MYSTERY BEHIND DREADLOCKS

 

By Iloh Mmesoma

 Dreadlock popularly known as “Dada” in Nigeria has however brought about conflict of ideas overtime due to diversifications in opinions, views, religions and culture of several people in its regards. Dreadlocks today is rocked by almost everyone contrary to the original superstitious and fetish belief attached to it.

The term dreadlocks was first recorded in the 1950s as a derogatory term when the "Young Black Faith", an early sect of the Rastafarians which began among the marginalized poor of Jamaica in the 1930s, ceased to copy the particular hair style of Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and began to wear locks instead. It was said that they looked 'dreadful' with their locks, which gave birth to the modern name 'dreadlocks' for this ancient style.

Different theories exist about the origin of Rastalocks, some sources trace Rastalocks back to Indians who arrived in Jamaica to work as indentured labourers in the late 19th century, some of whom were among the first followers of Leonard Howell. Others believe the first Rasta dreadlocks were derived from the "dreaded locks" of the Mau Mau largely Kikuyu protonationalist insurgency against British colonialism in 1940s Kenya.

Other claims of dreadlocks evolution include the Indians, the Nazarite and even the Ethiopians thus making it a subject of societal interest and global significance. There is thus no definite origination even though most people are of opinion that the Jamaican Rastafarians are the founding fathers.

Most dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks, such as backcombing.

The popular method of growing dreadlock known as “neglect” method is done by leaving long hair to grow naturally and not brushing or cutting the hair encourages it to tangle together as it grows, leading to twisted, matted ropes of hair known as dreadlocks.

Dreadlock globally is seen as a spiritual symbolism that physical appearance is of little or no importance. A shaved head is the counter-part for dreadlock owing reason to symbolizing total submission, ritual cleanliness and humility while the dreadlocks disregard such belief.

Dreadlocks are more than just a symbolic statement of disregard for physical appearance. Both Eastern and Western Traditions hold that bodily, mental and spiritual energies mainly exit the body through the top of the head and the hair. If the hair is knotted, they believe, the energy remains within the hair and the body, keeping a person more strong and healthy.

Rastas wear dreadlocks because they do not believe in cutting or combing their hair. This comes from a passage in the Bible. It is also the way some ancient African priests and Israelites wore their hair. A typical example from Western tradition is biblical Samson, whose unimaginable strength was lost when Delilah shaved off his *seven* locks of hair.

New-generation Rastafarians are however of the opinion that locked hair came, originally, from Africa, but any knowledge beyond the continent that locks came from is unknown.  old-generation Rastafarians hold great pride in their natural hair and see it as a symbol of their fight against Babylon, non-violence, non-conformity, communalism and solidarity, and as a heavy spiritual statement, many new-generation Rastas and other individuals see dreads as a passport to smoking ganja and listening to Reggae music, not understanding the real Rastafarian culture and values.

Rastafarians were recorded to have shunned everything from Babylon, such as soda, alcohol and cigarettes, modern Rastas are often seen smoking, wearing designer clothing, eating meat and drinking beer, but today dreads has become more of a status symbol than a spiritual decision, and so people begin locking their hair so that they are seen as conscious, afro centric, or different, rather than for honest spiritual and conscious reasons.

In classical India, all students on the spiritual path were directly enjoined by their scriptures to develop Dreadlocks as a means to detach them from physical vanity and aid them in the development of bodily strength and supernatural mental and spiritual powers.

When reggae music gained popularity and mainstream acceptance in the 1970s, dreadlocks became a notable fashion statement; they were worn by prominent authors, actors, athletes and rappers, and were even portrayed as part of gang culture in such movies as Dreadlocks story.

Popular Singer, Bob Marley who identified himself as a Rastafarian can be said to have brought the dreadlocks lifestyle into the mainstream where it has expanded in too many subcultures. They have become especially popular among New Age travellers (Pagans, especially, who travel from festival to festival across the country), hippies, vegans, Goths, and cyber Goths.

Dreadlocks can also be worn to as a symbol of rejection of government-controlled, mass-merchandising culture or to fit in with the people and crowd they want to be a part of (such as those who are fans of reggae music).

Additionally, dreadlocks have become highly popular among the subculture of jam bands, such as the Grateful Dead and Phish. Dreadlocks carriers today have varied reasons for choosing to wear it. Some of them are based in spiritual purposes such as suggested above, others because they identify as Rastas and others simply because they love the look.