Braids are one of the most often used hairstyles nowadays for any situation. You may wear a braided hairdo anywhere, including regular lessons and weddings, which is why there are more and more variations available nowadays.
However, dreadlocks are also fairly fashionable among many individuals today in addition to braids. Dreadlocks are regarded as the top choice for many young men and women, particularly for the great look they give you.
Dreadlocks are matted, knotted hair that forms into rope-like locks, while cornrows are extremely tight plaits in the hair.
When it comes to attempting protective hairstyles, black girls have set the bar too high. This is the reason why getting your hair done in braids or dreadlocks has become so fashionable.
Keep reading to learn more about braids and how dreadlocks and cornrows differ for visual, durability, and styling purposes.
Some of the simplest hairstyles for teenage black females include a ponytail, bun, or an afro puff. However, kids feel bored easily, so to keep things interesting, they can add braids, twists, or beads to their hair.
Black Women usually have their hair braided, as a sign to show strength and connectivity.
Speaking of braids, there are numerous styles that black teenage females can easily execute.
As long as they aren’t too tight or left in for too long, buns are very simple to create; it’s crucial to keep in mind to alter your hairstyle so that your scalp can occasionally receive a respite.
Braided Hairstyle
The intricate hairstyle, known as a braid, is created by tying together three or more hair strands.
Braids represent the fusion of the body, mind, and spirit into one. Although there are different ideas concerning braids and hair, the majority of teachings discuss the spiritual force that is concealed in the hair.
Some even claim that three hair strands braided together represent the connectivity of the past, present, and future.
Every hair type is acceptable in terms of texture: No matter your hair type—straight, wavy, curly, or coily—you can easily flaunt braids. There are various braid sizes: microbraids, or tiny plaits, are a common name for little braids.
Regular braids, fishtail braids, French braids, and Dutch braids are the four different varieties of braids. Let’s have a look at their nature.
Types of Braids
Description
Regular
The act of braiding is the lacing or weaving of hair strings into plaits.
Simply a French braid that has been turned inside out.
Different Types of Braids
Why Are Braids Important In Black Culture?
Braiding has been used historically for a variety of purposes, including identifying tribes, determining social standing and other societal classifications, and charting slave escape routes.
It has been passed down through the years and ingrained in Black and African cultures to delicately intertwine one’s hair; the braids’ look has evolved a little bit over the past 5,000 years, but the methods seen in old artwork and artifacts haven’t changed.
Since the first colonizers set foot on the African continent, black people have been humiliated, made fun of, treated unfairly, and policed because of their black hair.
When we discuss the cultural appropriation of our braided hairstyles, we are merely highlighting the ancestor-related value and historical background of these hairstyles.
What Is A Dread Hairstyle?
Dreadlock Hairstyles are common in both genders.
Dreadlocks are rope-like hair strands that are created by matting or braiding hair. They are sometimes referred to as locs or dreads. They have “locks” of hair, which are collections of individual hairs.
Contrary to common perception, Africa, not Jamaica, is where dreads or dreadlocks first appeared. Hindu God Shiva is reported to be wearing “jataa” (dreadlocks in Sanskrit), which is how the style was initially described in The Vedas in 2500 B.C.
Ancient Egyptian artifacts, sculptures, and drawings all contain locs. Pharaohs who were mummified thousands of years ago still had all of their dreads.
Later, the Himba Tribe of Namibia adopted the look. A young woman might wear her dreads tied back to showcase her face and signal that she is prepared for marriage there because hair there was utilized to represent a person’s age or marital status.
These days, this haircut is prevalent all across the world and has many cultural connotations.
What Is A Cornrow Hairstyle?
In order to create continuous, elevated rows of hair, the hair is braided very close to the scalp in the classic style known as cornrows.
Cornrows date back to Africa in 3000 B.C. The patterns often revealed a person’s tribe of origin as well as their rank within that tribe.
Cornrows were also a social status symbol for warriors and rulers; fashion is now prevalent across the world and is significant in Sudan, West Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
The braids in these places may denote someone’s age, marital status, money, ancestry, religion, or personality.
Close-to-the-head, clean designs can be worn alone or with shells, glass, coral, flowers, or twigs intertwined throughout.
This cornrow tutorial will help you better understand the style and nature of cornrow braids.
Difference Between Dreads And Cornrows
There are many alternatives available when it comes to hairstyles. Cornrows and dreadlocks are two common hairstyles that are frequently contrasted. These are two distinctive, historically significant, and long-lasting fashions.
A hairstyle known as dreadlocks, sometimes referred to as locks or dreads, is one in which the hair is allowed to develop naturally into long, rope-like strands. Instead of brushing or combing the hair, it is allowed to develop into locks.
Contrarily, a hairstyle known as cornrows involves firmly braiding the hair to the scalp in a sequence of patterns or lines. The braids’ resemblance to rows of corn is where the term ‘cornrows’ originates.
While cornrows have cultural significance in many African American communities and are frequently worn as a protective style to encourage hair growth, dreadlocks have cultural significance in many communities, including Rastafarianism and many African traditions.
Both hairstyles require regular maintenance and good hair care. Washing the head while wearing cornrows might be difficult to keep them from unwinding. The same is true for dreadlocks, however, they can be kept in good condition by being re-twisted.
Both hairstyles are unquestionably excellent in their own ways. There is no consensus regarding which hairdo is superior to the others; the decision is entirely up to the person. However, both genders can rock both looks.
Alternatives to Dreads and Cornrows
Fulani Braids
Fulani Braids have symbolized the status one wants to give off.
Hair extensions of various lengths are generally added to Fulani braids in distinctive patterns of thin- to medium-thick tightly plaited braids that are close to the head.
The Fulani (Fula) people of West Africa and the Sahel region are the origin of feed-in braids or Fulani braids; this style has braids that hang or loop on the sides of the head and is renowned for its length and distinctive patterns.
A middle-of-the-head coiffure will also be present. Then, for a touch of tradition, the hair is adorned with beads, shells, wooden or metal ornaments, or even a family’s silver coins and amber.
Ghana Braids
Ghani braids originated from Africa and were mostly seen in old sculptures.
Although Ghanaian braids resemble cornrows, they are much thicker due to extensions. Ghana braids are also known as invisible cornrows by stylists.
Ghana braids have their roots in Africa and were originally shown in 500 B.C. hieroglyphics and sculptures. Since then, fashion has been very important to Ghanaian social, cultural, and religious customs.
Similar to cornrows, Ghana braids are kept near the scalp, however unlike cornrows, the Ghanaian pattern begins small before expanding into a wider pattern before tapering off at the ends.
There are various ways to wear these braids, such as high ponytails or wrapped buns, even though this style is normally devoid of ornamentation.
Conclusion
Protective hairstyles like dreadlocks are regarded as semi-permanent hairstyles. The locks have a roper-like appearance and may be worn in braids or buns for styling. The hair strands in this hairstyle are secured with the use of the hand or other objects, such as a crochet needle.
A conventional yet fashionable braided hairstyle known as cornrows involves very close braiding of the hair strands in an upward direction. They frequently resemble straight, plain dreads that are easily groomed in a variety of ways. Even though cornrows are only temporary, they can be fashioned for several occasions.
Dreadlocks are a multipurpose hairstyle that may be created using a range of designs and locking methods. Additionally, you have the ability to select the kind of locs you want, including micro locs, sister locks, wicks, interlocks, and more.
The protective hairstyles that help you keep your hair safe and allow it to grow normally include cornrows as well. All ages, genders, and social situations can wear this haircut. This fashion is not subject to religious discrimination.
