Origins of Hair Braiding

A clay sculpture from the ancient Nok civilization of Nigeria circa 500 B.C. shows a figure adorned with cornrows. In Africa historically braids could be used as a way to express religion, kinship, status, age and ethnicity, among other attributes. 

When the people of Africa were brought to the New World as slaves, they were initially confronted with a loss of identify. As they traversed the Middle Passage–or the voyage by ship from Africa to America–their heads were often shaved for sanitary reasons. But their hair grew back, and with it so did the culture.

Braids and #Slavery

In slavery, many Africans brought back the braids both as a way to stay connected to their heritage and to assert their independence. The style also fit with the requirement that their hair be neat and tidy while working on plantations. But it was not without improvisation. They didn’t have the combs and herbal treatments traditionally used in Africa, so the slaves relied on bacon grease, butter and kerosene to clean and condition their hair.

After the Civil War

At the time when slavery was abolished, #black women in America tended toward straightening their hair. Though they were free, these women still needed to strive to fit in and “good” hair was one way to to do it. The women with straight hair, like white women, were considered well-adjusted and were more accepted.At the same time, however, many younger girls were able to carry on the cornrow tradition.