Chic African Culture Blog

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. African tech startups raise billions of dollars annually, seven African start-ups were included in the World Economic Forum 2021 cohort of 100 Technology Pioneers.

Red Carpet Cornrows | How to braid simple cornrow hairstyles

Red Carpet Cornrows

Braids are making appearances both on and off the red carpet but braids are nothing new. Cornrows are a traditional African style of hairstyle dating back thousands of years where the hair is braided to the scalp. Learn how to braid red carpet cornrows hairstyles.

Cornrow hair good vibes

Red Carpet Cornrows | How to braid simple cornrow hairstyles

The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows. There are countless traditional cornrow African styles, ranging from intricate turns and coils to the simple line style.

How to braid a simple cornrow hairstyle

The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows.


Note: If you are cornrowing the hair needs to be detangled with water or a leave-in conditioner in order to create neat cornrows.

1.   Uses a comb to create the size section you want, smaller sections will make smaller rows of cornrows, and larger sections will produce bigger cornrows.

2.   Divide the hair section into three equal parts.

3.   Begin to braid the small section of hair.

4.   As you continue to braid the hair, add hair from the section you are braiding into the cornrow. Add hair evenly for a uniform look.

5.   Continue to braid the section of hair, adding more hair into the cornrow as you work your way toward the end making sure pull your fingers through the hair to detangle.

Cornrow Braiding Originated in Africa

Cornrows are a traditional African style of hairstyle dating back thousands of years where the hair is braided to the scalp.

Cornrow hairstyles in Africa also cover a wide social terrain: religion, kinship, status, age, ethnicity, and other attributes of identity are expressed in hairstyle.   

As Peters, J. C. stated in Braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, and hair wraps An African continuum, "Hieroglyphs and sculptures dating back thousands of years illustrate the attention Africans have paid to their hair. Braids were etched into the back of the head of the majestic sphinx."

Today, fishtail braids create a beautiful bohemian vibe rocked by festival goers and outdoor music concerts worldwide. The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows. French, Dutch and Swiss braids all have their roots in Africa.

More commentary about Africa

Now you know how to braid simple cornrow hairstyles and facts about African cornrow hairstyles. Cornrow hairstyle dates back to prehistoric Africa cornrow styles are still popular in modern today.

With cornrows, the hair is braided very close to the scalp to produce a raised row. In America, the term cornrows are used because they are reminiscent of rows of corn in cornfields. In the Caribbean, cornrows are known as canerows indicative of rows of sugarcane in sugarcane fields.

  With nimble fingers a young teenage girl, cornrows the hair of her sister in the village of Cestos in Rivercess County Liberia.


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


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Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet are dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing African history and heritage celebrating 14 years of service in 2021. Share and support in the pride of being part of an important cultural and educational resource.


Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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