How to Do Nubian Knots

Nubian Knot styles allow you to achieve two different looks.

Nubian Knots, also called Bantu Knots, have been used by women as a means of creating two different hairstyles -- the parted style with the signature knots and the curly look created by unraveling the knots. The hairdo found its way into popular culture in the film "The Matrix Reloaded," in which actress Jada Pinkett-Smith sported it. You can achieve this look at home. With a little bit of practice, you'll be able to create this versatile, trendy style yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hot oil treatment (optional)
• Leave-in conditioner
• Fine-tooth or rat-tail comb
• Hair clips or rubber bands
• Bobby pins (optional)
• Hairdryer
• Silk headscarf

Instructions

1. Plan your Nubian Knot style. Decide if you want a lot of segments all over your head or just a few. If you're considering extending the style and unraveling the knots later to let your curls hang loose, you should consider how big your segments should be. Make big knots to create looser curls, and make your segments 1-1/2 to 3 inches square. For tighter curls, make knot segments no larger than 1 to 2 inches square.

2. Shampoo and condition your hair. Make sure that your scalp is very clean, since it will be very visible in this style. It also will be exposed to the elements, so consider using a hot oil treatment if you suffer from dry scalp problems. Finally, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair.

3. Part wet hair into the segments that you planned earlier. Use a fine-tooth or rat-tail comb and take your time. To make the style look nice, you'll need to make straight, evenly sectioned parts. Use hair clips or rubber bands to hold the hair segments together while you work on them.

4. Twist a hair segment into a tight rope of hair all the way down to the root. You can split the segment into two strands and twist them around each other, or use the whole segment to twist. Coil the twisted hair around itself from the root up until it begins to look like a spring sitting on your scalp. Keep rotating the hair until you reach the end of the rope. If your hair is short, you'll have a small coil. If your hair is long, expect the hair to begin to form a funnel shape.

5. Tuck the ends of the hair into the coil using the knot itself as the means of holding the hair in place. If you absolutely must use some type of hair accessory to secure the knot, use a bobby pin that closely matches your hair color. However, the style is intended to be secured without pins.

6. Create all your desired knots then dry your hair completely. You can use a hood dryer or blow dryer on medium heat.

7. Unravel the knots to extend your style into a curly hairdo. You can do this when the hair is freshly dry or you can enjoy your knots for a few days before undoing them. Carefully unroll each knot, making sure that you don't separate the twisted hair. This keeps it from getting frizzy. Once you undo all of the knots, go back over and untwist the hair ropes to create your curly hairdo. Protect your hair by wearing a silk headscarf to bed.

References

• Care Fair: How to Make Bantu Knots
• Curly Nikki: My Bantu Knot-Out Results
• Perfect Locks: How to Create Bantu Knots & Bantu Knot-Outs