Braided hair is extremely popular with women worldwide. It’s a protective style that can be adapted and evolved to suit the latest hairstyle trends, which is something we’ve seen a lot in 2024.
With that in mind, our styling experts introduce you to ten tantalizing tribal braids hairstyles that are protective and stylish. There are looks to express your femininity and those to showcase your individuality, so read on to find the best look for you this year.
But first – what are tribal braids?
Like knotless braids and pop smoke braids, tribal braids are a protective hairstyle inspired by indigenous peoples from all around the world. One of the most popular styles today is Fulani tribal braids, which are worn by groups in Africa. To achieve tribal braids, you can use human or synthetic hair, depending on your budget and preferences. Let’s examine some of the best tribal braids styles to try in 2024:
1. Fulani tribal braids
Popularized by the Fulani people of Africa, Fulani braids are styled with cornrows at the top, with sections of braids to follow. There are numerous ways to wear Fulani braids, from head-curving braids to micro Fulani braids with beads and accessories. If you’re new to tribal braids, search #FulaniBraids on Instagram or TikTok for more inspiration; there’s a lot to choose from!
2. Lemonade tribal braids
Beyonce inspired the “lemonade” craze in 2016, when she released her album of the same name. She wore tribal braids to the back on the album’s cover, which spawned a new style of its own, coined lemonade braids. Like Fulani braids, lemonade braids incorporate numerous styles and iterations, so feel free to get creative, using the queen of pop as your inspiration!
3. Classic long tribal braids
If you don’t want to get too intricate with your braids, wear them long and loose down your back. You can add beads to the ends or within the braids to break them up a little, given their additional length. To change things up, you can then wear your braids in a bun from time to time, which is a great way to achieve a different look with minimal fuss.
4. Tribal braids with heart
This particular style is all over TikTok and is a super cute way to wear tribal braids. Heart-shaped braids are an expression of your femininity and are a chic addition to any type of braid. You will need to be patient if you go for this look, as it will take your stylist a while to create the perfect hearts on the side of your head.
5. Tribal braids with beads
If you’re not a fan of the uniformity of braids, adding beads is the best way to elevate the look. Many Fulani styles are complemented with beads, but you can add them to any style on our list. You can keep things simple with colored braids, or you can incorporate beads with unique styles and designs, much like putting together a Pandora bracelet.
6. Goddess braids
One of the best ways to modernize your look is to leave the ends of your braids curly, which is precisely where goddess braids come in. This texture variation is exceptionally easy to achieve and blends the formality of tribal braids with a unique style. Again, consider adding beads to your goddess braids for a contemporary take on a timeless style.
7. Medium tribal braids with side-parting
Side-part tribal braids are trending in 2024. Rather than parting your braids straight down the middle, this look invites you to find a side parting on either side of the head to start the braids. While you can work this look with micro braids, we recommend medium braids for the best style.
8. Tribal braids with curls
When you think of braids, your mind probably focuses on straight, long hair. But braids and curls are a stunning combination, offering a truly unique style. The best way to go for this look is to combine a neatly braided scalp with loose, curly hair on either side. The length is entirely up to you, but micro braids on top work particularly well for this iconic style.
9. Colorful pony
One of the easiest ways to add something unique to braids is to bring a splash of color to your hair. Keep the braids on top black and work color into the lower braids so you can bring them together in a colorful pony. Any color combo works, but blonde and red combine to create a fiery, feisty look.
10. Box braids
One of 2024’s most popular tribal braids hairstyles is the box braids look. Box braids are a protective style for your natural hair and are best achieved with human hair, though synthetic hair can also work. Like goddess braids, the ends of box braids are left curly, adding something a little different to this protective style.
Final words
If you’re looking for a protective hairstyle that has long been popular with women, look no further than tribal braids. Worn by icons like Rihanna over the years, these braids give you a blank canvas from which to define your style.
You can wear them up or down and accessorize with colors and beads. You can also turn to other trending looks like Fulani, goddess, and box braids to show your modernity and to express yourself with one of this year’s hottest looks.
