Have you ever seen someone with beautiful braids that lay close to their scalp? Oftentimes these braids can be decorated with shells and other types of beads. If you know what I'm talking about, then you have seen "cornrows." Originally from Africa, cornrows are known for their low-maintenance regime, and the style is popular on men and women alike.

During the ''Black Power Movement'' of the early 1970s, cornrows became a staple of our popular culture. This period of time left many women proud to sport their natural hair, for they no longer felt insecure when leaving home without their hair styled. During this time we were also introduced to other African American hairstyles, including the afro. People loved cornrows because of their low-maintenance regime and intricate patterns and styles.

Cornrows have represented many different attributes in pre-slavery times including kinship, religion, age, status, ethnicity, and more.

Here are some fun and interesting facts you might not have known about cornrows:

1. Before the ''Black Power Movement,'' women feared being seen in public with unstraightened hair. Some people believe that Cicely Tyson, who stared in the East Side/West Side television show in the 1960s, sparked the end of the unstraightened hair trend when she appeared onscreen wearing cornrows.

2. With proper care and maintenance, cornrows can look beautiful for about two to four weeks. However, keeping them longer may result in the hair becoming locked or matted.

3. Cornrows have been disputed in the workplace for several years due to their ''unprofessional appearance.'' Some employers have completely prohibited the style while others have simply stressed their disapproval.

4. There are several different designs for cornrows, but the most popular is the ''straight back'' design. This consists of braids laying flat in a back to front direction. However, the design can literally be manipulated thousands of different ways, resulting in many different styles. Very intricate styles like the zig-zag can take up to 13 hours to finish.

Since everyone's body is different, the maintenance of cornrows varies from person to person. However, there are some general ideas to keep in mind if you're thinking about having this style done on your hair. For instance, cornrows can damage the hair if not completed correctly, so make sure your stylist is experienced. Also, cornrows that are braided too tightly can pull the hair out from the roots, mainly around the edges.

To wash cornrows, use only a dry shampoo or a mild astringent on the scalp. Using a regular shampoo will cause your cornrows to unravel. Daily wear of your cornrows could result in stray hairs popping out from the braid. If this happens use a little gel or sheen oil spray, and rub over the length of the braid. This should keep the stray hairs down. Also, before going to bed, wrap your hair with a silk scarf. This keeps your style protected while you move around during sleep.

The next time you see someone sporting a set of cornrows, think about the origin of the style. Cornrows are popular on everyone from young children to adult men. You just never know who you'll see sporting cornrows next.