At times I am ashamed to admit that my decision to lock my hair was based laziness rather than some deep socio-political reason. I was in my third year and about to sit all my final exams in ONE week. The thought of spending my time combing and patting down my afro for tthirty minutes each morning just to get it to the right proportions did not appeal to me. I asked a friend of mine to twist my hair and four years later here I am ‘all locked up’.
Over the years I have come to appreciate the politics of dreads and the burden and responsibility that is cast upon dreadheads. To be fair this is not unique to dreadlocks, every black hairstyle carries some sort of burden the only difference that I have found is that there very women with locks so I tend to stand out more.
Being a locked sister in the Caribbean has been an amazing experience. I still get the usual you-are-a-weed-smoking-rastafarian looks every now and then but in a country that has a dreadhead for every sqaure inch I find that other people with locks (usually men) treat me with respect. Many will say things like “respect sister” when I walk past. No body here wants to touch your hair and ask you jackass questions like “do you wash your hair” or even sillier “how do you wash your hair”.
I used to have a problem with people mistaking me for a Rastafarian; now I don’t really mind. Those who care to ask will get an explanation, and when I see other Rastas/dreadheads I join in and give them respect…One Love y’all
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Mika says
I decided to lock my hair when my hairdresser went back home (Joyci) and was so fedup of having to go to saloons. It was an experiement and I was not sure it would suit me (Mutton dressed etc).
However now that I have it, I am so pleased with the locks. When tidy, I can look elegant and business like. I do not have to do anything with the hair but wash it, oil it and take the head to the loctician every three months. (granted I do not fuss over it like some poets we know)
The other day a rasta sister said to me something like “Praise the power” and since I did not understand what that meant, I just mumbled stuff back to her.
Our last name also means those who do not cut their hair. Someone one asked if anyone in the family had gone to the forest (Mau Mau) so we have historic reasons for locking our hair.
Phew what a long response.
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Mshairi says
Ok, I do fuss over my locks but I want them to look good – there’s nothing as awful as straggly-looking dreads!
Kui, I am reminded of the last time in Mombasa. After the right-fist-over-the-heart and ‘respect, sista’ greeting, the beach boys vowed the beach was mine, I could walk and feel safe, day and night, nobody would touch me and I was part of this large, loving family. This is a great feeling.
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Wahu says
This is the first time l have seen such lengthy responses over hair. can you imagine hair!!! This is called throwing stones into a police station.
W
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Mshairi says
Wahu, big difference between discussing hair and dreadlocks, dont ya know? Big, big difference:-)
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Kui says
Yesterday afternoon we were talking about reggae music and I mentioned a CD I wanted to buy but couldn’t remember the name…all I knew was that I had seen the artist (a rasta man) on the news promoting his music and he mentioned that he doesn’t sing about sex and violence.
While having lunch today you will never believe who came up to me…the same musician! I asked him why he thought I would be interested in his music…he said because of my hair.
Unfortunately I didn’t have the money on me to buy his CD…
You see A. Wahu this dreadlock thing is a big deal!
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Wahu says
See Kui, hair is hair is hair is hair is and I should know! Maybe it opens up doors and slams up others. I think I am having a bad hair day.
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NDESANJO MACHA says
“Grow your dreadlocks, don’t be afraid of the wolfpack…” – Bob Marley in Rastaman Live Up.
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Pambi says
I locked my hair cause i fancied a change. I completely understand where u are going with the laziness idea Kui. I love the fact that I can just wake up in the morning and not have to think about brushing my hair and straighten my dreads as i leave my place.
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Kui says
Pambi..are you ever on MSN? Do you visit Funky Town?
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Kaki says
Can I participate even though I am not locked? I will anyway….:) As kui knows I am in the napptural movement as well and it was until I shaved off all my hair and started growing my fro (I have perfected the art of the perfect fro so dont hate y’all) is when I realized the politics of black women’s hair.
I am so amazed at how sometimes you are soo judged based on your choice of hairstyle and as I have learnt just cauz you nappy does not mean you down, if you hear me.
I remmeber many a nights in undergrad we would have the nappies vs. permies debate and you will be amazed at how just hair issues extend to self image, self worth etc
What was I going to say about locks…hmmm…forgot…will be back.
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Kui says
Kaki.. the nappie vs permed is one debate I never get involved in because it can get so personal so quickly.
There are two groups though who really have a hard time: the weave brigade and the jerry curl crew..everyone hates on them.
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Kaki says
Ha! Lakini if you are still sporting the jerricurl you need to be hammered All that juice and gel yuck! OK that was my hateration moment of the day.
As for weaves I have never understood the wonderful world of being unbe-weavable so I never comment much on it lakini you have to marvel at those ponytails that come in all sizes and colors that snap on in a minute and bam! you can swish your hair like a white girl 😉
Like you though I stopped the hair debated cauz as you said, it is very personal and the conversation ALWAYS degenerates to no good. Many assumptions and generalizations can get thrown around and feelings hurt.
Oh yeah on locs…I met some sistas who were talking about their hair and everything and it was rather interesting. Their take was that their locs were spiritual and noone was allowed to touch or count them. Something about draining their energies and leaving their aura, spirits etc.
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Kui says
Kaki..I am totally with those locked sisters when it comes to touching my hair. I don’t like it..infact i hate it. If you ask; I may let you touch but hii mambo ya kusjika nywele yangu like I am a doll..no way. It happens a lot in England but here people are clued up..thank God