Bantu knots are a protective hairstyle. They look like mini twisted buns. Bantu knots come to us from South Africa. The hairstyles that hail from there are truly magnificent. Those African women really know how to style their hair! A twisted (or braided) portion of hair wrapped around itself to form a bun is called a Bantu knot. Bantu knots are also used to coil or curl hair. The partitioning of hair plays quite an important role when styling Bantu knots.
Before You Get Started
- Avoid doing Bantu knots on freshly washed hair. Let your hair dry for at least 40 minutes. Styling wet hair may lead to breakage.
- Section the hair depending on how you want the hair to look. Bigger and less number of knots will give wave-like coils, while more knots will make the hair look fluffy.
- Never use a rubber band to secure the knots. It may cause breakage.
- Avoid re-twisting your hair, as it may cause hair breakage and scalp damage.
In This Article
How To Do Bantu Knots
- Make sure your hair is washed and conditioned. Don’t forget to detangle your hair.
- For best results, make sure your hair is damp, not wet or dry.
- Create partitions by sectioning off the hair.
- Take the first section and apply oil, cream, mousse or gel to it. Do not use any heavy cream, oil or butter to your hair as this might lead to hair breakage.
- Twist or braid all the hair in that section. You can add in extensions or colorful ribbons if desired.
- Then, twist and tight wrap the hair around itself to form a bun. You can twist and wrap simultaneously; it depends on what you’re comfortable with.
- Keep coiling the hair around until you reach the end. Tuck the end off inside the bun and secure it in place with a pin. If your Bantu knots are tight, then your hair might stay in place without a pin.
- Wrap the Bantu knots in a silk or satin head scarf. The next day, when you remove the Bantu knots, your hair will be in perfect curls. This hairstyle is called the Bantu knot-out.
Did You Know?Bantu knot hairstyles can be traced back to the 2nd millennium BCE when the Bantu-speaking community spread through Africa.
22 Best Bantu Knot Hairstyles
1. Half Up Half Down Braided Bantu Knots
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Get creative with the traditional Bantu knots and try the half up half down look. You can recreate this look with fewer Bantu knots – two at the front and two at the back of the head. You can let your natural fall free or twist them at the sides and the back. Voila!!! You are ready with an easy breezy, and bold look.
2. Jumbo Bantu Knot Crown
Photo By Chidimma peace On Pexels
Photo by: Chidimma peace
Wear your Bantu knots like a crown! Channel your inner goddess, who you are, with these big Bantu knots by placing them diagonally instead of straight parts.
3. Braided Triangular Bantu Knots
Braids, Bantu knots, and triangle partings come together to make this stunning hairdo. Split your hair into triangular sections. Take small portions of hair and braid two stitches, then separate that braid into two braids. Do this randomly on different parts of the hair. Twist the rest of the hair into Bantu knots and wrap the braids around them. Accessorize for effect!
4. Faux Tri Bantu Knot Mohawk
This hairstyle is a gorgeous three line faux Bantu knot mohawk with baby hair on the sides. The red color makes this hairdo look fiery. You can achieve this hairstyle with the help of hair extensions. Wrap the extensions around your natural hair, twisting them as you go, and make three columns (from the hairline to the nape of the neck) of Bantu knots.
5. Twists And Braids
Blend twists and braids to get this killer Bantu knot hairstyle. The braid going from the top to the bottom knot and the color adds pizzazz to it. Part your hair in square sections with a rat-tailed comb. In one square section, braid feed-in cornrows in such a way that all the braids point towards the center of the square. Braid your hair only a little in the beginning. To make the Bantu knot, twist and wrap your hair around itself. Towards the end, braid some of the hair in the Bantu knot.
6. Basic Bantu Knots
These basic Bantu knots hairdo look terrific. Take a small portion of hair and twist it. Repeat the same with three or four other small sections, then merge those twists to form one Bantu knot. Repeat the same with all your hair to mimic this look.
7. Braided And Accessorized Bantu Knots
Braided and accessorized Bantu knots look amazing! Part your hair in triangular sections and braid each section of hair. Wrap each braid into a Bantu knot. You can accessorize these Bantu knots with clip on beads and trinkets of jewelry.
8. Cornrow And Bantu Knot Wheel
This wheel of down-to-up cornrows and braided Bantu knots looks so fierce! Part your hair in triangular sections and take a bit of hair from the sides of each section. These side sections of hair will make up the ten braids (two each on the sides and six making the wheel). Braid the rest of the parts and make Bantu knots, merging them with the six-wheel braids.
