LATEST UPDATE: 55 Different Yoruba Hairstyles
Among the Yorubas of southwestern Nigeria, the
head (called ori) is given a very prominentpositi
on and particularly in the females, the hair is
considered to be the crown of a woman’s
beauty. Over the years, the culture-rich Yorubas
have come up with various beautiful and
dazzling hairstyles.
These hairstyles are not just for beautification.
They also serve other purposesand these can be
religious, as a sign of identification, age,
political power, ceremony, occupation or even
to reflect the mood of the lady. It can also
signify the marital status of a woman.
IRUN KIKO: Hair knotting with thread
(threading), usually black in color.
IRUN DIDI: Normal hair plaiting, without thread.
IRUN BIBA: Braiding
You get that? Ok, let’s roll! Remember your
primary and secondary school days when
yourheadmistress (or headgirl) will announce
that ‘the hairstyle for next week is…’. Well, I can
see you smiling and saying koroba, shuku or
even Concorde. Today, Iyaniwura has travelled
extensively and we bring to you some of the
most fascinating hairstyles of Yoruba women.
Each hairstyle has its unique message and are
very very beautiful! Enjoy:
1-SHUKU (also called Suku, 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. When
shuku is blended with koroba,it is called
orishabumni. At a time, it was only the wives of
kings that could make shuku but that change
over time and anyone can now adorn the style.
2-KOROBA (Bucket or pail): The braidings radiate
from the center of the head to all parts, like an
upturned bucket or container.
3-KOLESE (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 ‘corn
rows’.
4-IPAKO ELEDE (means ‘occiput of a pig’ or ‘pig’s
nape’): In ipako elede, the styling starts from the
back but everything eventually ends infront.
When scaling the braids, the non-linear contours
of the head are followed. There is a main
middle model that the Onidiri (hair stylist,
weaver or hair dresser) follows by repeating the
units in a an amazing form offractal geometry.
Ònsèsòó is the person on whose head the style
is being made. And because the head is believed
to be the seat of the soul, Ònsèsòó is forbodden
to price the amount charged while the Onidiri is
expected to shun food while working.
The person who makes the hair is called the
ONIDIRI while the person the hair is being made
for (sitting) is called the ONSEESO. Yoruba
culture is rich!
5-PANUMO (means ‘Keep Shut!’): Panumo 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.
6-OJOKOPETI : (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. I love that!
7. Moremi
8. Kojusoko (Face your husband)
9. Kehinsoko (Turn your back to your husband)
10. Onile Gogoro/Akaba/Aladile (Skyscraper)
11. Patewo (Clap your hands)
12. Ajankolokolo
14. Pakunpo (Knock-knee)
15. Awoyoyo (Troop of marching soldiers)
16. Binta My Daughter
17. Aarinomonimasun (I prefer to sleep in the
midst of kids)
18. Agogo (Pile up, it is usually reserved for
married women)
19. Ajanloso (squatting dog)
20. Akete Kano (Hat from Kano State)
21. Eko Bridge
22. Ogun pari (the war has ended,
commemorates the end of the Nigerian Civil War
in 1970)
24-Ade Oba (the king’s crown)
25-John Kennedy
26-Face-to-face (made in such a way that it will
not be crushed when the wife is kissing the
husband)
27-Macwira (without crown)
28-Pineapple
28-Remo carpet
29-Be back
30-Roundabout
31-Baret
32-Four Adese line
33-Alhaja
34-Morinmo (describes a kind of intimate act,
number
35-Edabo
36-Ikoto
37-Ilekedi
38-Nigeria Drive Right
39-Lipede
40-Naira
41-Sakadel
42-Danfo
43-One Nigeria
44-African Games
45-Ona La
46-Kereni
47-Oro Oko kowoti (the words of the husband
never enters the ears)
48-Cut-cut (to depict women who move from
one man to the other without settling down)
49-Iyawo Osingin (new bride)
50-Police Cap
51. Be Front
52. West African Record
53. Macwira with crown
54. Concorde
55. Adimole
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