Yoruba Hairstyles For Women And Children

Hi there! If you are looking for Yoruba hairstyles for women and children, you have already found yourself a solution because you are in the right place.

The Yoruba people are one of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. They are predominantly scholars, farmers, and traders.

Yoruba, which is more correctly pronounced as ‘Yaraba’, is the usual Hausa name for Oyo people. In other words, it was initially referenced to the Oyo Empire.

Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, who was the first Anglican bishop in Nigeria, was an Oyo Yoruba, so he compiled the first-ever Yoruba dictionary and also introduced a standard for Yoruba orthography.

Just as Yoruba is an independent ethnic group on its own, it has its own heritage and cultures that are quite different from those of other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Their cuisines, attires, and even hairstyles are peculiar. One of the peculiar traits of this ethnic group is the Yoruba hairstyles for women and children.

Yoruba women are very creative in terms of their physical appearance, which includes their fashion and hair. Their history and folklore influence their traditional and even modern designs, which are generally grouped by the styling method.

There are two basic methods for hairstyles among Yoruba women. There are (Irun Didi) which is the hand-plaited style with nothing attached, and (Irun Kiko) which is tied with either thread or braid.

Implements Used for Making Yoruba Hairstyles for Women And Children

These hairstyles vary from other conventional hairstyles, and so the implements used are equally different. Let us quickly look at them.

• • Local hair cream: This could be shea buttercream, generally called “Ori,” palm kernel oil, coconut oil, etc.,  traditionally used for braided styles.
  • Oya: This is a wooden comb comprised of about three teeth that come in various sizes.
  • Threads: This could be wool yarn or plastic briding thread. They meet various needs for both braiding and weaving purposes.

Yoruba Hairstyles And Names

#1. SHUKU

(also called Suku, which means basket): This is quite simple, and it is one of the most popular in Nigeria. It is a form of braiding in which the hair runs from the forehead to the nape of the neck or forms a rump on top of the head.

#2. KOROBA

(Bucket or pail) The braidings radiate from the center of the head to all parts, like an upturned bucket or container.

Also, check out this article on Top 14 Major Ethnic Groups in Nigeria.

#3. ORISHABUMNI

This style is achieved when Shuku is blended with Koroba. At a time, it was only the wives of kings that could make shuku, but that changed over time, and no one can now adorn the style.

#4. PANUMO

Panumo means ‘Keep Shut!’, it starts from two different points, one from the forehead and one from the back. The two meet at the centre of the head, leaving a little hole.

#5. OJOKOPETI

This means ‘Rain is not beating the ears’. The styling technique of this is in such a way that it starts from one ear and then moves across to the other ear.

#6. EKO BRIDGE

This hairstyle is used to represent a bridge in Lagos (Eko), Nigeria. The hair is divided into 10 or 11 sections.

The thin braids are then twisted to form a bridge-like point above the head. Married women are known to rock this style more as it looks more complicated for younger females.

#7. ARO META

This symbolizes the trinity, i.e., three equal things. The hair is woven to form three humps on the head; a hump at the front and two at the back of the head.

#8. ROUNDABOUT

In this type of traditional Yoruba hairstyle, the hair is made to look like a roundabout. Using plastic plaiting threads, the long strands of hair are woven into a circular design like a roundabout.

#9. KOJUSOKO

This hairstyle is made by plaiting the hair with plastic plaiting threads that have all of its long strands directed to the front.

Kojusoko means to ‘face the husband.’ Men love it when they’re paying obeisance to them, so you have to rock this for your husband.

#10. ADE-OBA: This style is made to look like a crown. ‘Ade-Oba’ literally means ‘King’s crown.’ You will love this when seen on a queen. This style signifies royalty.

#11. ONILE GOGORO: This is made as a result of the designs seen in the environment by the Yoruba people. ‘Onile Gogoro’ means ‘a very tall building’. Hence, this style is formed by twisting the hair to form a tall building like a skyscraper.

#12. OGUN PARI

This means the ‘end of the war.’ The hairstyle was created to commemorate the end of the Nigerian Civil War.

The natural hair is divided into large sections, and plastic plaiting thread is used to make long, thin braids. The braids are then bent into large arches, connecting the thin tops to the bottom of adjacent braids.

#13. KOLESE

This means ‘Legless.’ In this knotting style, each knot originates from the front and runs to the back of the head, not too far from the neck. It is also called ‘all back’ or ‘cornrows’.

#14. IPAKO ELEDE

This means ‘occiput of a pig’ or ‘pig’s nape’. In ipako elede, the styling starts from the back, but everything eventually ends in front. When scaling the braids, the non-linear contours of the head are followed.

There is a main middle model that the Onidiri (hairstylist, weaver, or hairdresser) follows by repeating the units in a fantastic form of fractal geometry. Ònsèsòó is the person on whose head the style is being made.

#15. DADA

The Dada hairstyle revolves around spirituality and has religious significance. The Yorubas hold the belief that natural and dense hair has a spiritual essence. Most of them keep their hair to form dreadlocks at an early age. The Orisha Spirit ‘Olokun’ is linked with this hairstyle. Some parents often believe that if their children’s hair is shaven or cut, they will die or become severely ill.

#15. Ilari Osanyin 

A lot of Yoruba people hold the belief in reincarnation. This means rebirth, especially when a child dies at a very early age, usually before clocking age 12. This child is known as Abiku. Abikus’ spirits are usually reborn into the same family.

To honour Abiku children, their hair is shaved by either side every 14 days. This hairstyle pays homage to the Yoruba god of medicine and health, Osanyin.

#16. Ere 

The worshipers of the deity Esu have the hairstyle, Ere. Esu is the god responsible for fate. Destiny and the safety of travelers. The style has a single, long growing hair at its front; there is a pigtail that holds spiritual significance in the Yoruba religion.

Hair Care Tips for Yoruba Hair

• Ensure your hair is properly washed to get rid of excess oil and dirt.
• Utilise chemical-free shampoo on your scalp to cleanse your hair. Don’t use shampoo on your hair because it can wash off its moisture and lead to dryness.
• Always refer to the instructional manual on your products and follow them diligently.
• It is always good to utilise leave-in conditioners while you oil your hair. This will ensure you retain both the conditioner and the oil more effectively.
• Your hair requires the nourishment of protein and amino acids to attain growth, so you need foods that are rich in these nutrients (like yam, green vegetables, meat, nuts etc.) that are great for healthy hair.
• Ensure your hair is styled often! You can plait protective styles for your hair. Styling your hair enables it to stand up to breakage and encourages it to grow in an effective and healthier manner.

List of Hairstyle Names in Yoruba

List of Hairstyle Names in English