There is Nothing "Dreadful" About

BEAUTIFUL LOCS!

What are locs?

Locs are rope-like strands of hair that are formed by matting. The earliest evidence of locs dates back to India in 1800BC. The first evidence of the style in Africa came around 500 BC. During the 1600-1800s, Africans who brought the style to the Americas (and other places around the globe) could not perform their regular hair grooming practices, and therefore arrived looking unkept. After traveling months on ships with no hygiene available, it's unsurprising that their hair appeared matted and locked. It's said that slave owners referred to the "dreadful" sight of the captives, thus the term "dreadlocks" and its negative association.



Why do people wear locs?

Locs have stood for a symbol of spirituality. The belief in many ancient cultures and religions was that the spirit leaves the body through the head. Through knotting, twisting, and tying the hair, many believed that they could preserve more energy in the body which would lead to greater amounts of physical and spiritual strength. Rastafarianism is most notably recognized for pursuing this belief.

Today, the explanation for many individuals wearing Locs hasn't moved so far away from its original essence. While locs may be found more in some culture than in others, it is still nonetheless, a rich multicultural symbol for identity with both a communal and personal meaning.

How to create locs

Cultivated locs can be started by coiling, braiding, twisting, or palm-rolling hair. "Locs go through a series of stages—typically five—but the forming process happens during phase two, which is called the buttoning stage," says Hunt. "They can be formed physically with: two-strand twists, interlocking, or the coil method."


Learn more about locs

Coded by: Domonique Smith