What Is the Meaning of Dreadlock?

Dreadlocks are easy to care for and have a striking appearance. This hairstyle has been around since ancient times and is still popular today.

Identification

Dreadlocks are twisted "locks" of matted hair that has grown together over time. They look like thick tubes of hair and vary in length.

Origin of Name

Perhaps the most common modern association with dreadlocks is the Rastafari movement. When the Rasta movement rose up in the 1950s, the hairstyle was referred to as "dreadful," and here arose the first usage of the term. Rastafarians also take the Biblical Nazarite vow, which involves never cutting their hair . Dreadlocks are often also associated with reggae music, as they were worn by the great reggae star Bob Marley.

Methods for Growing

There are many ways to achieve this hairstyle. According to www.howtodread.com, the best way to dread hair is the backcombing method, which involves sectioning of the hair inch by inch, teasing it backwards to the root, and then waxing and rolling the hair to create the locks. Other methods include twist and rip, twist and pin, twisting, brush rubbing, dread braiding and neglect. Contrary to popular belief, and discussed in greater detail at howtodread.com, it is not the case that one must simply not wash their hair to grow dreadlocks. This is the neglect method, which is only one of many ways to grow dreadlocks.

History

According to the online encyclopedia article on the History of Dreadlocks, the precise date of origin of the hairstyle is unknown. Dates range from 5000 BCE to 1500 BCE. The first solid evidence of dreadlocks comes from ancient Egypt, and there are many depictions of figures with dreadlocked hair. Archaeologists have recovered mummies that also show evidence of dreadlocks

Dreadlocks in Contemporary Times

Dreadlocks remain popular today, particularly in African-American and Jamaican cultures. Many hair salons offer dreadlock services, and there are many hair products available to simplify the dreadlock process.

References

• Howtodread.com, "Dreadlocks"
• Experiencefestival.com, "History of Dreadlocks"
• Butterflytribe.com, "History of Dreadlocks"

Resources

• Jamaicans.com, "The Dreadlocks Hairstyle"