Related: What Is Natural Hair Shrinkage? 8 Best Ways To Combat It
9. Frontal Bantu Knots
Bantu knots just on the front look laidback and chill. Part your front hair in three sections, making the middle section a triangle. In the middle section only, twist the hair into a Bantu knot. On the side sections, make smaller Bantu knots, how many is up to you.
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10. Small Bantu Knots
Multi-colored small Bantu knots look uber cool. The half updo is sure to stun! Make a middle parting. Near the parting, braid two angular Dutch braids that will end in twisted Bantu knots. With the remaining hair in the middle section, twist a few smaller Bantu knots to complete the look.
11. Tall Bantu Knots
Tall Bantu knots look gorgeous. And we know how awesome braids and Bantu knots look together. Let me tell you how this random combination of braids and twists come together to form this chill hairdo. Make random partings all around your head while taking about an inch of hair on either side to make braids that will drop down. Twist the rest of your hair, leaving some sections. Braid the rest. Wrap all the twisted and braided parts together to form blended Bantu knots.
12. Small Braided Bantu Knots
Small Bantu knots look amazing!! Braid cornrows upward only half way. Twist the remaining part of the braids, merging three or four cornrows together to form one Bantu knot at the top. Repeat the same for all the other sections of hair.
StyleCraze TriviaBantu knots are a symbol of pro-blackness, pride, and self-love.
13. Side Bantu Knots
These side Bantu knots are epic! Make a triangular partition on one side of your head. Divide that part into three sub-triangles. Twist and wrap the hair in each section to form three Bantu knots on the side. Fluff up the rest of your hair, and you are ready to win the world.
14. Mini Flat Bantu Knots
Mini flat Bantu knots are just stunning. Part all of your hair in two sections in a longitudinal middle parting. Divide your hair in each of those sections into four-parts. Twist each section into a Bantu knot.
15. Micro Bantu Knots
Micro Bantu knots all over the head look amazing. Section your hair in small diamond partitions, then twist and wrap each partition of hair into little Bantu knots. You can also braid your hair into Bantu knots. Once you remove these knots, you will have perfect curls to flaunt.
Related: 31 Bombass Ways To Style Your Bodacious Box Braids
16. Twists And Big Bantu Knots
Twists and two big Bantu knots look incredible. Part your hair into alternate triangles. Twist all the sections of hair individually while adding extensions. Dip the ends in hot water to seal them. Wrap the top half twists in two big Bantu knots.
17. Halo Braids And Bantu Knots
Cornrows, halo braids, and Bantu are a brilliant combination. Cornrow your hair towards the center of your head. Once the cornrows are a few centimeters away from the center, merge them two-by-two or three-by-three and braid them. Section off the braids in such a way that the most significant braid is left out while the others are wrapped around into three Bantu knots at the center. Now, wrap the big braid around the three Bantu knots to form a halo.
18. Spirally Braided Bantu Knots
Spiral braids ending in Bantu knots look amazing. Part small sections of hair spirally and cornrow them. Wrap the cornrows around themselves to form Bantu knots.
19. Blended Bantu Knots
Small and long Bantu knots in rectangular partitions are here to dazzle! This hairdo is absolutely marvelous!
20. Four Bantu Knotted Mohawk
Stun with this Bantu knot mohawk. To mimic this badass hairstyle, section your hair into four parts. Twist and wrap each section into Bantu knots while adding in extensions.
21. Bantu Knots With Braided Ends
Braids left at the end to be twisted into Bantu knots are terrific. Part your hair into triangular partitions. Braid each section and wrap it around itself to make Bantu knots. Leave a hanging braid on each side to add to the style.
Related: 32 Edgy Braided Mohawks You Need To Check Out
22. Reverse Braided Bantu Knots
Take the front half of your hair and make two Bantu knots. Then, braid two down-to-up braids and twist the ends around the Bantu knots. Very chic, wouldn’t you say?
It is indeed awe-inspiring to see that traditions of old Africa are still being followed by the descendants. There were a lot of questions regarding Bantu knots. So, I’ve answered them down below to help you get some clarity.
Infographic: Cool Facts About Bantu Knots
We understand if you can’t wait to try out some Bantu knots. After all, they are cool and fashionable. But before you begin, wouldn’t it be great to learn a little about the history of these knots?
To get you started, we have collected some facts about Bantu knots. Find them in the infographic below.
The key to achieving Bantu knots without much hassle is washing and detangling your hair. Yes, although all your hair will be rolled into mini buns, you cannot let your hair strands remain tangled. If you do, you may experience hair damage. So, gently detangle them and then do them buns. You have a wide range of options to choose from. Now, without further delay, follow our tutorial and say hello to some fun hairstyles because it is time for you to grab your shine!
