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Here's Why Cornrows Are For Black Women

Often imitated, never duplicated.

Posted on October 16, 2016, 12:01 GMT

Essence Gant

BuzzFeed Staff

1. Cornrows: a hairstyle in which hair is braided down into rows and patterns.

Instagram — Instagram: @crowezilla

2. In recent years, they've made their way into mainstream culture, thanks to famous non-black people whose stardom is largely due to cultural appropriation.

3. But long before mainstream media renamed them boxer braids, cornrows were—and still are—a popular protective hairstyle for black people.

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4. And no matter how hard other people try to recreate the 'do, it just never looks as fresh as it does on the originator!

5. See, only a certain texture is strong enough to carry the weight of these braids.

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6. And only a certain goddess can swing them with such swag and grace.

7. There's an ART to these perfectly clean parts and laid edges.

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8. One's cornrows don't simply get into this kind of formation on their own. There's a science to it.

9. This star required some supernatural precision, guys.

10. Notice how there is not one 👏 single 👏 strand 👏 out 👏 of 👏 PLACE 👏.

11. And it's critically important that you take note of the motion, the fluidity of these winding rows.

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12. Cornrows are effortlessly regal, a reflection of the queens who rock them.

13. And there's no limit to their movement or design...

14. Or the heights they can reach.

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15. They are simple...

16. And they are complex.

17. Cornrows are beautiful and magical in every way!

BLESSED ARE THE QUEENS WHO CRAFT AND WEAR THEM ❤️.

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