Braids originated in Africa and date as far back as the first humans that were found on the continent. Braids were used to showcase tribes, social status, and cultural groups in Africa. During the trans Atlantic slave trade, braids were used as escape maps. Egyptian mummies that date up to thousands of years were found with braided extensions on their hair.
There are different types of braids in Africa; cornrows, box braids, twists, and the popular Ghana weaving which is also called banana braids, Cherokee braids, or fishbone braids. In Africa, both men and women can braid their hair, but Ghana weaving is only mostly worn by women, however, it is not unusual to see men wearing them.
Ghana weaving braids are made by feeding-in kanekalon hair extensions over the hair as the hair is being braided. This feeding-in technique gives the braids a “net” like texture. Ghana weaving braids look very distinct from regular cornrows as they start slim at the beginning before becoming thicker and broader as the braiding progresses.
History and Evolution of Ghana Weaving
Ghana weaving braids were found etched in sculptures and hieroglyphs dating way back to 500 BC. It is called Ghana weaving because the distinct braiding style was thought to originate from Ghana. This style of weaving has been made popular and exported out of the African continent by celebrities like Beyoncé, Keke Palmer, Keri Hilson and so many more.
Ghana weaving braids have also become a trend due to the increased love and awareness for natural hair among African/African-American women and the need for protective styles. Braids have been around for millenniums and will still be around in millenniums to come because Braiding is one of the best protective styles for African hair and Ghana weaving is one of such protective styles. Ghana braids never go out of style and are here to stay.
Latest Ghana Weaving Styles You Will Love
Ghana weaving hairstyles have evolved over the years to very intricate and even complicated styles. From the very easy to the very intricate, to give you an ample playing ground to choose trendy Ghana weaving braid styles, we have curated 25 latest Ghana weaving styles that are a great fit. There is a beautiful style for you no matter your face shape or hair length.
1. One-side Swept Ghana Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-6 hours
This style is also called “lemonade braids” because it was made popular by Beyoncé although it has always been around. The Ghana braids are all braided from one side of the scalp to the other. Either from the left to right or from right to left. It is a very classy Ghana weaving style that can be made with any color of extension. It can be made with a black, blonde, grey, burgundy, or any color of extension at all, so long as it matches your skin shade. As much as it can suit anybody, this style is best for an oval-shaped face.
This style can be braided in very tiny sections or the braids can also be a jumbo size, accessorize with hair rings and shiny hair ropes or beads at the braid tips, and can last two to three weeks.
2. Curved Lines All-Back
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 2 hours
This is a very beautiful not-so-difficult style that can be made in variations with tiny Cornrows in between big Ghana weaving braids just like in the image above, or just the big Ghana weaving braids. The hair is parted in curved lines from the front of the scalp to back in a curved but steady line, and the braid follows the parting pattern.
This style is a fit for any Square shaped face but can also be suitable for all face shapes. You can also use any color of extensions to create this style, accessorize with hair rings and hair beads for the hair tips. This style can last up to two weeks.
3. Ghana Weaving Shuku High Bun
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 3-5 hours
For ladies with round-shaped faces, a beautiful Ghana weaving Shuku updo is a “must try”. Black extensions or darker shades of extensions are perfect for this style. The braids are all weaved to meet at the center of the scalp and then packed into a big bun. Can be accessorized with hair rings and should last two weeks to one month.
4. Zig-Zag All Back
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 2-3 hours.
Zig-Zag all back Ghana braids are simple but intricate. The hair is partitioned with zig-zag lines that run across the scalp. It is a great style for women with round-shaped faces but can also suit any face shape. The hairstyle can be adorned with hair rings and hair beads at the tips. A black extension with Ombre ends is great for this style. The lifespan of this style is one to two weeks.
5. Two-step Ghana Weaving with Box Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-6 hours
This is a two in one hairstyle because the hair is sectioned into two; front and back. Single box braids are braided at the back while the front is weaved. This style has a lot of variations at the front section with hair makers skillfully navigating the weaves as they want, but it must start at the front and end at the middle of the scalp where the box braids begin. This style is great for oval-shaped and round-shaped faces. Can be accessorized with gold or silver hair rings and beads at the tip just like in the image above. You can also use any color of extension but the preferable colors are Black or Gold/blonde. This style can last from two weeks to one month.
6. Middle Part Ghana-Weaving
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-6 hours
For women with round faces, this is a great style, but oval-shaped, heart-shaped, and square-shaped faces can also rock this style. It can last from two weeks to one month and can be made with black, brown, gold, or blonde extensions, accessorized with hair rings, ropes, and beads. This style is made by parting the scalp into two and then the braids start from the middle and then fall on either side. The partition can run from the front of the scalp to the back, or stop at the middle while box braids or twists are made at the end.
