The ever-evolving world of beauty births new trends every day. It’s impossible to keep up with all the hairstyle fads that have come and gone throughout time. But one thing’s for sure—braids have been a staple style in the history of hair for what seems like forever. No, but really: The history of braids dates back to 3500 BC. In other words, they go way, way back. It’s safe to say the style has maintained a historical legacy that’s here to stay. From classic cornrows and simple three-strand braids to Dutch braids and more, this symbolic style has been a sign of societal status, ethnicity, religion, and more.
With the Instagram era, YouTube tutorials, runways, and popular music festivals, braids have evolved. We tapped three top hairstylists to take us through the backstory of braids.
Meet the Expert
Larry Sims is a celebrity hairstylist and the brand ambassador for the international hair care company Schwarzkopf, whose clients include Gabrielle Union, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Lupita Nyong’o.
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. “These people have been braiding their hair for centuries. 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. Braiding was and is a social art.Because of the amount of time it can take, people often would take the time to socialize. It began with the elders braiding their children, then the children would watch and learn from them. Younger children would start practicing on each other and eventually learn the traditional styles. This tradition of bonding was carried on for generations and quickly made its way across the world. It was around the 1900s when braids became most popular around the world. Almost all women, children, and most men in some way had their hair braided.”
In relation to time periods, Pace credits Africa with cornrows in 3500 BC; Egypt with afro box braids in 3100 BC; Greece with the halo braid in the first century; Native Americans with pigtail braids in the fifth century; Europe with the crown braid from 1066 to 1485; China with the staircase braid from 1644 to 1912; the Caribbean with modern cornrows in the 1970s; and the Internet (of course) with braid tutorials becoming especially popular in 2005 when YouTube launched.
According to Sims, cornrows with beads were very popular in the 1970s, and box braids gained popularity in the 1990s. “In my opinion,braids will never be out of the picture. They’re always going to be fashionable because they’re practical and chic,” says Saviano.
Click Play to Learn How to Braid Cornrows with Nigella Miller
The Evolution of Braids
“Expressions and styles have changed, but braiding patterns have remained the same,” says Sims. “In today’s culture, braids are adorned, worn, and praised in many different ways. Men and women who wouldn’t have worn them previously now embrace them. Women are approaching the braiding style in different ways. From clean lines to braids that are organic and messy. Women are taking on a fresh approach to coolness."
Saviano echoes the same statement regarding today’s braided styles. “In today’s society, we see messier and freer styles of braidsthat don’t have to be tight or perfect. People accept braids to look less perfect, chic, and more relaxed,” says Saviano.
“Box braids transformed in the modern world’s sense of community,” Sims continues. “Braiding studios located in African American communities such as Harlem are the perfect example. Getting your hair braided in this salon environment builds unity and embraces a historical culture."
The Cultural Context of Braids
"Braids are not just a style; this craft is a form of art," says Pace. “Women and men of all ages are getting their hair braided on a day-to-day basis. Whether it be a day you just want your hair out of your face or a special event filled with elegance, the art of hair braiding has evolved beyond the original cultural ideas.”
“Amongst African Americans, braids are go-to styles for women with natural textures,” explains Sims. "This style is used for kinkier textures as a form of protective styling—not just for fashion. Wearing braids protect natural hair from heat damage and humidity.”
Fast forward from 3500 BCE to 3100 BCE, when the ancient Egyptians ruled. They were known for their fancy, intricate braids, which were an important part of cultural identity. Braids were about more than looking good: the ancient Egyptians believed that braiding hair could ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
The oldest evidence for the existence of braids is the Venus of Willendorf. Discovered in early 20th century Austria, the 11cm tall Palaeolithic female figurine is around 25,000 to 30,000 years old. It is speculated that she represents a fertility goddess. What is clear is that her head is covered with rows of plaits.
Historically, various tribes braided their hair to signify their background, geographic origin, social status, age, marital status, and a host of other things.
The Vikings did not invent braids. Viking hair braiding can be traced back to the Viking Age (793 AD-1066 AD), whereas the origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BC with the Himba people of Namibia.
In ancient Africa, braids were essentially an ID card: you could look at someone's hair and determine what family they belonged to, their marital status, or their age. During slavery, African-Americans could only do their hair about once a week — and braids played a more functional role.
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.
Enslaved women would braid each other's hair, incorporating intricate patterns and designs, which not only celebrated their heritage but also served as a way to communicate messages and escape routes for those seeking freedom. In the post-slavery era, hair braiding continued to play a vital role in Black communities.
Historically, box braids have roots in African culture and hold significant meaning relating to heritage and identity. They continue to be a powerful expression of personal and cultural style.
👉🏾When the Transatlantic Slave Trade started, captured Africans braided seeds and grains into their hair to bring their foods with them as a way of survival. Rice, okra, peanuts, benne, watermelon are some examples of seeds and grains that were hidden and brought from their native homeland.
Tharps explain that braids and other intricate hairstyles were historically worn to signify marital status, age, religion, wealth and rank in society. From kings' ornate beaded braids to special headdresses worn by new mothers, these styles had deep cultural and historical roots.
One striking aspect of their hairstyle was the practice of wearing their hair with a middle part, usually divided into two braids. This distinctive hairstyle symbolized profound cultural values of balance and equality.
“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.
Depictions of women with corn rows have been found in Stone Age paintings in the Tassili Plateu of the Sahara, dating back to at least 3000 BC. In ancient Egypt men and women wore cornrows or simple braids, often adorned with gold thread and other delicacies.
Enslaved Black people may have worn cornrows as one way to keep their hair neat and flat to their scalp while working; the other styles they developed alongside these may have blended African, European and Native American trends and traditions.
You have to look back to prehistoric times to find the first examples of braided rope. Studies have shown that early examples of rope were made from twisted vines and grasses that were knotted together and it's likely that every rope was made by hand.
The name may refer to the corn fields or sugar cane fields of the Americas and Caribbean. According to black folklore, cornrows were often used to communicate on the Underground Railroad and by Benkos Biohó during his time as a slave in Colombia. They often serve as a form of black self-expression.
Cornrows helped enslaved Africans put up small acts of rebellion and resistance by not only allowing them to keep their heritage close, but also providing a discreet way to transfer information. Cornrows soon became used as a way for slaves to secretly communicate with one another.
One unique feature about the French braid is that an individual can braid their own hair without the help of others. (The difficulty of braiding can depend on the type of hair the individual has, however, as some styles of hair are easier to braid than others.)
Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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