We are dedicated to revolutionizing hair care with our plant-based braiding hair. Learn about our journey from personal struggles to sustainable beauty.We are dedicated to revolutionizing hair care with our plant-based braiding hair. Learn about our journey from personal struggles to sustainable beauty.
The Health Story
In 2021, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the treatments took hold, so did the side effects – one of the most visible being the loss of my hair. For many, it’s just hair. But for me, like for many Black women, it was tied to identity, confidence, and culture.
When my hair began to grow back, I wanted to return to the braids I’d always loved. But something had shifted. My body had changed, and so had my priorities. I couldn’t bring myself to use traditional braiding hair – most of which is made from synthetic plastic fibres that irritated my scalp and didn’t align with my new, health-conscious lifestyle.
So I began searching for something better. Something natural, breathable, and safe. That search led me to banana fibre – a soft, plant-based material known for its durability and gentleness.
The Heritage Story
But this brand isn’t just about healthier hair – it’s about deeper roots. As a British-born woman to Jamaican parents, I’ve always carried my culture proudly. In our home, we never said “cornrows” – we said “canerows.” It was more than slang; it was a reflection of who we are. Canerows originated in Africa, where they were more than just a hairstyle – they were a language. The braiding patterns held stories, signified tribe or marital status, and even mapped escape routes during slavery.
To braid is to remember. To protect. To honour.
The Canerow Company is a love letter to all of that – to healing, heritage, and the hope of a healthier future for our hair and our planet.
The History of hair
What many know as “cornrows” are called “canerows” in Caribbean culture — and the difference is deeper than just pronunciation.
Canerow reflects the legacy of our African ancestors who braided hair in rows that resembled the neatly ploughed cane fields of the Caribbean plantations.
During the Transatlantic Slave Trade enslaved Africans continued braiding traditions, often as a form of resistance and cultural preservation. Cornrows were practical — they protected hair and required little maintenance. Some enslaved people even used cornrow patterns as maps or coded messages to plan escapes or communicate safe routes (e.g., to freedom via the Underground Railroad).
The term holds strong cultural and historical meaning tied to both resistance and resilience.
On the other hand, cornrow is the more commonly used American term, referencing rows of corn. While widely recognized, it doesn’t carry the same Caribbean-rooted symbolism.
The Hair Story
The hair story revolution has begun.
We are dedicated to revolutionizing hair care with our plant-based braiding hair. Learn about our journey from personal struggles to sustainable beauty.We are dedicated to revolutionizing hair care with our plant-based braiding hair. Learn about our journey from personal struggles to sustainable beauty.
The Health Story
In 2021, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the treatments took hold, so did the side effects – one of the most visible being the loss of my hair. For many, it’s just hair. But for me, like for many Black women, it was tied to identity, confidence, and culture.
When my hair began to grow back, I wanted to return to the braids I’d always loved. But something had shifted. My body had changed, and so had my priorities. I couldn’t bring myself to use traditional braiding hair – most of which is made from synthetic plastic fibres that irritated my scalp and didn’t align with my new, health-conscious lifestyle.
So I began searching for something better. Something natural, breathable, and safe. That search led me to banana fibre – a soft, plant-based material known for its durability and gentleness.
The Heritage Story
But this brand isn’t just about healthier hair – it’s about deeper roots. As a British-born woman to Jamaican parents, I’ve always carried my culture proudly. In our home, we never said “cornrows” – we said “canerows.” It was more than slang; it was a reflection of who we are. Canerows originated in Africa, where they were more than just a hairstyle – they were a language. The braiding patterns held stories, signified tribe or marital status, and even mapped escape routes during slavery.
To braid is to remember. To protect. To honour.
The Canerow Company is a love letter to all of that – to healing, heritage, and the hope of a healthier future for our hair and our planet.
The History of hair
What many know as “cornrows” are called “canerows” in Caribbean culture — and the difference is deeper than just pronunciation.
Canerow reflects the legacy of our African ancestors who braided hair in rows that resembled the neatly ploughed cane fields of the Caribbean plantations.
During the Transatlantic Slave Trade enslaved Africans continued braiding traditions, often as a form of resistance and cultural preservation. Cornrows were practical — they protected hair and required little maintenance. Some enslaved people even used cornrow patterns as maps or coded messages to plan escapes or communicate safe routes (e.g., to freedom via the Underground Railroad).
The term holds strong cultural and historical meaning tied to both resistance and resilience.
On the other hand, cornrow is the more commonly used American term, referencing rows of corn. While widely recognized, it doesn’t carry the same Caribbean-rooted symbolism.