One of several
protective methods used to prevent breakage of kinky, nappy, tightly curled or coily hair. These braiding techniques were brought to the New World by African slaves and knowledge of these traditions were passed from generation to generation whereever black Africans were enslaved.
Traditionally these hairstyles were only used by women and
little girls. Presently cornrows are a non-gender specific style used for
convenience and protection of kinky hair.