The History of Cornrows
April 24, 2008 – 11:43 pmHave you ever seen a man or woman with beautifully designed braids laying very close to the scalp? Have you seen these braids decorated with elaborate shells and beads? If so, then you’re familiar with the hair braiding technique called ”cornrows.” Cornrows originated in Africa where they were discovered to be a very low-maintenance way of styling the hair for both men and women.
During the ”Black Power Movement” of the early 1970s, cornrows became a staple of our popular culture. This period of time left many women proud to sport their natural hair, for they no longer felt insecure when leaving home without their hair styled. During this time we were also introduced to other African American hairstyles, including the afro. People loved cornrows because of their low-maintenance regime and intricate patterns and styles.
Also, during pre-slavery times, design cornrows often represented several different factors of a person’s life such as religion, kinship, status, age, ethnicity, and other attributes of identity.
Here are some fun and interesting facts you might not have known about cornrows:
1. In 1963 most African American women loathed to be seen in public with unstraightened hair. That was the case until actress Cicely Tyson decided to sport her very own set of cornrows on the popular television show East Side /West Side. Some people believe that this act contributed to the end of the ‘’straightened hair” trend.
2. Proper maintenance and care will ensure a life of about two to four weeks for your cornrows. Matted or locked hair may result if the style is kept in for any longer than four weeks.
3. Over the years cornrows have been disputed in the workplace for their ”unprofessional appearance.” In fact, some employers have deemed them unsuitable or have banned them altogether from the workplace.
4. The most popular design for cornrows is the ‘’straight back” design, which means several braids lay flat on the head in a front to back direction. However, cornrows can also be manipulated into thousands of different designs including zig-zags, and some styles can take up to 13 hours to complete.
Since everyone’s body is different, the maintenance of cornrows varies from person to person. However, there are some general ideas to keep in mind if you’re thinking about having this style done on your hair. For instance, cornrows can damage the hair if not completed correctly, so make sure your stylist is experienced. Also, cornrows that are braided too tightly can pull the hair out from the roots, mainly around the edges.
To wash cornrows, use only a dry shampoo or a mild astringent on the scalp. Using a regular shampoo will cause your cornrows to unravel. Daily wear of your cornrows could result in stray hairs popping out from the braid. If this happens use a little gel or sheen oil spray, and rub over the length of the braid. This should keep the stray hairs down. Also, before going to bed, wrap your hair with a silk scarf. This keeps your style protected while you move around during sleep.
The next time you see someone sporting a set of cornrows, think about the origin of the style. Cornrows are popular on everyone from young children to adult men. You just never know who you’ll see sporting cornrows next.
Tags: Beauty
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