Cornrows has been worn over centuries to symbolize: status,age, kinship, and ethnicity. Cornrows has also been known as canerows. They were not only widespread in Africa but they go back as far as 500 B.C.. The African people of Namibia have been braiding their hair for centuries.
Through out and even after the Civil War African American adults was straightening their hair, but the children hair was still being cornrowed.
In the 1900's school girls was beginning to wear their hair straightened due to the straighten comb invented by Madam C.J. Walker(but was patented by a French women named Annie Malone).
But by 1969 we were back in full swing with Black Power and wearing our African rooted styled hair. In the 1970's Afro's and Cornrows was steady rising and being worn by many women.
Then in 1972 Cicely Tyson shocked Hollywood when she wore cornrows in the movie "Sounder". In the black community we were already wearing cornrows and other braided styled hair but never seen anyone on the silver screen do it. Cicely Tyson cornrow style braids was both stunning and liberating! She even rocked Cornrows on the cover of Jet magazine.
As hip-hop emerged women and men wore braided styles. The styles were beautiful and expressed our love for our culture. They were even adorned with beads or shells some of the times.
Cornrows and many other braided styles have been worn in our community for many years with extra flare and style. They have been worn down the red carpet and even in the board rooms.
Now that I have given a very short history lesson about Cornrows no recent celebrity can take credit for a style that has been worn for many centuries!!
We love our " Cornrows" and the history it brings with it!!
Have a blessed day!
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