Styling Corner: Bantu Knots
Rihanna, Cardi B, Marsai Martin, Yara Shahidi… the list goes on. It seems like every celebrity has been spotted rocking Bantu knots on social media or while strutting their stuff on the red carpet. But before you dismiss bantu knots as just another passing fad, let's take a moment to appreciate the deep-rooted cultural significance behind this hairstyle. While Bantu knots may be enjoying their moment in the spotlight now, their origins can be traced back centuries.
History of Bantu Knots
Bantu knots are a traditional African hairstyle that has been around for hundreds of years. The term “Bantu” refers to the 300 to 600 ethnic groups within southern Africa that spoke the Bantu language. Across these regions, “Abantu” (or Bantu) is recognized as the Zulu word for “people” in most languages.
This simple African hairstyle has found itself on the rise in recent years. Once largely associated with African women, it's now a style recognized and celebrated by all! These days, bantu knots have been reimagined and reinvented in several ways, but through it all, it still remains a staple for Black women around the world.
How to Create Bantu Knots
Now, onto the main event. Bantu knots may look intricate on the outside but fear not boo, we’ve got you covered and will break it down into manageable chunks (pun intended). Just follow these steps:
Start out on a clean canvas by ensuring your hair is cleansed and detangled. You can start with damp hair for tighter coils or dry hair for a more stretched-out look – it’s a free country after all.
Divide and conquer. Part your hair into sections, big or small, depending on your mood and the level of drama you're aiming for.
Apply your favorite styling product (cue hair gel jazz hands) and twist, braid, or twirl each section of hair tightly from root to tip.
Next, wrap each twisted section around itself to create a cute little knot close to your scalp. Secure with pins or ties.
Repeat for all the sections until you’ve covered your entire scalp. And voila – you're on your way to KNOT-orious glory! (I’ll see myself out)
Wrapping Up
And there you have it – the twisted tale of Bantu knots! If you're in the mood for a hair adventure, why not give Bantu knots a whirl? Here’s another incentive: if you get bored of the style, just unravel those bad boys and voila… you've got yourself a fabulous Bantu knot-out! You’ll be serving the girls Tracee Ellis Ross in the blink of an eye. It's a win-win situation.