| While to the uneducated observer cornrows may | | | | was something that many slaves brought to the United |
| seem like a modern trend that is especially popular | | | | States along with them and continued to do during their |
| with athletes and other famous African Americans | | | | time in captivity. Of course over time this practice |
| and those who emulate them, this is far from the | | | | slipped away from vogue and for several decades |
| reality. Though it is true that many famous people keep | | | | many African Americans straightened their hair out |
| their hair in this style it is more than just a fashion | | | | instead of braiding it. |
| statement but a piece of cultural history. For many of | | | | Cornrows came back into style for those of African |
| African descent, cornrows are a way getting back to | | | | descent during the sixties and seventies as more |
| their roots while showing their pride in their heritage. | | | | people of color wanted to get back to their roots and |
| Cornrows are a popular hairstyle that uses many | | | | show pride in their heritage again. During this time many |
| rows of braids, which are very close to the scalp. | | | | opened up specialty shops just for the purpose of |
| Most often these rows are straight but as many | | | | braiding the hair of those who wanted to be a part of |
| stylists have improved their braiding skills complex | | | | this resurgence. |
| designs and patterns have emerged to create a | | | | Of course since then the braiding style has been |
| unique style for the wearer. | | | | cause for court litigation as cornrows as well as |
| Many attribute the history of cornrows to Africa, but | | | | dreadlocks have had to fight for the right to not be |
| they fail to point out just how long this style has been | | | | banned by some employers. These disputes in the |
| a part of the culture. This hair weaving style has been | | | | American workplace have had civil rights groups |
| found in ancient clay sculptures in Nigeria that were | | | | fighting for those who want to have cornrows that |
| created by the Nok civilization as far back as 500 B.C. | | | | work in places where they are banned. |
| While the reasons why the ancient culture braided | | | | While the style may be closely associated with those |
| there hair in this manner will remain a mystery the | | | | of African descent it is a look that others have used |
| tradition carried on with the continent among other | | | | as well. While the most famous cornrows on a |
| civilizations over the centuries. For those cultures | | | | Caucasian may have been the rows sported by Bo |
| cornrow braids were used to identify religion, family, | | | | Derek in the movie "10" in 1970, showing that everyone |
| status in the village, and more. Just as other cultures | | | | can celebrate African history and style with this |
| around the world have used clothes or jewelry to tell a | | | | popular look. But for many today from rap stars, to |
| little about a person, Africans used their hair for this | | | | athletes and more; cornrows will remain a piece of |
| purpose. | | | | African heritage that is to be celebrated to show pride |
| This tradition and sense of identity through braiding | | | | in cultural identity. |