7. Fulani Ghana Weaving
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 5-8 hours
Fulani style has come to be one of the very popular Ghana weaving styles. Named after the Fula people of Africa, because the style inspiration was copied from traditional Fula hairstyles. It is a very beautiful and unique hairstyle that fits all face shapes. It can last from two weeks to a month. Accessories bring out the beauty of this style, so indulge in colorful hair clips, hair rings, beads, and hair ropes.
For the extension, black extensions are usually the best, but deep gold or brown can be used too. The defining factor of the Fulani hairstyle is the side braids that fall to the front from each side of the scalp (close to each ear) and the middle braid at the middle of the scalp. There are different variations of the Fulani style and they are all beautiful.
8. Double Bun Up Do Shuku
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 5-8 hours
Double bun updo is another trendy Ghana weaving style a lady can make. The scalp is partitioned into two equal sections and then braided into a bun on each section. It fits all face shapes and can be accessorized with Gold or silver hair rings or hair clips. You can use any color of extension that suits your skin shade. It can last up to 3 weeks.
9. Ghana Weaving with Curly Weave
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 2-3 hours
Every lady should try this style! It works very well with black extensions and can be accessorized with beads and hair clips. It is perfect for oval and heart-shaped faces. A curly weave is installed or crocheted at the back of your hair and the front is weaved backward to meet the weave. The final result is awesome! This style can last up to a month if well maintained.
10. Half Bun and Down
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-5 hours
This is similar to the two-step style, but this is made with a twist. A half bun up do at the top and braid-down cornrows at the bottom just like in the image above or single braids at the bottom. This style fits round, heart, and oval-shaped faces. Can be accessorized with colorful hair clips and hairpins. It can last for 2 weeks to one month. For the choice of extension color, any color can be used.
11. Criss-cross All Back
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 3-4 hours
This is one of the prettiest Ghana braids ever. Make sure you get a very good stylist to braid this for you. This hair is braided in a crisscross fashion. It can last up to 3 weeks and can be accessorized with hair beads and hairpins. Round and oval-shaped faces are perfect for this style but any face shape is also good to go. Use a black hair color of extension or the color of your hair for this style.
12. Mohawk Ghana Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 3-4 hours
Mohawks are the tribal hairstyles of the native Indian tribes of the Americas who are known as the red Indians. This style is a blend of African braids and the native Indian style with the Ghana braids weaved into a vertical updo like a “clap”. Can be accessorized with large golden hairpins. It can last up to a month and you can use darker shades of extensions. If you have a square-shaped face, this style is perfect for you.
13. Snakey Weaves
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-5 hours
This style was first made popular by singer Alicia Keys in the early 2000s, but it is still one of the trendiest hairstyles of 2021 and beyond. The scalp is partitioned intricately into snaky contours, and then the weaving follows the contours on the scalp. You can use blonde, gold, or black extensions for this style. Accessorize with hair rings and beads and this style can last you for 3 weeks. Suitable for all face shapes.
14. Double Braid with Side Cornrows
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 1-2 hours
Simple and beautiful, and it is simply beautiful. This Ghana weaving style doesn’t take long to make and can last you one to two weeks. Chunky Ghana braids are cornrowed on each side of the head and one or two tiny cornrows are attached, just like in the video above. You also need edge control to keep the edges very sleek. Accessories with metal clips for a pretty look. This is suitable for oval-shaped faces. Use the color of your hair for your choice of extension so the hairstyle can properly blend in.
15. Cornrow Bantu Knots
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 3-4 hours
Perfect for round and heart-shaped faces, these Ghana weaving Bantu knots are very trendy. Make sure you are ready for the attention this hairstyle will bring you because it will turn you into the cynosure of all eyes. Black extensions are perfect for this style but blonde or gold extensions are great too. This style can last up to 3 weeks and make sure you accessorize with hair clips and rings.
16. Double Ponytail
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 6-8 hours
For square-shaped face ladies, this style is an absolutely perfect fit. It can be made with any color of hair extensions, but Ombre-colored extensions are perfect just like in the image above, to highlight the ponytails. This style can last up to a month and can be accessorized with beads, cowries, and hair rings.
17. Low Bun
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 2-3 hours
This is a very lovely and trending hairstyle. It is also very comfortable and beautiful. All the hair is woven backward and then wrapped into a low bun at the base of the scalp, just at the back of the head. It is suitable for all face shapes and can last up to 2 weeks. Accessorize with hair clips and hair rings. The preferred extension color is black or gold.
