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dreadlocks  

post #1 of 37
9/5/06 at 4:24am
Thread Starter 
ok mama's, i need your help. I have really long thick hair, and I need a change. I thought about chopping it to my shoulders. But I always hated that length on me. I thought about a buzzcut....but I don't think I can pull it off. So now I've been pondering dreadlocks. I want something easy. Something that I can pretty much get up an go. Right now, I either have to blowdry my hair after a shower and then flat iron it straight, so it doesn't tangle. Or if I let it air dry, I have to comb it through the day because by the evening, it will have horrible knots.

Give me your thoughts on dreadlocks, please! I don't even know how to "start" a dreadlock? Tips? Advise? OH and if you have dreadlocks and you have pics, I wanna see them, please!
post #2 of 37
9/5/06 at 4:28am
I could be wrong, but i think there's a dred tribe on the main FINDING YOUR TRIBE board. I think I saw one there when I used to hang out on another tribe.

I don't have dreads, so I can't help you otherwise. Sorry
post #3 of 37
9/5/06 at 4:55am
Do it! You can always shave it off when you're done with them!
post #4 of 37
9/5/06 at 4:58am
ooh dreads are hot GO FOR IT

This is a great site

http://www.knottyboy.com/
post #5 of 37
9/5/06 at 4:59am
Thread Starter 
I just subbed at the dread tribe!

I'm really thinking about doing it! Gosh, what makes me nervous is if I want to take them out then I have to shave my head!!
post #6 of 37
9/5/06 at 9:31am
What about getting a head full of braids, instead? You can take those out.
post #7 of 37
9/5/06 at 10:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CrunchyKat
Gosh, what makes me nervous is if I want to take them out then I have to shave my head!!
Not anymore. Knotty boy has a dreadlock removal kit that aids in not having to shave them out. They have testimonials and pictures and it seems it works well for most people and you get to keep a good portion of your hair. You'd just have a shorter do.
post #8 of 37
9/5/06 at 10:46am
A persepective you might want to read and ponder before locking.

here
post #9 of 37
9/5/06 at 10:47am
Dreads are ever-so-yummy!

Do it!

alsoSarah
post #10 of 37
9/5/06 at 10:50am
I know s**t about caucasian hair, but I do have dreads and I know you can take out dreads with cheap conditioner, just invest in a couple bottles from the dollar store and a couple hours.

That said knotty boys dread wax has bees wax in it and bees wax is a no no in black hair, I'd have to ask my asian friends with dreads if it's the same for them.
post #11 of 37
9/5/06 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mahdokht
A persepective you might want to read and ponder before locking.

here
I've always found this argument interesting, as rastafari wasn't even created until the 1930's, and throughout history people of all colors and ethnic backgrounds have had dreads (like egyptians and norse and scots and others. I'd even go so far to say that anyone, regardless of skin color, but rather certain hair types like mine can get dreads very easily, whether they want them or not). I believe early rastas didn't even consider it a religion, but a movement (rastafari), and locking was part of their movement. So, while I understand why rastas would find it insulting for "white" people to don dreads, I don't so much understand why other people would.
post #12 of 37
9/5/06 at 12:28pm
I'm dreading my (ridiculously short) hair soon. There is a lot of info at www.dreadheadhq.com
post #13 of 37
9/5/06 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by phishmama
I've always found this argument interesting, as rastafari wasn't even created until the 1930's, and throughout history people of all colors and ethnic backgrounds have had dreads (like egyptians and norse and scots and others. I'd even go so far to say that anyone, regardless of skin color, but rather certain hair types like mine can get dreads very easily, whether they want them or not). I believe early rastas didn't even consider it a religion, but a movement (rastafari), and locking was part of their movement. So, while I understand why rastas would find it insulting for "white" people to don dreads, I don't so much understand why other people would.
True that. Dreadlocks did not start with the Rastafarians. Seems they were the group of people who started sporting dreadlocks again and brought them to attention so everyone thinks that dreadlocks started with the Rastas when they didn't - they go WAY back. I've never had an arguement with anyone about my dreads and I've never been approached by anyone who was offended that I had them. I think it woud be silly if someone had a problem because my reasons for having dreads are not because I'm rasta, it's because dreadlocks have their own special meaning to me.
post #14 of 37
9/5/06 at 2:20pm
Go for it, mama! I'm locked and have been that way for 10 years. I love my hair!!!
post #15 of 37
9/5/06 at 2:27pm
You will not have to shave your head. And if you go "natural" (no backcoming or braiding) It may be a few YEARS before the roots of your hair loc up, meaning you can cut them out and still have a good 4 or plus inches of hair!
post #16 of 37
9/5/06 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by phishmama
I've always found this argument interesting, as rastafari wasn't even created until the 1930's, and throughout history people of all colors and ethnic backgrounds have had dreads (like egyptians and norse and scots and others. I'd even go so far to say that anyone, regardless of skin color, but rather certain hair types like mine can get dreads very easily, whether they want them or not). I believe early rastas didn't even consider it a religion, but a movement (rastafari), and locking was part of their movement. So, while I understand why rastas would find it insulting for "white" people to don dreads, I don't so much understand why other people would.


