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.
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.
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.
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.
So, where did braids come from? Africa of course, and they have been around for a pretty long time -- 5000 years, originating from the OvaHimba in Namibia, according to Larry Sims, a renowned hairstylist.
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.
While braids were certainly a common hairstyle among Vikings, a lesser-known but equally impressive style was the Viking dreads. This unique and bold hairstyle not only embodied strength and honor but also had significant cultural and religious significance for the Vikings.
Ancient Egyptian braids
Braids were about more than looking good: the ancient Egyptians believed that braiding hair could ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Upper-class men and women would wear elaborate braided styles bedazzled with beads, jewels and gold thread.
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.
Braids have a rich history and deep cultural significance. Originating in Africa, hair braiding has evolved over the centuries to become a practical protective style, a marker of identity and social status, and a powerful form of self-expression.
Africa. Portrait of Emperor Yohannes IV wearing traditional Ethiopian braids. Modern cornrows originated in Africa, where they likely developed in response to the unique textures of African hair, and have held significance for different cultures throughout recorded history.
Hjor and Ljufvina had two sons: the twins Hamund (Håmund) and Geirmund. They, too, had dark skin and were therefore nicknamed Heljarskinn; the “Black-Skinned”. Geirmund the Black-Skinned – the black Viking – never became king at Avaldsnes.
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 ».
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.
Sociocultural Importance: For centuries, hair braiding has been more than a style statement in various cultures worldwide - a marker of social status, age, marital status, religion, and even wealth.
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.
It states in the Bible that apart of Jesus' vows were to allow his hair to grow as it came from his head, no cutting, no trimming, no brushing, no nothing. If you are aware of how dreads work, this would most definitely lead to Jesus having dreadlocks.
Denominations that teach that women should wear head coverings at all times additionally base this doctrine on Saint Paul's dictum that Christians are to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), Saint Paul's teaching that women being unveiled is dishonourable, and as a reflection of the created order.
But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.
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.
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.
Hairstyles. Different hairstyles worn by Aztec people also strictly follow the sumptuary laws. Aztec women wore hair in two braids that projected in the front like horns and this hairstyle was called neaxtlāhualli [neɑʃtɬɑːˈwɑɬːi].
Dreads (or dreadlocks) are a matted, messier hairstyle, whereas locs are a polished and defined hairstyle. Both styles are created by twisting, braiding, or coiling the hair, but the final result is vastly different.
From Nepalese and Indian people to Native American Cree and Mohave tribes! Vikings and celts all woke locks of hair as well as some early Hebrews who lived in the deserts.
IRISH DREADLOCKS
Another set of Europeans who believed to have sported dreadlocks were the Irishmen. Historically Irish men and women wore their hair long and loose, especially women, who saw this as a symbol of their beauty.