Locks or locs are a hairstyle in which sections of hair haven’t been combed, or brushed.
Due to this, over time, the hair will become matted and knotted into itself.
History
It is difficult to establish a linear timeline of the hairstyle's origin, however, ancient scriptures and wall drawings have allowed experts to pinpoint some important points of its history.
Most historians believe that the hairstyle originated in ancient Egypt. Archaeological evidence of mummies with their locs still intact have been discovered all across the country.
However, other historians tend to lean towards the belief that locs originated in India, as early as 2,500 BCE. Interesting right? Dr. Bert Ashe, professor of English and American studies at the University of Richmond, points out in his book “Twisted: My Dreadlock Chronicles'' states that the first written evidence lies in what is no
In the book he notes that the style was referred to as “jaTaa” which means “twisted lock of hair”. Other mentions of locs also show up in the Old Testament (The Holy Bible) where Samson, an Israelite warrior, and judge, was mentioned as having locs, and when Delilah cuts them, he loses his strength.
Symbolism
Locs have been equated to be holy and a form of strength and power as well as spirituality in many different faiths. “To not comb your hair, to some, is a disregard of vanity and things of the world” states Lavette Slater, a celebrity hairstylist. This belief was very common amongst followers of the Hindu religion as well as Jainism. However, in African civilizations, it was believed that the hair was a channel for the spirit to leave the body, therefore Rastafarian’s believe that knotting the hair prevents energy from escaping, allowing them to preserve more energy in the body, which would lead to greater amounts of physical and spiritual strength.
The Influence of Haile Selassie
Rastafarianism comes from the Ethiopian emperor, Ras Tafari, also known as Haile Selassie. The hairstyle came about as a sign of respect for their god. However, locs grew to have a new meaning of resistance when Ras Tafari was forced into exile. Many of his followers then vowed to not cut their hair until the emperor was to return. After his exile from Ethiopia, Ras Tafari later settled in Jamaica, bringing the religion of Rastafarianism with him, contributing to the widespread culture of loc wearers on the island. They are also worn as a symbol of difference, but also unity. Dr. Bert Ashe claims, “At first, the hair choices of the Rasta brethren were seen as frightening to children, destabilizing to society and possibly sacrilegious”. Therefore, those who wore locs were regarded as dreadful, thus coining the term “dreadlocks”. Though this term is widely used in the West as well as in Africa and the islands, it can sometimes be disrespectful to Rasta’s.
The Whoopi Goldberg Effect
While artists such as Jean Michel Basquiat and Bob Marley who wore locs were sources of inspiration for many, it wasn’t until actress Whoopi Goldberg came on the scene in the ’80s that locs truly reached a peak in mainstream media. "It was Whoopi, beginning in 1985, who gradually gave Black Americans what might be called cultural permission to wear dreadlocks... And, she did it by establishing a context around the hairstyle that had nothing to do with Jamaica, reggae, or the Rastafari," writes Ashe. "Gradually, her enormous fame gave dreadlocks a certain odd, quirky normalcy that allowed for — or, at least, coincided with — the flourishing of the hairstyle." Following this, the 80s and the 90s acted as a golden era for locs in the mainstream, with all races and genders sporting the style. Some examples include Lauryn Hill, Boy George, Lenny Kravitz, and Busta Rhymes. Locs were regarded more as a symbol of black power in the black community rather than purely spiritual.
Today
Though many wear the hairstyle as a fashion statement now, locs are still commonly associated with all things Jamaica. "You would think that as [the style] becomes more common, it would become more Americanized and that doesn’t seem to be the case," notes Ashe. "It’s almost as if the cultural DNA of the hairstyle is Rasta, Jamaica, reggae music, and the farthest it gets from that source, it still retains some critical strands of that cultural DNA and it simply cannot be unwoven in a way that is interesting. And, I don’t know if it will remain that way, but it sure seems like it.”
Locs were originally coined as dreadful. But as culture advanced and continued to change the perspective on this natural process, mainstream media is being shown that locs can be professional, and beautiful. Hopefully, by educating ourselves and talking about locs more openly, we can help erase the stigma for those who choose to wear them.
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