trança

Trança is a hairstyle formed by interlacing strands of hair to create a woven pattern. In Portuguese, the word trança refers to a braid or plait and comes from the verb trançar, meaning to braid or weave.

Braids can range from simple three-strand plaits to more intricate styles such as the French braid, Dutch braid, fishtail braid, and rope braid. In many regions, tranças are used with extensions, beads, or colored threads, and may have regional names like trança africana or trança de raiz. The technique typically involves sectioning the hair at the scalp and weaving strands in a prescribed order to form the desired pattern.

Maintenance and styling practices vary with hair type and desired duration. Simple braids may be worn for a few hours, while protective styles with extensions can last weeks. Proper care includes keeping the scalp clean and moisturized, avoiding excessive tension that can damage follicles, and protecting the style at night with a satin or silk covering to reduce friction.

Cultural and historical context shows that braiding is a widespread and longstanding practice. Across Africa and its diaspora, tranças can convey ethnicity, age, social roles, or personal identity, while in other parts of the world they function as practical, decorative, and fashionable hairstyles. Today tranças are common globally, appearing in everyday wear, traditional ceremonies, and contemporary fashion.