In bantu knots, the hair is usually sectioned, twisted then wrapped around continuously at the base to create a stacked knot-like appearance. Plus, it’s one of the best protective hairstyles. Bantu knots have been around since time immemorial dating back to the 2nd millennium up to the 1500CE. This was around the time the Bantus of the South West Africa origin were spreading out through Southern, Eastern and Central Africa in what was the Bantu migration.
Currently, the Bantu speaking community are found in different parts of Africa from Eastern, Southern to the Central parts. The bantu speak more than five hundred variations of the same language. In Jamaica, bantu knots are also known as Chiny bumps. Let’s first look at the frequently asked questions about bantu knots before we dive into how to make bantu knots with natural hair, locs, braids and short natural hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bantu Knots a Protective Hairstyle?
Yes! Bantu knots are a protective hairstyle which means it’s not bad for the hair. However, you need to ensure the rubber bands are not secured tightly. If you are going to straighten your hair before making bantu knots ensure you apply a heat protectant and avoid using too much heat to prevent hair breakage or damage.
Who Can Wear Bantu Knots?
Anyone can wear bantu knots regardless of the type of hair whether relaxed or not. Besides, you can even wear bantu knots if you have locs or braided your hair.
How Long do Bantu Knots Last?
You can leave bantu knots in for up to five days if the whole idea is to knot them out eventually. However, the period depends on how much time your hair takes to form the curls.
Can I Sleep with Bantu Knots?
Yes. But they are slightly uncomfortable. The good news is that you can make a few adjustments if you are looking to sleep comfortably.
Are Bantu Knots Done on Dry or Wet Hair?
Bantu knots usually look better on dry, straightened hair. On the other hand, doing bantu knots on wet hair will not give you best results and is equally harder to do.
What Products Can I Use for Bantu Knots?
You’ll need a number of things depending on your desired length, volume and thickness including:
- A rat tail comb
- Rubber bands
- Crotchet Needle
- Shine n jam conditioning gel
- Edge control brush
- Prestretched braiding hair
How to Make Bantu Knots on Short Natural Hair
Part your stretched or straightened hair into different sections according to your personal specifications.
Apply the shine n jam conditioning gel at the base of the sectioned parts and use a brush to tame the flyaways. Secure the parted sectioned using the rubber bands. Ensure you oil the rubber bands to prevent any damage and hair breakage.
For the next step, you can use three different methods to achieve the same results;
- Braid the hair into your parted sections
- Use the crotchet needle to loop in the braiding hair
- Section the braiding hair into two different parts using a rubber band then tie it around the base of the parted hair section
In this case, we are going to use the last method – sectioning the braiding hair to different parts and using a rubber band to secure it at the base.
Tie the braiding hair on the parted section then twist or braid it to the length you desire. Take the braided or twisted hair and wrap it around the base moving upwards. Ensure you tuck what remains to the base securely. Repeat the above process for all the other parted sections.
Use edge control to lay your edges after you’re done.
How to Make Bantu Knots on 4C Hair
If your hair is short, use a rat tail comb to part your hair into different sections keeping the total number of bantu knots you want on your head in mind. They shouldn’t be too many.
Apply shine n jam conditioning gel or any type of hair gel that works best on your 4C hair on the parted sections then use a brush to tame the flyaways for fresh and neat look.
Use rubber bands to tie the sectioned parts and braid your hair to your desired length using a braiding hair of your choice as you would regular box braids.
After you’re done braiding, use a freeze spray on the remaining braiding hair and twist it. Take the braided or twisted extension and wrap it around the base going upwards to create a knot-like appearance. Tuck the remaining hair into the base.
Repeat the process for all the other parted sectioned. Lay your edges using edge control after you’re done.
How to Make Bantu Knots on Locs
You can watch a step by step tutorial on YouTube.
How to Make Bantu Knots with Natural Hair
If you are looking to give the bantu knots a jumbo size look, you can choose to use braiding hair even if your hair is long. You can’t achieve the jumbo size look bantu knots with natural hair without using braiding hair unless you have super thick hair.
Remember, braiding hair is only used to add volume to the bantu knots and make them look better.
Basics of Bantu Knots
The process of making bantu knots is the same regardless of the length and type of your hair. Save for the braids and locs since you don’t need to add extra braiding hair, the parting, sectioning, twisting, wrapping around the base and tucking in the ends is pretty much the same.
Those who prefer small bantu knots can skip the part where you need to add extra braiding hair for volume. People only use some braiding hair to increase the volume of their bantu knots. Let’s now look at the results of different bantu knots now that you are conversant with how to make bantu knots with natural hair, locs and braids.
