Cornrows (sometimes called canerows) are a style of traditionally three-strand braids, originating in Africa, in which the hair is braided very close to the scalp, using an underhand, upward motion to make a continuous, raised row.

In preparation for a journey through the Middle Passage, (the eighty-day voyage that transported captured Africans across the Atlantic to America), many African women would even braid rice or other grains into their hair or their children's hair to ensure that they would have food.

According to historians black people use their hair to identify their tribes, marital status, social status and to protect their natural hair. Most importantly, braids were used by enslaved black people to plan escape routes and even to hide food for their children as they were forcibly separated forever.

Protection: Braiding helps protect your hair from environmental damage such as pollution, sun exposure, and harsh weather conditions. By keeping the hair secure and tucking the ends away, braids can help reduce split.