ANCIENT EGYPTIAN/AFRICAN DREADLOCK HISTORY
Dreadlocks have a fascinating and colorful history, but it's one that's difficult to pin down. Although in modern society dreadlocks are often associated with hippies or marijuana, these associations were not always linked with DREADLOCKS!
the precise date of origin of the hairstyle is unknown. Dates range from 5000 BCE to 1500 BCE. The first solid evidence of dreadlocks comes from ancient Egypt, and there are many depictions of figures with dreadlocked hair. Archaeologists have recovered mummies that also show evidence of dreadlocks
EGYPT
The first known examples of dreadlocks date back to Africa, ancient dynastic Egypt, where African royalty and nobility wore dreadlocked hairstyles (Hence the Pharaoh headdress!!) and wigs appeared on bas-reliefs, statuary and other artifacts. Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with dreadlocks, as well as dreadlocked wigs, also have been recovered from archaeological sites, and are on display at both the Egyptian and British Ancient Egyptian Museums in Cairo and England. The most famous of them all are Pharoah Cheops II (Amtoudi), Khonsu and of course still visible in his Sarcophagus to this day, the Boy King TUTANKHAMEN! Dreadlocks were seen as regal and mystical and were reserved strictly for the Pharoah’s and their families as well as the highest of nobility of the time. Royal children were given braids or plaits (remember the movie Moses with Heston and Yul Brenner) these braids were not undone and hence in time and the coming of age became Dreadlocks. Even Moses must have had them at some point when he was put in the Nile by Ruth, and then recieved by the Pharoah and his family, after all he was the Pharoah’s brother and belonging to the noble family, as well as 2nd in line to the throne, however we all know how that ended!
Dreadlocks were believed to be a cord, a connection between the Pharaoh and the “Gods” basically they had one dread for themselves and 13 others as a link with each and every deity such as Ra, Hathor, Osiris etc, and some were kept as connections to their actual recent forefathers, never more than a total of 18 dreads. This belief was an amalgamation of sorts between current Egyptian rituals of the time and Ghanaian rituals. studies of African History show that the Ga, Twe, Fanti, Brong-Ahaffo, Temalese and Ashanti tribes for reasons unknown made a great migration and settled in what was to be Ancient Egypt. They founded this civilisation, and again for reasons unknown make the great journey back home, and lived relatively peacefully for some 800 years more before the commencement of colonisation and of course the Slave trade.
Which began upon the Ga people of Accra, Elmina Castle (on Elmina island) off the shore of Accra still stands today. Below is a picture of mummified dreads from the Ancient Egyptian museum in Cairo as well as Hierogylphics of female Dreadlocks
the last picture is that of Khonsu. The chin and beard covers of Ancient Egyptian are made to cover the dreads of their beards! to stop the "commoners" and slaves from viewing such regality
the precise date of origin of the hairstyle is unknown. Dates range from 5000 BCE to 1500 BCE. The first solid evidence of dreadlocks comes from ancient Egypt, and there are many depictions of figures with dreadlocked hair. Archaeologists have recovered mummies that also show evidence of dreadlocks
EGYPT
The first known examples of dreadlocks date back to Africa, ancient dynastic Egypt, where African royalty and nobility wore dreadlocked hairstyles (Hence the Pharaoh headdress!!) and wigs appeared on bas-reliefs, statuary and other artifacts. Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with dreadlocks, as well as dreadlocked wigs, also have been recovered from archaeological sites, and are on display at both the Egyptian and British Ancient Egyptian Museums in Cairo and England. The most famous of them all are Pharoah Cheops II (Amtoudi), Khonsu and of course still visible in his Sarcophagus to this day, the Boy King TUTANKHAMEN! Dreadlocks were seen as regal and mystical and were reserved strictly for the Pharoah’s and their families as well as the highest of nobility of the time. Royal children were given braids or plaits (remember the movie Moses with Heston and Yul Brenner) these braids were not undone and hence in time and the coming of age became Dreadlocks. Even Moses must have had them at some point when he was put in the Nile by Ruth, and then recieved by the Pharoah and his family, after all he was the Pharoah’s brother and belonging to the noble family, as well as 2nd in line to the throne, however we all know how that ended!
