The History of Cornrows
Marquetta Breslin
Have you seen an African American hairstyle with braids that lay flat on the scalp? Maybe you've seen them covered in different shells and beads. This design is called "cornrows." Cornrows are popular because of their minimal-care regime and their versatility on both men and women.
Cornrows sparked their popularity during the ''Black Power Movement'' of the early 1970s. During this time millions of African Americans were afraid to wear their ''natural hair'' in public. This period of time also brought other popular styles to our attention, including the afro. Cornrows are popular because they are not only very low maintenance but because their intricate designs are also very popular.
Cornrows have represented many different attributes in pre-slavery times including kinship, religion, age, status, ethnicity, and more.
Here are some other interesting facts:
1. During the 1960s African American women preferred not to be seen in public with their natural hair. On a popular television show of that time, East Side / West Side, actress Cicely Tyson wore a full head of cornrows for one of her scenes. Some people believe this sparked the end of the ''natural hair'' trend.
2. With proper care and maintenance, cornrows can look beautiful for about two to four weeks. However, keeping them longer may result in the hair becoming locked or matted.
3. Some people consider cornrows ''unprofessional'' for the work environment and have disputed the style in the workplace for several years. Some employers have banned them altogether.
4. The ''straight back'' design for cornrows is seen the most, defined as braids laying flat on the scalp in a front to back direction. The versatility of cornrows makes them popular because this basic style can be manipulated into thousands of different designs. Complicated parts, like the zig-zag, means that 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.
About the Author:
Owner of Braids By Breslin, Marquetta Breslin is a licensed hair braider and has been braiding hair for over 12 years. For more tips and tricks about cornrows, please view Marquetta's website.
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