The Cultural History of Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are one of the few hairstyles that have always felt unique to the black community. For thousands of years, the black community has been shunned for their thick coarse hair, so when a hairstyle as popular, fresh, and afro-centric as dreadlocks come along it must be cherished, even when white, professional America deems it as unprofessional.
Dreadlocks will forever be a cultural statement for the black community, but when and where did these iconic hairstyles come from?
Where do they come from?
There is not one specific place that dreadlocks come from. Any region with people of African descent or thick, coarse hair has dreadlocks in their community. Early discoveries of dreadlocks have come from places in India, and Egypt. The dreadlocked deity Shiva had a significant impact on Indian culture and was an inspiration for millions of people that practiced Hinduism. Shiva is the 3rd god in the religion of Hinduism, physically described by his male body and female face, and of coarse his beautiful long dreads.
In Egypt, there are findings of ancient mummies with dreadlocks and art that featured dreadlocked humans. In fact, some mummies have been discovered with their dreadlocks still intact connected to the skull of the mummy. Basically dreadlocks have been around since the beginning of man and most often are represented on powerful beings.
Why did early humans get dreadlocks?
Long hair in ancient history represented age and wisdom. Many elderly people would have long hair.
Within black culture, dreads and heavy styles like braids are the only way to grow your hair downwards otherwise your hair would stick right up, like an afro. Dreadlocks have always been a popular choice for people of color that want to have long hair.
Dreadlocks in ancient times were said to hold power. With dreadlocks, you are interlocking everything in your hair together. Ancient humans believed hair held energy and locking it up into dreadlocks would hold and increase your overall energy, mentally and physically.
There is a story about a man who held power in his dreadlocks. In ancient Egypt, a very strong and physically able man was known all across his town for his strength and superiority. He also had very long dreadlocks. One day the man decided to cut all of his dreadlocks off. Suddenly the man was no longer strong. He could no longer lift what he was once able to lift, but he still had the same size muscles and body. The man very quickly became a disappointment to his town and swore he would never cut his hair again.
Dreadlocks are healthy!
Although current science will probably prove this to be wrong, it was believed that dreadlocks were the most natural healthy hairstyle for colored people. With thick coarse hair, if you restrain from picking or combing your hair, the hair will naturally begin to lock together.
There is no doubt dreadlocks are natural, in order to get long strands of hair it just takes a little manipulation. Dreadlocks in its entirety though can be maintenance-free hairstyles. They also hold in lots of moisture, water making them able to be healthy without constant care.
Dreadlocks and marijuana
Dreadlocks and marijuana go way back to a man named Ras Tafari. Ras Tafari was an Indian man that started the Rastafari movement, which was a religious movement. He also had nice long dreads. He had a style of religion that many black Jamaicans wanted to follow. In support, they grew out dreadlocks just like Ras Tafari. Ras Tafari was crowned emperor of Ethiopia in 1930 and soon later was forced into exile for wrongdoings. His supporters refused to cut their hair until Ras Tafari was free. Ras Tafari was also a heavy marijuana smoker. He believed it cleared the mind and allowed clean thinking. Thus resulting in Black Jamaican dread head culture being pro-marijuana. Leading to icons like the famous Bob Marley.
Dreadlocks in the present!
Dreadlocks now don’t exactly carry the same beliefs as ancient Egyptian times, but still represent our ancestors from the past.
In today’s age, many black dread heads go to dreads for uniqueness and expression. Dreads are very popular among youth in retaliation of the beliefs of the old working-class society. Like I said earlier In the corporate world, dreadlocks are frowned upon. They’re seen as unprofessional and wild. 80s hipsters and influential musicians (rappers) have given dreads an identity for people trying to go against the normal. Almost like a big Fuck you to society and they’re standards. Still though as time goes on dreads are becoming more and more accepted into corporate America, and still somehow keep their cultural meaning.
Whether your white, black, tall, short, nice, mean. Anyone can have dreadlocks and make them look unique. Even though dreadlocks are originated from people of color I think everyone should be able to enjoy the gift that is dreadlocks. They have always been a style that looks unique to each person, which makes them a timeless hairstyle.
