Markets all over Africa sell traditionally-woven products. The most common products include baskets and mats woven in traditional designs. Large-scale companies invest in traditionally-skilled weavers. The demand for traditional woven products in Africa, and from foreign markets, ensures weavers sell their products and earn a living. Beauty salons all over Africa provide braiding services, a traditional way of styling hair. Braiding styles range from country to country.
Religion, community traditions, gender, wealth and social class influence the patterns chosen in weaving. Weavers in modern Africa adapt traditional patterns for modern fashion trends. Africans weave fabrics in a range of patterns. These fabrics contain messages adapted from wise sayings in Africa. Basket and mat patterns vary depending on the traditional economic activity of the community. Braids include the common three-strand interlocking; some stylists use more strands for creativity. Braiding patterns allow for creativity.
All traditional African weaving uses natural products. The Zulu use Ilala palm folds and natural dyes to add color for basket weaving. Raw materials used include baobab bark, sisal fibres, banana fibers and wool. Different trees and plants produce different colors used to dye the strands before weaving. Stylists do not add hair extensions; instead, they use natural hair and adorn it with traditional jewelry made from seeds and colorful beads.
Traditional African weaving and braiding display cultural variations in Africa. The unique and varied styles in woven products and braiding indicate a rich culture of the African people. The kente cloth of the Ashanti represents history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious belief, social values and political thoughts. The lifestyles and beliefs of Africans inspire the woven products. Stylists use different braiding styles for different occasions, such as cornrows for everyday wear, and twists and braids for ceremonies.