Roots & Culture

Whaa Gwaan People,
(What's going on people),

  Well, I'm back.  I was missing for a few days, had a few things to take care of.  Hope you missed me liked I missed you.  Got some information that I think a few people would like to know.  If you wear dreadlocks, or know somebody that does, here are some righteous information that you might like to have.

  In Jamaica, the term dreadlocks was first recorded in the 1950s as a term for the "Young Black Faith", an early sect of the Rastafari which began among the marginalized poor of Jamaica in the 1930s, when they chose to copy the particular hairstyle of Haile Selassie the First of Ethiopia, and began to wear dreadlocks instead. it was said that the wearer had a "dread" life or a life in which he feared God, which gave birth to the modern name 'dreadlocks' for this ancient style. it has also said that the dreadlocks was also worn by ex-slaves as a mean of rebellion against the Euro-centrism.

  Most Jamaican reggae artist are known for wearing dreadlocks, but in the 1970s, when reggae became more popular abroad, the hairstyle was adopted more widely by different nations and cultures, after it was more fashionable to wear that style of hair.  It became a fashion statement for well-known authors, actors, singers, and even in some religion settings.

  Dreadlocks is also known to represent strength.  It is associated with the mane of a lion, more popular known in Rastafarian culture as the Lion of Judah.  The wearing of this hairstyle is more than a fashion statement to the person who calls himself a true Rastafarian.  Along with the hair, this way of life includes a strict diet of mostly vegetable, definitely no pork, or salt. The children are raised in an environment that nurtures the culture and the belief of the Rastafarian way of life.  

  There are many things that we do to our body that is done as a fashion statement but maybe the next time, we choose to lock our hair or pierce a certain part of our body, we should look for the true meaning behind it. Until then my people, 

Nuff Respect