Tribal braids have existed for as long as African cultures have existed. Braids are far from being a thing of the past these days. This is unsurprising, given the increasing number of black celebrities that embrace the black culture inheritance. Africans have always utilized braided hairstyles to communicate. An African woman’s braiding style revealed her rank, age, connections, and more. Hair braiding styles have become a symbol of legacy or roots in our modern society, as well as a fashion statement. These braiding styles are updated on a regular basis to fit your lifestyle and other preferences.
You’re probably considering braids as a solution to get your hair out of the way and make it easier to maintain when you’ve had it up to here with your hair. Tribal braided styles, on the other hand, are so much more. Tribal braids are still worn by women of African heritage today, and they are steeped in history and anchored in a blend of potent symbolism and practicality.
While tribal braids make it simpler to maintain and manage your hair on a daily basis, it’s more than that when you wear them in the modern world. By wearing the same weaved hairstyles as your forefathers, you’re tying yourself to centuries of tradition. Wearing tribal braids in today’s society means proudly displaying the rich tapestry of your ethnic background. You’ve also come to the correct place if you’re seeking for new techniques to weave and pattern your braids.
We’ve put together a list of tribal braids that you may wear every day, for special events, or simply for a night of fun. There are styles that wrap your entire head, fashions that incorporate a few little braids into other designs, and styles that necessitate the use of extensions. After looking over the many braided styles we discovered, you’ll want to consider a few factors before deciding on your next style. In the last portion of this picture guide, we’ll go over those. Let’s take a closer look at what tribal braids are and the 15 tribal braid designs you might want to attempt next!
So, if you have been thinking of changing your hairstyle, this article is for you.
1. Fulani Braids
Fulani braids, one of the most prominent tribal braiding forms, originate with the Fula people of West Africa. A center braid or twist at the top of the head, typically embellished with rings and beads, is the style’s distinctive feature. It’s finished off with thin to medium side braids that can be kept free or plaited into an updo. Fulani braids are extremely versatile and vivid, which is why they are so popular today.
2. Half Knot Indigo
Indigo is a beautiful tint that falls somewhere between blue and violet, and it lends a mystical touch to your hairdo when you use it. Modern stylish tribal braids with half knot indigo hairstyles are a captivating and brilliant hue. Simply collect the top section tribal braids towards the rear and form a high knot bun that works as a crown to the diva appearance after producing the tribal braids with the indigo highlighted hair. The half knot Indigo hairstyle is ideal for black girls and women with a confident demeanor and a taste for the unusual.
3. Bohemian Tribal Braids
All you have to do with tribal braids is pick a design since they can be done in a variety of ways. Bohemian braids combine braided strands with flowing hair for the free-spirited woman. All of your hair is plaited or twisted in different braiding methods. Half-braided hair with bohemian tribal braids, on the other hand, gives you a wild and feminine style.
4. Long Tribal Braids: Swirl Pattern
Long braids are popular right now, and they’re a great way to add length and flair to your hair. The top swirl design is zesty and funky, perfect if you want something different in your braid style. Adding a touch of crimson to the ends adds just the perfect amount of flare to the overall design.
5. Round Over Braids
Tribal braids were created by combining several braid types, and by using traditional traditions, you may be as creative as you want with your tribal braids. For black ladies with long hair, a round-over braid is a terrific option. Create a thin braid on both sides as a front flick to make round-over braids. Then, starting at the nape of the neck, make a thick braid that wraps around to the opposite side. Similarly, for the rest of the hair, add another thin braid followed by a thick braid. Hairpins may be used to secure the braids once they’ve been rounded over for a fashionable look.
6. Jagged Braids with Pearl
Another lovely Fulani-style tribal braid hairstyle for black girls and adolescents that want long hair with natural black color. A center portion divides the long jet-black hair into two pieces. The strands from each part are taken close to the scalp from the top and braided in a jagged pattern, each braid contrasting the previous one. To create the old Fulani tribal hairstyle, two braids are preserved for the front flicks on both sides, and a little pearl bead is fashioned in the center of the forehead.
7. Dual Crochet Braids
Crochet braids are a simple braiding extension that requires little effort and allows you to get a gorgeous look with the use of multicolored crochet extensions. You may acquire tribal braids in a beautiful brown and black tone with dual crochet braids. To give the hairdo a natural look, maintain the brown crochet for the front braids and make the rest of the hair black. To give the dual crochet braids a modish look and a wonderful trendy appeal for the party, design a random braid with a yellowish coil.
8. Braids with Beads and Cuffs
A charming and clever hairstyle for thick black hair that contains a large number of thin tribal braids, or you may use a tribal braid wig. The thick black hair is dressed with cuffs and beads, and the top center strands are elegantly constructed into a braid, as are both sides medium long braids. You may add brown beads at the ends of the braids to contrast with white and black beads. To make the main braid and the side braided sections seem more stunning, use silver or golden cuffs. Accessories and tribal braids are inextricably linked. Shell beads of various sizes, colors, and textures are used to embellish medium-length braids.
Furthermore, this hairstyle gives you a lot of possibilities. Braids come in a variety of styles, textures, and colors, and the more the merrier.
