Cornrows is a hairstyle featuring long, one-strand plaits formed into rows that are secured by braiding them together. Popularized as an African-American hairstyle and initially worn by slaves to denote their enslaved status, cornrows were adopted as an alternative style in the 20th century among urban African Americans who desired a more European appearance.
Cornrows may be formed by braiding, interlocking, or braiding hair that has been relaxed or permed. Cornrows are generally worn close to the scalp, with the individual strands pulled very tight. Afros puff up when their component strands are loosened. The oldest known record of cornrows is a sculpture estimated to be about 3,500 years old, depicting a man from what is now Syria wearing this hairstyle.