How braids shape culture over centuries

BOWLING GREEN, KY.- For centuries, braids have been rooted in African history and used for communication, survival, and cultural identity among enslaved people.

“It assumes a different meaning, but here it is important,” Andrew Rosa, an Associate professor at WKU, said. “It has a lot to do with social stratification in West Africa, and this kind of and within the context of the Americas, especially the development of racist slavery, here was a way in which enslaved people could express their individuality within a system that denied them personhood or any individual.”

Braids started as cornrows with codes for enslaved Africans to escape slavery, but today braids are worn with bold designs, art, and self-expression.

“I started braiding hair when I was about 5 or 6 years old,” Jewel Jordan, the owner of Braids by Jewel, said. “It’s just been a passion of mine. And I feel like I make people feel confident. A lot of kids and grown-ups are natural nowadays, putting braids in people’s hair is a confidence builder.”

Braiding hair dates back thousands of years, and many say keeping the tradition alive is about honoring culture and history.

“I think it’s important to keep it alive because it’s our culture, and you’re able to pay respect to people who wore braids back in the day,” Jordan said.