has always been highly appreciated, it symbolizes connection and respect, as well as “usefulness” and “beauty”. The deep traditional beauty of Japan is visible in the braid of “Ryukobo” and conveys this imaginary.
Throughout history, braiding has been used for several reasons—from defining tribes, social status, and other societal classifications to mapping escape routes for slaves. This tradition of carefully intertwining tresses has been passed down through generations and become an integral part of Black and African cultures.
African-American, Afro-Latino and Caribbean folklore also relates multiple stories of cornrows being used to communicate or provide maps for slaves across the "New World". Today, such styles retain their link with Black self-expression and creativity, and may also serve as a form of political expression.
Hair braiding has roots in ancient Africa. Many experts believe cornrows are the oldest braiding style. In the 1950s, a French ethnologist and his team discovered a rock painting of a woman with cornrows in the Sahara desert.
Braids were not only a fashion statement, but also had social and symbolic meanings. In the Viking Age, braids were seen as a sign of strength, courage and honor. Both men and women wore braids, and the way they braided their hair could say a lot about their social status and role in society.
It embodied the idea of harmony between individuals, tribes, and the natural world. Native American societies, particularly in the Plateau region, placed a high premium on collective well-being, cooperation, and unity, and this hairstyle was a reflection of those principles.
French braids are more than just a hairstyle—they're a timeless symbol of elegance, versatility, and creativity.
In ancient China, young women wore their hair down or in simple styles to show they were unmarried. Maidens traditionally kept their hair in braids until their 15th birthday, when they went through a coming-of-age ceremony call the jīlǐ (笄禮| also translates as “congratulations”) or Hair Pinning Ceremony.
Many African groups braided hair to identify with their tribe. Braids indicated wealth, marital status, power, and religion. Slaves used braids to communicate escape routes. White slaveholders forced slaves to shave their head and keep a “tidy” appearance.
Hair braiding helps protect your hair's natural moisture by locking in your strands so that they are not exposed to the elements. If you are traveling, or are usually in the habit of styling your hair daily, braids are a great way to protect your hair.
Braids as culture, revolution, and beauty
This headdress represents indigenous identity, feminine beauty, and, in some cases, marital status. In communities such as the Mazatec, which inhabit northern Oaxaca, southern Veracruz, and Puebla, braids express love and personal status.
A Short History Of Braiding & Afro Hair
Evidence suggests that Afro hair braiding started with the Himba people in what is now modern-day Namibia. It's believed that across the African continent, braiding patterns were used to identify tribe, age, wealth, marital status and religion.
Plait is made by hand, interlacing straws to form a long length of even width. A former may be used during the plaiting to create a space or loop in the pattern. Braid is made on various types of machine, or by using tools. The images in this section have been divided into plaits and braids.
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.
Braid patterns or hairstyles can indicate a person's community, age, marital status, wealth, power, social position, and religion.
Cornrows played a significant role in helping enslaved individuals escape slavery. During the era of slavery hair braiding was used as a way to convey messages. For example, women would braid a style called departes to signal their intent to escape.
The practice of wearing braids and dreadlocks in Africa dates back to 3,000 BC in the Sahara Desert. It has been commonly thought that other cultures influenced the dreadlock tradition in Africa. The Kikuyu and Somali wear braided and locked hairstyles.
Braided hair was the stand hair style, but the problem in the Ephesian church was that the wealthy women were setting themselves apart with all the gold and pearls they would put into their braided hair, and they were also wearing extravagantly expensive clothing.
Vikings did not invent braiding. There are depictions of braided hair from as early as 30,000 BC/BCE including the famous Venus of Willendorf. There are figures with cornrows in Tassili n'Ajjer cave paintings in North Africa that date from 6000 BC/BCE.