Braids and plaits
The choti, French and Dutch braids, cornrows, box braids and the fishtail. 31 hairstyles on EveryHairstyle so far.
Braids, or plaits, are made by weaving three or more strands of hair over and under one another. They are among the oldest hairstyles: figurines carved more than 25,000 years ago appear to show braided or coiled hair. Every region has its own braids, from the single long choti of South India to the cornrows of West Africa, the Russian braid and the French and Dutch braids of the school playground.
Kinds of braid
The basic plait crosses three strands in turn. A French braid picks up new hair at each cross and lies flat on the head; a Dutch braid crosses under, so it stands up. Cornrows are many small Dutch-style braids in close rows. Box braids hang free from square sections, often with added hair. A fishtail uses only two sections. Each braid can be large or small, tight or loose, and decorated with beads, ribbons, flowers or tassels.
Meaning and history
In much of Africa, braid patterns have long shown a person's region, age, marriage, rank or mourning, and named styles such as the Yoruba shuku are still worn. In Russia and Ukraine a single braid was the sign of an unmarried girl. Braids travelled with the African diaspora and became a powerful sign of identity; in recent decades laws such as the CROWN Acts in the United States have protected braids at school and work.
Famous braid hairstyles
BraidsThe three-strand plait and its relatives
French braidPicks up hair as it goes and lies flat
CornrowsSmall braids flat to the scalp in rows
Box braidsFree-hanging braids from square sections
Fulani braidsFrom the Fula people of West Africa
Russian braidThe national braid of RussiaCrochet braidsExtensions hooked onto cornrowsShukuA Yoruba braided crestFurther reading
🇮🇳 IndiaPunjabi paranda
A multicoloured silk braid extension from Punjab.Adorned · Any hair
WorldBraid
Interlaced strands of hair used for style and social signalling.Braid · Any hair
🇺🇸 United States and 3 moreCornrows
Tight three-strand braids woven close to the scalp in straight or curved lines.Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 1902
🇳🇦 Namibia and 1 moreBox braids
Square-parted protective braids with synthetic extensions.Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 1990
WorldPigtails
Two symmetrical ponytails or braids worn on opposite sides of the head.Ponytail · Any hair
🇬🇧 United KingdomLovelock
A single long braid worn over the left shoulder by 17th-century Europeans.Braid · Any hair · 1580
🇳🇬 Nigeria and 4 moreFulani braids
West African braided style with beads and side strandsBraid · Coily and kinky hair
🇷🇺 RussiaRussian braid
A traditional long plait from Russia with historic marital meanings.Braid · Any hair
🇺🇸 United StatesProtective hairstyle
Styles that tuck hair away to reduce breakage and environmental damage.Braid · Coily and kinky hair
🇳🇬 NigeriaKoroba
A Yoruba braid styled like an upside-down basketBraid · Any hair
EuropeRoman hairstyles
Ancient Roman hair fashions reflecting status and identityUpdo · Any hair
🇳🇬 NigeriaShuku
A Yoruba braided updo where hair is gathered into a hump on top of the head.Braid · Any hair
🇳🇦 Namibia and 1 moreEembuvi
Traditional long braided headdress of Mbalantu women in Namibia.Braid · Straight hair
🇮🇳 IndiaKerala bridal jasmine plait
Long braid wrapped in fresh jasmine garlands for Kerala brides.Braid · Any hair
🇪🇹 EthiopiaShuruba
Traditional Ethiopian cornrows and braids worn by women and men.Braid · Any hair
🇺🇸 United StatesPassion twists
A protective two-strand twist style using wavy extensions for a soft, boho look.Braid · Curly hair · 2018
WorldFishtail braid
A two-strand plait resembling fish bones or a corn stalk.Braid · Any hair
🇺🇸 United StatesKnotless braids
A protective braiding style that feeds in hair to reduce scalp tension.Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 2010
🇺🇸 United StatesLemonade braids
Side-swept cornrows popularised by Beyoncé in 2016Braid · Coily and kinky hair · 2016
🇦🇹 AustriaGoddess braids
Thick, raised cornrows with added volume and curls.Braid · Coily and kinky hair
🇮🇳 IndiaPoola Jada
A floral and jewelled adornment for South Indian bridal braids.Adorned · Any hair
🇮🇳 IndiaParanda
A colourful woven tassel braided into Punjabi hairAdorned · Any hair
WorldPigtails
A hairstyle featuring two symmetrical ponytails or braids on opposite sides of the head.Ponytail · Any hair
WorldBraids
A hairstyle formed by interlacing three or more strands of hair.Braid · Any hair
🇲🇱 Mali and 1 moreGoffa
Traditional braided style with metal adornments for married women in Mali and Niger.Braid · Any hair
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Protective hairstyle: Bluenile Photography c/o A. Smith, CC BY 2.0, source
- Pigtails: Yogi, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Cornrows: Rod Waddington, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- French braid: Stilfehler, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Box braids: Randen Pederson, CC BY 2.0, source
- Lovelock: Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599 - 1641) Details on Google Art Project, Public domain, source
- Fulani braids: François-Edmond Fortier (1862-1928), Public domain, source
- Pigtails: Ykstyyppi123, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Russian braid: Philip Budkin, Public domain, source
- Roman hairstyles: Colchester Museums, Caroline McDonald, 2004-06-02 14:47:52, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Punjabi paranda: Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, source
- Braids: Unknown author, Public domain, source