Fulani braids are a sort of bundle braiding hairstyle that developed in West Africa’s Fulani culture. These braids, also known as tribal braids, are constructed with extensions and run the length of your hair. The hairstyle is quite popular among African women, and it has been seen in a number of Hollywood celebrities, including Beyonce and Alicia Keys.
The braids may be fashioned in a variety of ways once they’ve been produced. The beads and clips weaved throughout the hair give it an added appearance and edge.
Fulani Styles in History
So, have you ever wondered where this hairstyle came from? For starters, it’s linked to an African ethnic group known as the Fula, who dwell over most of the continent’s western and eastern regions. Fulani braids are often fashioned with distinctive patterns of ultra-slim tightly plaited braids that are close to the head and taper into tresses of various lengths. They’re also known as “Bo braids” or just “braids with beads.”
In the 1960s and 1970s, award-winning actress Cicely Tyson was one of the first Black women to wear Fulani braids on the red carpet and even on the cover of JET Magazine. After wearing them on the cover of her debut album, Songs in A Minor, Alicia Keys popularized the look.
If you want to wear a genuine Fulani hairstyle, here are 12 of our favorite braided designs to explore. But first, how to make Fulani Braids at home?
To Make Fulani Braids, You’ll Need;
- 2 packets ok Kane Kalon hair extensions
- Hair clips, beads, accessories
- A rat-tail comb
- Rubber bands
Step-By-Step Procedure To Make Fulani Braids
To hydrate your scalp and smooth out your hair, part your hair as desired and use dry shampoo and hair cream.
- Divide a single pencil-thick segment of hair from one side of the parting into three further subsections.
- Begin braiding a three-section simple braid with this.
- Remove your Kanekalon hair and divide it into tiny portions, laying them out on a flat surface separately.
- Take a segment of the Kanekalon hair extension and fold it in half after the first knot. Hold it by the bend and braid it into the hair portion you’re braiding.
- Continue braiding with the added extension, then add another thin section of hair extension after another knot.
- Repeat this procedure thrice or four times depending on the desired thickness of the braid that you like and then continue to braid till the end and then secure it with a rubber band.
- Now, dip the ends of your hair in boiling water to secure the ends safely, and then pat-dry with a towel.
- Repeat the above steps with the remaining hair. You can add beads to the hair extensions as and when you like, or you can attach clips to them after the braid is done.
- Your Fulani braids are done and dusted. Though the process is long, the results are worthwhile. Now you can style them up and down as you like.
12 inspiring Fulani Braids styles on celebrities
We thought we’d round up a dozen of our favorites, ranging from simple styles to elaborate updos because there are so many to choose from.
1. Wrap-Around Fulani Braids
Rihanna’s Fulani braids appear to wrap around her head in an exquisite and edgy way. As she illustrates, it’s crucial to pay attention to your baby’s hair while creating a style like this. Fulani braids can be worn short or long depending on your preference. Rihanna’s braids curl elegantly around her head in this photo, adding a gorgeous element to her dazzling ensemble. Just remember that any style, especially a protective one like this, requires you to keep your hair healthy.
2. Updated Traditional Style
You may need to add extensions to bring this look to life, depending on the length of your hair. Once you’ve finished braiding and putting your hair up, add beads and gems to personalize it.
3. Playful Fulani Hoops
We’re huge fans of having fun with your hair, and these playful Fulani hooped braids on Yara Shahidi are just what we mean.
4. Classic Fulani Braids
We’re big lovers of having fun with your hair, and Yara Shahidi’s whimsical Fulani hooped braids are proof of that.
5. Braids With Beads
Fulani braids are also known by this name. Most people refer to them as “braids with beads” without understanding their true name or origin. Fulani braids are one of the most fashionable braid styles ever. The best part is that they tell an African heritage story.
6. Top Knot
One of the most popular hairstyles of all time is the top knot. To really stand out, pair it with Fulani braids. All eyes will be on you, I’m sure. The best part is that it is quite simple to style and is ideal for work.
