Scavenger Hunt: The History of Corn Row Braids

Compassion Scavenger Hunt

 

Assignment: 

Take a photo of a braided hair.

 

Reason:

Braided hair is common in the countries where we work.  Hair styling is also a

vocational skill often taught to teens in our sponsorship program.

 

 

I didn't think I would be submitting an entry for braided hair in this contest.  But tonight while we were at my daughter's gymnastics class I saw this cute little girl with her hair beautifully braided.  My daughter thought it was strange that I asked to take a picture, but I was able to tell the mother all about Compassion International and why I wanted to take the picture!

 

Just for fun I googled the history of hair braiding while I was waiting for her class to finish.  Here's some interesting information on it's history:  (Sources:  Here and Here) 

 

Origins of Hair Braiding

• Cornrow braiding can be traced to ancient African societies as far as 6th Century B.C. Sculptures and hieroglyphics were made to depict gods and people with cornrows.. In Africa historically braids could be used as a way to express religion, kinship, status, age and ethnicity, among other attributes.  The act of cornrow braiding displays a bond between a mother teaching her child to braid -- and this passes through generations.

Braids and Slavery

• 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.   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

• In the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, natural hair became increasingly popular and cornrow braiding was again sought after. Beauty shops specializing in braiding were established and voyages to Africa for first-hand teaching from African natives were taken.  Now it serves as a legitimate occupation for braiders who make a living from their talent such as working in hair salons or in cosmetology schools as instructors.