Do you know braids were helpful to escaping slavery??? by Paobshg

The tradition of cornrows styling has become popular in Africa, in the West and East Africa. During the transatlantic slave trade, slaves were forced to shave their hair, so they could be cleaner and run away from their culture and identity. Not all of them shaved their hair, as some braided their hair tightly so that they could achieve the purpose of neatness. The curve braids represented some particular roads which helped them to escape. Corn rows also known as “cane rows” where used as a method of resistance and communication during slavery. BENKO Biohô from the Bissau island that is now Guinea Bissau was an escaped slave and leader in Northern Columbia credited with the devising of the use of corn rows to create maps and messages discreetly among slaves. Different styles and patterns in corn rows acted as a code to convey messages about escape plans, meeting points, and other crucial information. Slaves would also hide small items like seeds and gold in their cornrows to survive.