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The culture
LOC
HISTORY
The precise date of the origin of locs is unknown, but early historical references to this style range from 5000 BC to 1500 BC.
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The first solid evidence of dreadlocks emerges from ancient Egypt where hieroglyphics and ancient drawings reveal depictions of figures with dread-locked hair.
Archaeologists have recovered mummies that also show evidence of dreadlocks.
THE
HAMAR TRIBE
Hamar tribe consists of excellent herders, breeders of cows, sheep and goats. At the same time, Hamar women are engaged in the cultivation of small fields growing maize, sorghum and pumpkin.
Hairstyles are another thing that sets Hamar apart from other tribes and designs of male and female hairstyles in this tribe vary. Women have quite a long hair from which they form thin dreadlocks with the help of clay and fat, men partially shave their skulls and braid their hair in small braids adjacent to the skull, covering them with a layer of clay and fat and thus forming some kind of caps, which they decorate with bird feathers and beads.
THE HIMBA TRIBE
The Himba people are indigenous to northern Namibia and parts of Angola. This ancient civilization primarily breed livestock and cultivate their staples (maize and millet) during the rainy season.
The Himba adorn themselves with intricate hand-made pieces and calf-skin skirts. The women adorn hairstyles based on their status in life, with married women as primary wearers of medium-sized locs.
Grooming is an essential part of Himba life where women tend to their locs and maintain the protective style with red clay soil.
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THE HINDU SADHUS
The Sadhus of India are renowned Hindu holy men and devotees of the Gods Shiva or Vishnu.
Sadhus are yogis that dedicate their existence to a lifelong spiritual journey towards enlightenment and liberation through meditation and observance of Brahman
(Universal Reality)
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Their belief-system governor their daily lives where they live a life of scarcity and freedom from material constraints.
Sadhus grow long locs referred to as “jataa” as part of their spiritual practice. Their locs to many observers, denote a connection to the spiritual realm and
powerful abilities.
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THE
RASTAFARIANS
Locs in modern times are mostly associated with the Rastafarian movement. When the Rasta movement emerged in the 1930’s after the crowning of Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, the hairstyle became a global phenomenon.
Locs have since been associated with reggae music, and became known worldwide by Loc’d Artists such Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, John Holt and Buju Banton (to name a few).
Today, whether one “locs” their hair for spiritual reasons or as a fashion trend, locs are here to stay!
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