The world of beauty trends is constantly changing, and sometimes it seems impossible to keep up with all the hairstyle fads that have come and gone throughout the years. However, braids have been a staple style for almost forever.
Unlike many other hairstyles such as finger waves or the Jerry curl, braids are much more than mere aesthetic. They hold with them cultural and ancestral roots and are an integral part of black culture. So where did they come from?
Celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims explained that “The origin of braids can be traced back 5000 years in African culture to 3500 BC—they were very popular among women.” Ancient wall writings and scriptures have shown that these braids started with the Himba people of Namibia (OmuHimba=singular and OvaHimba=plural) who were known for their extremely unique braiding styles. In their earliest form, braids had a sort of duality in purpose as they were used as an indicator of a person’s wealth, marital status, and religion but also were fashionable.
The Himba often covered themselves and their hair in a paste consisting of butterfat and ochre pigment which was known as Otjizumba. The paste was used in their hair as well as a moisturizer and a sunscreen. The orangey-red color of the paste symbolized the earth’s red, rich color as well as blood which is the essence of life.
As stated, each style of braiding had its own cultural meaning. Infants and babies usually had a small patch of hair on the top of their heads, and as they became older, boys often had a cornrow style braid directed to the back of their head.
And young girls often had 2 braids towards the front. As for twins, mothers would give each twin one braid towards the front, which was also used for twin boys as well. Once an OvaHimba girl reached puberty, they would have multiple braids towards the front of their heads as a way to cover the face and avoid male attention.
Then, once the women are ready to be married, that is when they will style their hair in a way that will reveal the face.
Moreover, women who were married were given goat skin statues that would sit on top of their heads, and were also allowed to add wooden beads and other jewellery in their braids. Unmarried men will continue to wear the braids towards the back, and married men were made to wear turbans.
Braiding was and is a social art as well. Due to the amount of time it would take to braid the hair, this time was often used as a time for socializing and bonding. Elders, who would often braid the hair of young children in the village would share wisdom and stories of their lives during this time.
Even with being one of the oldest North African tribes, these traditions are still very much alive today. Moreover, the village is known for their denouncement of modernity as the people haven't changed much over the generations. Just like the traditions of hair braiding remains strong in the village, we feel the impact of the OvaHimba today.
Works cited
YouTube, 3 Sept. 2019, youtu.be/IGU8k8435iE.
Allen, Maya. Byrdie. Accessed December 29, 2020. https://www.byrdie.com/history-of-braids#:~:text=“The origin of braids can,Alysa Pace of Bomane Salon.&text=Braiding was and is a social art.
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