Dreadlocks were believed to be a cord, a connection between the Pharaoh and the “Gods” basically they had one dread for themselves and 13 others as a link with each and every deity such as Ra, Hathor, Osiris etc, and some were kept as connections to their actual recent forefathers, never more than a total of 18 dreads. This belief was an amalgamation of sorts between current Egyptian rituals of the time and Ghanaian rituals. studies of African History show that the Ga, Twe, Fanti, Brong-Ahaffo, Temalese and Ashanti tribes for reasons unknown made a great migration and settled in what was to be Ancient Egypt. They founded this civilisation, and again for reasons unknown make the great journey back home, and lived relatively peacefully for some 800 years more before the commencement of colonisation and of course the Slave trade.
Which began upon the Ga people of Accra, Elmina Castle (on Elmina island) off the shore of Accra still stands today. Below is a picture of mummified dreads from the Ancient Egyptian museum in Cairo as well as Hierogylphics of female Dreadlocks
the last picture is that of Khonsu. The chin and beard covers of Ancient Egyptian are made to cover the dreads of their beards! to stop the "commoners" and slaves from viewing such regality
Pharoah KHONSU
another Ancient Dreadlocked carving
AFRICAN HISTORY
Another interpretation among the Rastafari is that "dread" refers to the fear dreadlocked Mau Mau warriors (of Kenya) who were initially driven into the bush and jungle only to return later with “fear invoking long locks” inspired fear among the colonial British, eventually driving them out.
History of the Rastafari movement
Ethiopianism
Before Garvey there were two major events that led to Rastafari: The history of resistance and the forming of an afrocentric worldview, Ethiopianism. In Jamaica they carried a tradition of ”what musician Bob Marley called ’resisting against the system.’”
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey Rastas see Marcus Garvey as a prophet, with his philosophy fundamentally shaping the movement, and with many of the early Rastas having started out as Garveyites. He is often seen as a second John the Baptist. One of the most famous prophecies attributed to him involving the coronation of Haile Selassie I was the 1927 pronouncement "Look to Africa, for there a king shall be crowned," though an associate of Garvey's, James Morris Webb, had made very similar public statements as early as 1921. Marcus Garvey promoted Black Nationalism, black separatism, and Pan-Africanism: the belief that all black people of the world should join in brotherhood and work to decolonise the continent of Africa — then still controlled by the white colonialist powers. He promoted his cause of black pride throughout the twenties and thirties, and was particularly successful and influential among lower-class blacks in Jamaica and in rural communities. Although his ideas have been hugely influential in the development of Rastafari culture, Garvey never identified himself with the movement, and even wrote an article critical of Haile Selassie for leaving Ethiopia at the time of the Fascist occupation. In addition, his Universal Negro Improvement Association disagreed with Leonard Howell over Howell's teaching that Haile Selassie was the Messiah. Rastafari nonetheless may be seen as an extension of Garveyism. In early Rasta folklore, it is the Black Star Liner (actually a shipping company bought by Garvey to encourage repatriation to Liberia) that takes them home to Africa.ch
In Africa, we find several sects of people wearing locks. Ethiopian Bahatowie priests of the Coptic faith were observers of the ancient Nasir or Nazarite vows of Judeo-Christianity.Behatowie priests of the Ethiopian Coptic Church had been locking their hair since the fifth century. In Senegal, the Baye Fal and Mouridism. In Sudan are found, several small sects of Islam (many Sufi Islam sects wear locks). Within Kenya, the Akorino of the Kikuyu nation is a sect called Oromo Beja or "the church of the living god" and Ghana also has the Mourides and Baye Fall, the Bono of Techiman and Fitish priests. The Maasai of Kenya grow locks at a stage of age called Moran, symbolizing warriorship. These men dye their hair red with root extracts. The Mau Mau of Kenya is not a tribe really but the name of a rebel movement which was active 1952-60 of which their entire dreadlocked members utilized their appearance in their revolts to intimidate the Europeans in the so-called white highlands. Pictures and stories of the Mau Mau were shown in Jamaican newspapers in the 1950s and were major inspirations to the early formation of the Rastafari movement. to many they are also how the term "Dread" lock came about. when they emerged from the Mountains and Jungles to reclaim their country, the British are remarked as having said that the sheer site of them and these locks struck "Dread" into their hearts and instilled Fear (this was the Mau Mau warriors intent!) Additional tribes are the Shonja; wearing them thin and calling it string hair, the Pokot tribe of Kenya, wearing them in a sack and calling it ancestor hair, and the Kau, Ashanti, and Fulani. The ancient Egyptians, adorned their locks with jewelry and ornaments, the Pharaohs and royalty especially but also the civilians. It is seen that King Tut's body is preserved up until this day with Dreadlockslocks. (Dreadlocks mummify extremely well and outlast most things) Aborigines and New Guineans are similar in African ancestry and few members of these tribes are found with locks as well, usually the shamans or medicine men.
