Fulani braids: idea of sensational African braids

Known as Fulani or tribal braids, Fulani braids are a bold, glamorous, popular and very trendy hairstyle in the hairdressing world. This hairstyle transforms your hair into a true work of art and gives style to the woman who wears it.

This fantastic hairstyle was popularized by the singer Alicia keys in the 2000s in the video of the song “Fallin'”.

What are the Fulani Braids?

Fulani braids are a hairstyle characterized by long hair that is braided into four or five braids lying down and sometimes curly on the sides. To give elegance to this hairstyle, women then decorate their hair with hair accessories made of beads (wood, metal, plastic) and cowries. Depending on the length of your hair, you can make the Fulani with your natural hair or with extensions.

 Specifically, there is a braid in the center of the head, as well as a plaited braid on each side of the head which is braided from back to front and additional braids on the perimeter of the head. 

Origin of Fulani braids

Fulani braids are associated with the Fulani or Fula ethnic group. It is an ethnic group from the Sahel and West Africa. It is a nomadic Muslim community. Most Fulani are from Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Gambia, Niger.

What is the meaning of hair in African culture?

Hair has an important role in African culture and civilization. It is a non-verbal means of communication.

Depending on the hairstyle, the hair can symbolize :

• social status
• marital status
• the origins
• the geographical location
• wealth
• the religion
• the civil status

In this regard, Fulani women decorate their hair with pearl hair accessories, cowries, silver and amber as ornaments. By tradition, some of these pieces are passed down in the family. 

Glamorous & popular celebrity hairstyle.

Fulani people made popular this atypical and daring hairstyle.

Actress Cicely Tyson wore Fulani Peulani braids on the cover of JET magazine in the 1960s and 1970s. She is considered today as the first black woman to wear Fulani braids on the red carpet. 

Beautiful singer Alicia Keys has popularized and internationalized even more this mythical hairstyle in her video Fallin’ and on the cover of her first album Songs in A Minor.

Many stars such as Bo Derek, Jordyn Woods, Amandla Stenberg and Taraji P. Henson followed suit.

How long do Fulani Braids last?

You can keep your fulani braids for 3 to 5 weeks. But you have to follow a few rules to make it last:

• 1/ Protect your braids well at night.
• 2/ Moisturize your hair so that your braids peel.
• 3/ Don’t keep them too long, otherwise you risk damaging them.

How much do Fulani Braids cost?

Prices vary according to the style of Fulani you are looking for and the salon you are in. It can cost you between $€180 to €240.

What is your opinion about Fulani braids ?