I know .. the title is overly dramatic. Probably why I liked it haha!
This is simple overview of my journey/relationship with dreadlocks. It is not prescriptive — I don’t intend any of what I experienced and/or say to be interpreted as law. Each person’s experience, from the why to the how to the how long, is very unique. This account is very descriptive in the sense that is just a description of my experience.
That out of the way, this year marks my 5th year (a bit hazy about whether it’s 5th or 6th so I’ll go with 5th) of my 2nd stint at growing/nurturing dreadlocks. My 1st stint was 7 years long and so in total, I’ve had dreadlocks for a total of 12 years. To put it in context; Damian “Junior Gong” Marley has had his locks for 22 years. I have had dreadlocks (collectively) for approximately half as long as he has.
A friend keeps asking me “Are you letting get to Damian length?” I just look back at her and smile — a loaded smile. This post is an attempt to “unload” that smile.
Sidenote .. If I hadn’t cut my locks the first time, I really believe they would be reaching my lower back. *moment of silence for what might have been*. Also Damian said once .. “Every morning she shampoos my locks ..” .. not about to make my partner have to shampoo my locks every morning. She has better things to do hahah ..
Call these the lessons I’ve learned in *drumroll* Locked: My Dreaded Journey *insert that Law & Order dramatic sound*
Dreadlocks is a patience test! My goodness — the patience you need to get the hair to actually lock is monumental. Starting out is not for the faint of heart. Sweat a little, it unlocks. A swimmer? You might have to find a work around.
It’s been said that dreadlocks are a mark of rebellion. This notion, as best as I can figure out, comes from the Mau Mau movement in Kenya who — a majority that is — had dreadlocks. So to be considered a rebel merely because of having dreadlocks is commonplace.
With the rebel tag already a foregone conclusion, it’s not uncommon to find those with dreadlocks seamlessly transition to other “rebellious” acts like getting tattoos, piercings, the arts, activism etc with little outcry — almost as if the rest of the world is like “That’s expected of him/her.”
The rebel tag reminds me of this comment I came across once
“There’s nothing dreadful about locks”
When I started my 1st stint in Locked:My Dreaded Journey, Kenya was waist deep in a battle with an outlawed violent sect called the Mungiki — these were bad hombres. look them up. A signature for them, in terms of look, was dreadlocks. So me having dreadlocks wasn’t very smart. It was literally an extreme sport to walk past the police. There were even rumors that I needed a licence to have dreadlocks. *insert eyeroll*
With dreadlocks, you present as a familiar friendly face to the outcasts of one form or other. Street children, families, beggars never bother me. Instead they salute me as if to say “You are one of us!”
I’ve been to a number of African countries and in ALL of them I’ve been called “Ras” — obviously an endearing term taken from Rastafari because dreadlocks & Rastafarianism go together like Nairobi & heavy traffic. Expect everyone to salute you with familiarity with dreadlocks — in Africa at least. :) About that ..
Also, to be asked for a lighter or weed is common and you get used to it. You can even just carry a lighter because why not :) Please don’t take offense to such requests — no one means ill with it. You can actually make friends in such weird happenstances.
While we are on that weed tip — it’s not true that it helps dreadlocks grow faster or longer. That’s all I’ll say about that :)
In Uganda, a friend who was taking us round Kampala commented after a couple of looks coming our way that “Here if you have dreadlocks you are either a musician, footballer or a Kenyan.” .. well, he at was least right on 2 accounts hahaha. It’s a common profiling — you have dreadlocks, you must be in the arts because dreadlocks and conventional professions are not common. In University, one of my lecturers made it clear from 1st lecture in 1st year that he is not too amused with my dreadlocks and my love for suits. His exact words were “Do you think that THAT hair and a suit go together?” Well, ….
Dreadlocks need TLC! It’s not a “let it grow” as it’s made to look. It needs attention and needs to be clean. Not a fan of unclean hair. Personally, I stay clear from using too much products on mine because that’s never a good idea. My TLC is simple, keep them clean and use coconut oil.
Now, the one thing that frustrates me about dreadlocks is sleeping. I literally take about 5 minutes just to “set” my locks right so they don’t invade my sleep haha. I try imagine how Damian Marley sleeps with him and I think — mine are only under shoulder blade long, his are shin long .. wow! But that’s why I am learning how to make a dreadlock bun and working a headwrap.
With dreadlocks, there are literally tens of styles to work with for men and for women and unisex, for that matter. Don’t think for a minute it’s a one mode thing. Be adventurous.
There’s also a legend about dreadlocks — black men with dreadlocks to be more specific. The legend of white women loving/infatuated with black men with dreadlocks. Well, I can neither confirm or deny this legend but I can say I have been “approached” one or 3 times *sic* :)
Like tattoos, the one overarching lesson is, if you are to do dreadlocks, do it for you and not for anyone else. Know yourself, your hair — because it doesn’t work for everyone for various reasons (profession, hair texture etc). I had an acquaintance who cut of her locks because the boyfriend didn’t like them. I almost offered myself to go beat up that guy. I’m a firm believer in sanctity of one’s body — what you do with it is yours to decide so no man or woman should dictate what you do. This goes for weaves as well, if a woman likes weaves, I will defend her right to have it. I think men who dictate such are just projecting their own issues. Let people be beautiful, feel beautiful. If they choose otherwise, let it be out of their own accord.
I digress! sigh!
Locked: My Dreaded Journey is unique for everyone walking, treading on this journey. But one thing always seems to be common — a little thing that makes me smile. That is some form of kinship among the dreadlocked. I can meet a person i have never known with dreadlocks but there will be something of a nod of acknowledgment that in a way speaks words that only we understand saying
“We are Locked together in this Dreaded Journey.”
