Traditional Ethnic Hairstyles

Bantu Knots Hairstyles, Braided Hairstyles, and Twist Hairstyles

Women

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Here are some images of old photographs of communities wearing Bantu knots hairstyles with braids/twists, from different eras, ethnic traditions, and cultures.

Some photographs, originally in black and white, have been partially or entirely colourized by the graphic designer AGOBO.


Bantu Knots : This hairstyle involves creating buns. Each section of hair is twisted into a spiral and secured. The hair can also be braided or dreadlocked before being twisted, depending on the style and origins. Like most African braided hairstyles, the knots are fractal in pattern. There are different styles of knot separators (square, triangle, wave, etc.) and different knot shapes (conical, tubular, flat, etc.).

The " Bantu Knots " hairstyle (in English) is also called "Zulu Knots" (in French), "Tufi ya ntaba" (Goat dung) in Lingala (a Congolese language), "Matobos" in Cameroon, or even "Chou," "Kaka kabrit," "Kaka mouton" depending on the French-speaking Creole dialects of the Antilles or Guyana. There are a multitude of names depending on the language.


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