It is a reminder that hairstyles are a lot more than a fashion statement. Hence, over the years, cornrows have served as a testimony to the resilience, strength and ingenuity of African- Americans.
Braiding hair into cornrows was an effective and fool-proof method for the slaves to avoid being caught with their plans. Departes with thick and tight braids signalled the desire to escape, while curved braids were used to denote escape routes and roads. Various styles depicted various messages. In Colombia, when slavery was rampant, messages were relayed through hair braiding. This was especially the case in South America. Apart from this, cornrows were also cleverly used for communication and for creating maps to plan their escape from the estates of the colonials. This was the Africans’ way of rebelling and resisting the colonials and reclaiming their cultural identity.
Many slaves grew out their hair again to braid it into cornrows. But not everyone stooped to the colonials’ orders. Stating the reason for sanitation, they were forced to shave their heads, but now it is seen as an act to strip them of their identity and culture. ED Timesĭuring the Middle Passage, millions of Africans were enslaved, chained and transported across the Atlantic to America. More recently, cornrows were a powerful symbol and tool of resistance against bondage and slavery. The earliest documentation of cornrows can be seen in the Stone Age paintings in the Tassili Plateau of the Sahara. Their history dates back to 3000 BCE in numerous cultures of West Africa and the Horn of Africa. Contrary to some beliefs, cornrows aren’t a modern trend. In the Caribbean, they are known as canerrows and can be styled in either straight lines, curved patterns or intricate geometric patterns. Cornrows of Africans Pinterestįor cornrows, the hair is braided extremely close to the scalp by an underhand, upward motion to create a continuous raised row. Here, I have explored what hair and different hairstyles mean in six different cultures. In the present day, hair is mostly a symbol of self- a reflection of who we are. Communities that believe in the magical powers of amulets and charms used hair to create rain charms and for medical treatments. In other cultures, hair plays a central role in initiation and marriage ceremonies, magic rituals, mourning ceremonies and rites of passage. Some even believe a permanent link exists between the person and their chopped- off hair, and whoever gains possession of the hair can control the person. In many non- Western cultures, hair is considered as the seat of the soul and has special powers that remain even after the hair is cut. Part of the tradition and culture passed down from generation to generation are the rituals and significance revolving around hair.Īs like everything else under the sun, hair symbolism has been the subject of extensive research by anthropologists. The way we style or adorn our hair gives others a glimpse into our culture- be it the colourful flowers in India, the red ochre dye in Africa, rainforest ingredients in Brazil or the intricate hair ornaments in Japan. Much like our language, accent, clothes or facial features, our hairstyles speaks volumes of who we are. Over the years, it has evolved into a signifier of beauty, political status, religion, gender, race, culture or particular community group. Back then, hair was for warmth, protection and sometimes even for camouflage. Much like everything else, the significance of hair started from evolution. Hairstyles vary throughout history and different cultures.
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