9. Tribal Box Braids
Box braids may be taken out of their usual domain and turned into something simple and straightforward using cuffs. They can also be placed as full tribal braids with a Fulani-inspired mix. The way box braids are sectioned into squares before braiding gives them their name. Some braids can have cords braided around the length of them. Elegant and simple. This design is simple to put together and wear. It also looks well on everyone. It may be done in whatever manner you like, including short, long, or bob braids with cords, cuffs, and beads.
10. Medium Box Braids
A basic yet creative haircut with medium-length box braids and short hair that tapers into a grey weave extension. It’s ideal for girls with short afro hair who want a makeover without sacrificing their natural hair. Any stylish highlight may be purchased as an extension. Begin by splitting the hair in the center and dividing it into equal parts on both sides. Create medium box braids by braiding strands from each part and adding the grey weave.
11. V-shaped Tribal Braids
V-shaped tribal braids are simple to do and look great on long hair. V-shaped tribal braids are made by splitting the hair in the middle and braiding thin to medium-length strands slightly back to the side. When viewed from the front, the V-look is created by repeating the operation on both sides. Brown and white beads are used to style the front two braids on both sides. To get a dazzling look, style all of the tiny braids to one side.
12. Jumbo Tribal Braids
A giant three-strand braid done in a crown for your thick volume hair would be a terrific alternative if you’re seeking a hairstyle you can wear to a hangout or a party. To achieve the tribal effect with the giant braid, let the front section hair alone before braiding the crown. Make duet box braids on both sides and use Fulani beads in a brown or dark shade of circular beads to style them. The braid adds a little ring to the center forehead and a few cuffs to the gigantic crown braid to complete the look.
13. Ghana Braids
Ghana braids are the women’s traditional hairstyle of Ghana, a West African country. Different braiding patterns are used to reproduce these braids. Ghana braiding is created by weaving microscopic micro braids into fuller, thicker plaits or twists. This braiding style’s trademark feature is the unusual tapering effect.
14. Half Twist Tribal Braids
The half twist elegantly frames the face and gives the haircut a pleasant look. Thin braids for long black hair formed by side splitting are included in the twist tribal braids. Gather several parts of braids from each side and twist them against each other on the backside once you’ve finished the thin braids. Half twist tribal braids are a stylish hairstyle favored by young African American females that provides an appealing appeal to the personality and is readily controllable.
15. Medium Braids with Glass Beads
Medium braids with glass beads are a great alternative for black ladies with medium-length hair who want to try out the appealing tribal braided hairdo. After the hair is partitioned in the middle, medium braids are created for the mid-length black hair. The blue glass beads in the braids add a beautiful touch to the look. Medium-length braids with crystal beads are a great way to get a high-fashion look while yet retaining an element of African culture. For an event appearance or a casual hangout, you can wear tribal braids with glass beads.
Things to Consider Before Committing to Tribal Braids
Choosing the best tribal braided style for you might be difficult. It’s simpler if you know what to expect and what to think about before committing to a new style of braid. Here are some things to consider before scheduling your braid session.
Time and Availability
The more complicated the braided style, the longer it will take to finish. And if you’ve ever received braids, you know the procedure can take hours and take up the majority of your day. So, if you want complicated braids, be sure you’re prepared to commit to a few hours of sitting in the stylist’s chair – and make sure your stylist will be available to have your braids done when you want them.
Discomfort
If you have a sensitive scalp, getting tightly-woven braids can be rather painful. If this is your first time receiving braids or if you normally suffer from the agony of having your hair yanked on repeatedly, you should be aware that the braiding procedure will be quite uncomfortable at times. The braids’ tightness is what keeps them in place!
Your Braider’s Skill Level
Not all braiders can create the beautifully knotted and braided braid wonders we see on the internet. When you bring photographs of the braids you desire to your braider, make sure you consider his or her actual skill level. If you’re dealing with a beginner braider, a more basic style may be the best option.
Daily Styling Preferences
When choosing your braids, consider how you generally dress your hair on a daily basis. If you don’t mind putting in some effort in the mornings, you could appreciate a half braided style with loose ends of your natural hair extensions. Full tribal braids that weave every hair in and leave no hair hanging free are ideal if you want braids that eliminate the need for styling.
Part Preferences
You can change up your natural part with your braid arrangement, but you must convey this explicitly to your braider. Tell them you want braids with a center portion. Let your braider know if you want a side part or just want everything braided straight back. It’s impossible to modify the direction of your braids once they’ve been weaved, so speak out before your braider begins to guarantee you like the way your hair separates when it’s all done.
Protective Styles
If you want braids to protect your hair, stimulate healthy new growth, and avoid breakage from heat treatment and hard handling, you should obtain braids that cover every hair on your head. If your primary purpose is protection, avoid styles with loose ends.
Tribal braids may have started in ancient African tribes and societies, but they are still popular in today’s modern globe. There are several advantages to boldly sporting a tribal braided style today, ranging from higher hair protection to improved manageability.
And there’s no disputing that these beautifully woven designs are eye-catching and invite comments. We advise you to wear your tribal braids with a distinctive twist with pride. Just make sure you know what to ask for so you get the desired style and design!