Lord I really like to stsy to hell of dread topics on MDC since being told in 04 my dread weren't real because they were started by a sistern in a salon altho they were started for spiritual reasons: but man I do have to speak to this.
The foundation of Rastafari is with in the Bahatowie priest (Ethiopian Coptic church) who had been locking since the 5th century, yes in the 1930's they pledged not to cut until the "Lion of Judah" had returned but dreads with in the African community had been along much longer, Kikuyu warriors in the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya, the Himba of Namibia, the Yoruba, Ibo and Mende.
So while Rastafari is yet young, it's roots are thousands of years old.


As a black woman with dreads for a spiritual reason, I find that Nyahbingi dreadlock whites, are much more offended by whites who loc, personally as shown in this topic the OP asked about when she wanted to take the dreads down, to her it's a hairstyle like most who loc, I gave her advice on how to save her hair when the time came instead of having to chop, she's doing this as a hair style I wish her the best, that's that.
post #17 of 37
9/5/06 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lunamegn
True that. Dreadlocks did not start with the Rastafarians. Seems they were the group of people who started sporting dreadlocks again and brought them to attention so everyone thinks that dreadlocks started with the Rastas when they didn't - they go WAY back. I've never had an arguement with anyone about my dreads and I've never been approached by anyone who was offended that I had them. I think it woud be silly if someone had a problem because my reasons for having dreads are not because I'm rasta, it's because dreadlocks have their own special meaning to me.
Did you start yours with braids? I like how yours look! I'm really thinking about doing this...
post #18 of 37
9/5/06 at 2:53pm
I'm glad you came back on and posted, Kajira. Your posts are always insightful and thought provoking. I just find this topic fascinating b/c for some it is a hairstyle while for others a lifestyle, and discussions like this bring up that divide. I can't help what my hair does, and honestly, I'd be sad if I offended someone simply b/c of what it naturally does. I have to cut and pull knots everyday to keep it from going up. So, since I've had my hair both ways-let them in and fought them out, I've often wondered which way is best in keeping w/my natural self, and balancing others' perceptions. It is easy to let them in, a test in fortitude and patience to take the time to let them lock up. I also am handy w/scissors and a brush. kwim? So, what is true to me and my self and not insulting to others? I could go crazy trying to find that balance.
post #19 of 37
9/5/06 at 2:57pm
No, didn't do anything. I just stopped brushing my hair and then once it got kinda greasy I washed it with neutrogena anti residue to get all the oil and whatnot out and then it locked up faster. I had to keep in mind that doing it this way can make them look kinda funky for a while. I started mine when my hair was a little shorter than shoulder length and it locked up real short cause I just let it do it's own thang. If you have longer hair, the dreads will be longer but you have to expect that they will shrink up a bit. I knew starting mine that i probably wouldn't like them too much for about 3 years and right around the 3 year mark they finally looked the way I wanted them too. But when I started mine I knew that I didn't want to do anything to them - just see what would happen by not doing anything. Some people do it differently - the "put" their dreads in - nothing wrong with that, just wanted to do mine differently. It's been a long journey and a bit of a committment, but i love mine now.

One of my friends, when I was first starting my dreads, said that i would get to know each of my dreads individually and she was so right. I know the feel of each one. It's been a fun trip with them!
post #20 of 37
9/5/06 at 3:11pm
I know a person with dreadlocks and her hair seems to require a lot of maintenance especially the getting started part.
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