However, while Rastafarians gave birth to the term “dreadlocks,” the hairstyle itself originates long before the religion was conceived. A study led by professors at the University of Nigeria names the yogis and Indian sages as the original inventors of dreadlocks.
In ancient Greece for example, some of the earliest depictions of dreads date back to 3600 BC. Indeed, frescoes uncovered in Crete, birthplace of the Minoan civilization, and in Thera (modern-day Santorini) show individuals with long braided hairstyles.
The first people to wear dreads were probably cavemen. We researched the first evidence of the use of dreadlocks: The first piece of written evidence dates back to 1500BC; it is brought to us by the ancient holy Hindu texts called the “Vedas”.
Contrary to popular belief, Jamaicans didn't invent dreadlocks. In fact, dreadlocks can be traced to nearly every civilization across history. No matter the race, there have been spiritual connections to dreadlocks.
Dreadlocks are not unique to Jamaica and Rastafarians. The dreadlocks hairstyle originated in Africa and was worn by various tribes there. The earliest tribe this hairstyle can be attributed to is the Masai tribesmen of Kenya. Many of the warriors of this tribe wore this hairstyle.
Dreadlocks have a long history in Africa. Victoria Sherrow, the author of the Encyclopedia of Hair, A Cultural History 1, named the priests of the Ethiopian Coptic Orthodox Church as some of the first people to have sported dreadlocks in Africa, as early as 500 BCE.
Rasta Prayer Recited before the Smoking Ceremony. SImple prayer "Glory to the father and to the maker of creation..." Praises Jah Rastafari, Selassie I. Great gift for a reggae fan or for the next trip to Negril Jamaica.
Given dreadlocks' rich history, it's hard for one group to claim them, said Feminista Jones, writer, speaker and former wearer of locks. “Sure, white people can wear locs,” she said in an email. “For some, they have religious or spiritual meaning. For others, it's just a hairstyle.
Dreadlocks are not just for style.
According to Old Testament scripture (Leviticus 19:27), Rastas believe one should not cut their hair because it is where their strength lies. Dreadlocks form naturally over time.
Rastas emphasise what they regard as living "naturally", adhering to ital dietary requirements, wearing their hair in dreadlocks, and following patriarchal gender roles. Rastafari originated among impoverished and socially disenfranchised Afro-Jamaican communities in 1930s Jamaica.
The short answer for this is: no, dreadlocks are not harmful for your hair, provided that they have been installed the right way and providing that you have healthy hair!
We may never know for sure, but plenty of evidence suggests that both Viking men and women sported this popular ancient hairstyle. Norse dreadlocks were practical and enhanced their fierce, rugged, and bold look, making them a force to be reckoned with.
Since there is no evidence to make a clear conclusion either way, the most likely conclusion is that some vikings might have had dreadlocks, but it seem unlikely that it was common. Vikings were individuals, and some might have found the dreads to be practical or just cool.
Because dreadlocks are matted hair, they have the potential to trap odors more than other hairstyles. However, that doesn't mean that dreads always smell bad (or that your locs are doomed to smell bad at one point). If you don't properly care for your dreads, then you could end up with locs that smell bad.
Whatever their initial origin, it is without debate that dreadlocks in the modern-day are synonymous with Rastafarianism. However for Rastas, dreadlocks are much more than just a hairstyle. They represent a connection to Africa and a rejection of the West, which they term Babylon.
A tenet of Rastafari that has to do with sex without the use of prophylactics is also strongly articulated in Puerto Viejo, where women continually have to negotiate condom use when in engaging in sexual activity with some of the local men.
Calling someone a Rasta is not necessarily offensive, but what this user's concern highlights is that, if these complaints are anything to go by, the British multicultural dream has yet to be fulfilled.
The women in Rastafari are normally referred to as Queens. Many of the Rastafarian marriages are informal (common law).
Washing, moisturizing, and protecting your dreads will ensure your hair grows well and stays healthy. You will want to regularly (every two to three weeks) wash and detox hair to remove any products, oil, or debris trapped in the strands and scalp.
Finding bed bugs in your hair is particularly unlikely. While lice and ticks have claws that are designed to help them navigate through hair, bed bugs don't. Their front claws actually need to be set in a certain way before they begin feeding, which is hard enough to do without hair getting in the way.
As your dreads mature, you don't have to worry about lots of fluffing and re-dreading, so feel free to wash your dreads as frequently as you wish. No matter the age of your dreads, it's important not to go longer than about a week without washing.
Babylon is also sometimes used by some Rastas with the more specific meaning of "police", insofar as they are seen as executive agents of Babylon's will. In a more general sense, it is used to refer to the powers that be, any system that oppresses or discriminates against any peoples.
Yes, Rastafarians can smoke weed legally in the UK. In fact, the UK has some of the most relaxed laws around marijuana use in Europe. Possession of small amounts of cannabis is not a criminal offence in the UK, and Rastafarians are able to use cannabis for religious purposes.
Although it is possible to be a 'cleanface, baldhead' Rasta, most Rastafarians follow the Nazarites in that they do not use combs or razors (hence beard and dreadlocks) and do not practise any sort of body piercing or tattooing.