DREADLOCKS

Dreadlocks are locks of hair that are formed from the union of many hairs

ORIGIN OF DREADLOCK
In ancient Egypt, bas-reliefs were found showing Egyptians with braided hairstyles.

TECHNIQUES USE
There are, however, two techniques for making dreadlocks: 1) the self-training method and 2) the manual creation method. Firstly, the hair is left natural: it can take years to get the result. In a second way, we find the twist and rip. Thirdly and most importantly, it is black combing; palm rolling, and crocheting.

DIFFUSION
The spread takes place thanks to the Rastafarians, the followers of Rastafarianism and monotheistic religion born in 1900.

RASTAFARIANISM
Rastafarianism sees the king of Ethiopia, known by the nickname Ras as considered the incarnation of a king. Rastafarians believe that dreadlocks are their strength. It symbolizes the name of the lion of Judah and, therefore, strength and power.

IDENTITY OF DREADLOCK
Dreadlocks are a symbol of identity against Western beauty standards and colonialism. However, the diffusion takes place thanks to some important figures such as Bob Marley.

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
This happens when a group takes, uses, and markets cultural elements of a people to profit from them, often without indicating the origin. This happens to dreadlocks: this cultural element is emptied of its meaning, becoming a fashion to generate profits for the dominant group.

OPINIONS
Dreadlocks often cause prejudice and discrimination, and many African Americans are forced to take them off in the workplace and at school.

CROWN ACT
Introduced in 2019 in California to protect citizens against discrimination for their natural hair at work and school