7. Long Fulani Braids
You may weave your Fulani braids with extensions to rapidly boost the length of your hair. You may have as much fun as you want with these braids by adding bright colored extensions and accessorizing them with unique beads.
8. Fulani Braids With Wooden Beads
Add some wooden beads to the ends of your braids, like Alicia Keys did (some could argue she re-popularized the style when she originally came on the scene). It’s ideal if you want to add some personality to your outfit.
9. Crown Braid
When put up in a crown updo, Fulani braids look gorgeous. The middle cornrow gives this design a crown-like appearance. Add some beads and hair rings to finish it off, and you’ve got yourself a show-stopper!
10. Modern Tribal Fulani
This lovely braided updo is a little different from the traditional Fulani updo. The two braids nearest to the center cornrow have been left dangling, rather than the top braids being aligned to the scalp. It’s an excellent method to dress up your Fulani braids.
11. Back-Length Braids with Cowrie shells
Javana Mundy is the queen of protective style, and her back-length Fulani braids are one of her signatures looks that we should all try.
12. Micro-Fulani Braids
Fulani braids can be as small or as large as you like, just like any other braided look, but be prepared for a lengthy salon visit. Though not tiny, they are little and can cause strain in the scalp, so use an aloe or castor oil-based lotion to care for your edges and scalp after your session.
FAQs on Fulani Braids
How long does it take to make Fulani braids?
If you are making the braids on your hair, it may take up to 6 hours to make the braids perfectly on your hair since you might need to redo some braids. The process requires patience and perfection though it is not very difficult to understand. If you are getting them done from a professional or at a salon, it may take only 2-3 hours, depending on the thickness of your hair.
How long can you keep Fulani braids?
A bunch of well-maintained Fulani braids can be kept for up to 8 weeks. It is important to maintain the braids by regularly wetting them and then pat drying with a towel. One must also use hair cream to keep the scalp and original hair soft to prevent any sort of damage to the quality of the hair.
How do I sleep in Fulani braids?
To sleep in Fulani braids while simultaneously preventing damage to your hair or hair loss, it is best to wrap it up in a silk or satin cloth so that there is no loss of moisture in the hair. At the same time, you must regularly use hair moisturizer to keep your scalp moisturized and prevent hair loss.
Choosing the best Fulani hairstyle for your face shape
The tribal Fulani braids have many varieties to choose from, like the jumbo Fulani braids, box braids, braided swoop, and many others in-line.
Straight–back Fulani Braids – This is an elegant yet classy look. In addition to the cornrows that are made at the back of the head, putting on the colorful beads at the end of the tribal braids will add color and a different look to your braided hairdo. No doubt it is a very famous straight-back hairstyle of 2021.
Goddess Braids – These are known as the thinner cornrows that volumize the hair. It is a good option in the summers. These last for two weeks and are a perfect hairstyle. Goddess braids are preferable for long hair but can suit bob-cut hair as well. For that, you can try bob goddess braids.
Knotless braids– These braids are pain-free and give less worry to the scalp area. It lasts for around 4-6 weeks, so yes, it is also a good braiding style to try. It is a variation of box braids. It also helps hair growth and is known as a protective hairstyle. There are also small knotless braids and big knotless braids hairstyles available.
Check and inform if braids are too tight
The African ladies have a habit of too tight braided hair, but if you are trying it for the first time, then it might be painful for you. The tribal braids must feel comfortable when they’re done. So do not hesitate to inform your hairstylist that you are facing any trouble. After all, it’s a matter of weeks.
Take proper care of your Fulani braids
Regularly you will have to take care of your stylish tribal braids as we care for a newborn. As advised by your hairstylist, take all the measures to keep your braid last for a longer time.
Footnotes
Finally, now you are all set to go and meet your hairstylist. Also, remember to take along a picture of the braids you wish to have. You can also try pop smoke braids and blonde braids to give a more modern look.
But if you are scared to go and spend on Fulani braids and are not sure whether it will suit you or not. Then you can learn how to make Fulani braids with the help of online video resources. So here, let me mention some links to help you in trying tribal Fulani braids at home.