Bix braids
Box braids originate in South Africa and can be traced back to 3500 B.C. This look was created by braiding closely to the scalp, and the goddess braids are thick, often raised, and extremely defined. The hairstyle was seen as a work of art, creativity, and precision among tribes and was often adorned with metal accents. Goddess braids date back to Ancient Africa and have a comparable history and appearance to cornrows. The hair is then decorated with beads, shells, wooden or metal accents, or even a family’s silver coins and amber for heritage purposes. There will also be a coiffure in the middle of the head. Known for its length and unique patterns, this style features braids that hang or loop on the sides of the head. The large, nomadic community passed on the traditional hairstyle through generations of women. Fulani or feed-in braids originate from the Fulani (Fula) people in West Africa and the Sahel region. This style typically is not adorned with decorations, but there are different ways of wearing these braids- high ponytails or wrapped buns, for example. Ghana braids are kept close to the scalp, similar to cornrows, but the Ghanaian design starts small, then moves into a larger pattern until tapering off at the ends. Since then, the style has played a large role in Ghanaian cultural, social, and religious traditions. Ghana braids originated in Africa and were first seen in hieroglyphics and sculptures made in 500 B.C. The tight, neat style is kept close to the scalp and can be worn alone or with shells, glass, coral, flowers, and/or twigs enlaced throughout. In these locations, the braids can signify a person’s age, marital status, wealth, kinship, religion, or personality.
Today, the style is seen worldwide and holds significance in West Africa, Sudan, and throughout the horn of Africa. Warriors and kings also used cornrows to show their status in society. The patterns typically indicated which tribe a person belonged to and their stature within that tribe. In honor of Black History Month, we are celebrating this art form by sharing our favorite braiding styles and their origins. Over the last 5,000 years, the appearance of the braids has slightly changed, but the techniques depicted through ancient drawings and artifacts have stayed the same. Today, braids are used to celebrate and honor one’s ancestral roots as well as express personality and style. This tradition of carefully intertwining tresses has been passed down through generations and become an integral part of Black and African cultures. Throughout history, braiding has been used for several reasons-from defining tribes, social status, and other societal classifications to mapping escape routes for slaves.