Celts, Vikings & monks
Roman accounts state that the Celts wore their hair ‘like snakes’ and the Vikings were also known to wear their hair in dreadlocks.
Dreadlocks have been worn by many religions and cultures, including the monks of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Nazarites of Judiasm, Qalandri’s Sufi’s, the Sadhu’s of Hinduism, and the Dervishes of Islama and there are even strong suggestions that many early Christians wore dreadlocks.
It is thought that Sampson who was said to have seven locks of hair which gave him his inhuman strength.
india & egypt
There are some that believe dreadlocks originated in India with the dreadlocked diety Shiva and his followers. It may be that this is the spirituality origin of dreadlocks in Indian culture.
Despite this, the first archeological proof of people wearing dreadlocks came from Egypt. Mummies have been recovered with their dreadlocks still in tact! How amazing is that?!
rastas
The most common comment when you mention Dreadlocks, is that of Bob Marley and Rastas. Before it got the name ‘Rastafari’ its followers called themselves ‘dreads’, signifying their ‘dread’ and respect for God.
In an attempt to emulate the Nazarites and Hindu holymen their beliefs were modelled after, they began to wear their hair in matted styles and this is when the term ‘dreadlocks’ came into common use.
all inclusive
We all have varied reasons for choosing to wear our hair in dreads today. Some people because of spiritual purposes, others because they identify as Rastas, and others simply because they love the look!
Dreadlocks are all inclusive and you do not have to fit into a stereotype to have them. You don’t have to be religious and you can have different views.
There is one thing you will find when you get them… you become part of an amazing community, no matter of your path, past or beliefs.