18. Knots and Box Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 6-8 hours
Intricate and beautiful. Perfect for square face shape and oval face-shaped beauties. The hair is braided at the back with single box braids while the front is weaved and then knotted into sections. This is a very trendy Ghana weaving and will have lots of people complimenting your hairstyle. The preferred extension color is black or Ombre color. Accessorize with beads, hair rings, and hair clips and you can carry the hair for up to a month.
19. Asymmetrical Ghana Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 2-4 hours
Stylish and intricate, asymmetrical Ghana braids are trendy and comfortable. The scalp is partitioned into intricate asymmetrical contours, and the weaving follows the contour. Suitable for all face shapes and can last up to 3 weeks, this hairstyle works best with black hair extensions and can be accessorized with hair rings and hair clips.
20. Coiled Stitch Ghana Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-6 hours
Coiled stitch Ghana braids are beautifully intricate. A blend of weaving in a stitch fashion and coiling the tips, perfect for gold or black extensions, and can last up to 3 weeks with proper maintenance of the coils. Suits all face shapes especially oval-shaped faces and can be accessorized with hair rings or hair clips as well as colorful hair ropes.
21. Pineapple Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-6 hours
This is a must-try! It is trendy and absolutely beautiful. A blend of chunky braids and tiny Ghana weave in between gives a mysterious yet intricately beautiful look, and what is more? Any face shape can absolutely rock this! Best to use black extensions to preserve the mysterious look. Accessorize with hair beads, hair rings, and hair clips, and this style can last you a month. Good thing you may not want to take it off at the end of one month.
22. Jumbo Ghana Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 3-5 hours
If you don’t want to sit too long but at the same time make a statement, jumbo weaves are it! It can be made into an all-back or a bun, but the defining style is the jumbo size. Accessorize with metal clips and beads. Black extensions are the most suitable and oval-shaped faces are a great fit. This style can last you two weeks.
23. Small Straight All Back Ghana Weaving
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 4-5 hours
Ciara, in the picture above, looks fierce in this Ghana weaving style. It is simple yet stylish. The hair is braided straight all back in small partitions, nothing complex. Perfect for square-shaped and oval faces. Any color of extension is great so long as it suits your skin shade. Accessorize with hair rings and hair beads and this style can last you three weeks.
24. Ponytail and Front Spirals
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 6-8 hours
This hair is absolute goddess vibes! Absolutely trendy and a great fit for oval and heart-shaped faces. The spirals in the front are intricate and complex and your stylist must be very capable. Accessorize with hair clips and rings as well as beads for the tip of your ponytail. Any color of hair extensions is great but black or darker shades. This hair can last up to a month and you will be getting month-long compliments.
25. Butterfly Patterned Box Braids
- Estimated Time Duration: Can be made in 8-10 hours
Saving the best for the last! This is one of the most beautiful and trendiest styles of Ghana weaving. Tiny Ghana woven braids are all woven into a butterfly pattern and then braided into single chunky braids. This should be suitable for all face shapes and can work with black-colored extensions or Ombre-colored extensions. Accessorize with hair rings, beads, and clips. This style can last up to a month.
Factors to Consider Before Making Ghana Weaving Braids
Ghana weaving is a great way to style your hair, but there are some things you need to do to get the best of your style.
- An experienced capable stylist: This is the first and most important step. A bad hairstylist will ruin everything for you. Be sure they can handle the style before you submit your hair to them.
- Budget: The more complex the style is, the pricier it is. If you are on a budget, go for the less complicated Ghana weaving style.
- Maintenance: Without proper maintenance, the hair will get rough faster than you think. Use edge control for your edges, and a gel to smoothen the braids and do not get your hair wet.
- Time Frame: Some styles take longer than some. So if you want a complex style, prepare to pay more as well as sit for longer hours.
- Face Shape: Most of the outlined styles are great for all face shapes, but you need to check with your stylist to be sure that your face shape works with your chosen style, this is another reason to choose an experienced hair braider. Generally, heart-shaped faces can work with almost all the styles, round faces work with simpler styles. We have attached a face shape diagram below.
image source - Discomfort: If you are tender-headed, you may experience mild discomfort during and after braiding your hair. But if it becomes unbearable, you should have it taken out.
- Hair Texture: Ghana braids are great for 3b-4c hair types. Basically, curly afro hair types. Type 1 and Type 2 hairstyles cannot work with Ghana weaving, they will slip out.
- Age: Not all Ghana weaving styles are suitable for children or the very elderly. Kids need fewer complex styles because of the discomfort that comes with them. Also, kids may not be able to sit through the long hours required for very complex styles.