Another interpretation among the Rastafari is that "dread" refers to the fear dreadlocked Mau Mau warriors (of Kenya) who were initially driven into the bush and jungle only to return later with “fear invoking long locks” inspired fear among the colonial British, eventually driving them out.
History of the Rastafari movement
Ethiopianism
Before Garvey there were two major events that led to Rastafari: The history of resistance and the forming of an afrocentric worldview, Ethiopianism. In Jamaica they carried a tradition of ”what musician Bob Marley called ’resisting against the system.’”
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey Rastas see Marcus Garvey as a prophet, with his philosophy fundamentally shaping the movement, and with many of the early Rastas having started out as Garveyites. He is often seen as a second John the Baptist. One of the most famous prophecies attributed to him involving the coronation of Haile Selassie I was the 1927 pronouncement "Look to Africa, for there a king shall be crowned," though an associate of Garvey's, James Morris Webb, had made very similar public statements as early as 1921. Marcus Garvey promoted Black Nationalism, black separatism, and Pan-Africanism: the belief that all black people of the world should join in brotherhood and work to decolonise the continent of Africa — then still controlled by the white colonialist powers. He promoted his cause of black pride throughout the twenties and thirties, and was particularly successful and influential among lower-class blacks in Jamaica and in rural communities. Although his ideas have been hugely influential in the development of Rastafari culture, Garvey never identified himself with the movement, and even wrote an article critical of Haile Selassie for leaving Ethiopia at the time of the Fascist occupation. In addition, his Universal Negro Improvement Association disagreed with Leonard Howell over Howell's teaching that Haile Selassie was the Messiah. Rastafari nonetheless may be seen as an extension of Garveyism. In early Rasta folklore, it is the Black Star Liner (actually a shipping company bought by Garvey to encourage repatriation to Liberia) that takes them home to Africa.ch
In Africa, we find several sects of people wearing locks. Ethiopian Bahatowie priests of the Coptic faith were observers of the ancient Nasir or Nazarite vows of Judeo-Christianity.Behatowie priests of the Ethiopian Coptic Church had been locking their hair since the fifth century. In Senegal, the Baye Fal and Mouridism. In Sudan are found, several small sects of Islam (many Sufi Islam sects wear locks). Within Kenya, the Akorino of the Kikuyu nation is a sect called Oromo Beja or "the church of the living god" and Ghana also has the Mourides and Baye Fall, the Bono of Techiman and Fitish priests. The Maasai of Kenya grow locks at a stage of age called Moran, symbolizing warriorship. These men dye their hair red with root extracts. The Mau Mau of Kenya is not a tribe really but the name of a rebel movement which was active 1952-60 of which their entire dreadlocked members utilized their appearance in their revolts to intimidate the Europeans in the so-called white highlands. Pictures and stories of the Mau Mau were shown in Jamaican newspapers in the 1950s and were major inspirations to the early formation of the Rastafari movement. to many they are also how the term "Dread" lock came about. when they emerged from the Mountains and Jungles to reclaim their country, the British are remarked as having said that the sheer site of them and these locks struck "Dread" into their hearts and instilled Fear (this was the Mau Mau warriors intent!) Additional tribes are the Shonja; wearing them thin and calling it string hair, the Pokot tribe of Kenya, wearing them in a sack and calling it ancestor hair, and the Kau, Ashanti, and Fulani. The ancient Egyptians, adorned their locks with jewelry and ornaments, the Pharaohs and royalty especially but also the civilians. It is seen that King Tut's body is preserved up until this day with Dreadlockslocks. (Dreadlocks mummify extremely well and outlast most things) Aborigines and New Guineans are similar in African ancestry and few members of these tribes are found with locks as well, usually the shamans or medicine men.
The British invade Kenya and enslave its people
Native Kikoyu people imprisoned in camps, The Mau Mau warriors were born from here, it is from this and similar camps taht they escaped into the mountains and jungles to later re-emerge DREADED!
Mau Mau warriors as they emerged
Mau Mau warriors, such as this man, were the original fighters of Kenya who led the revolution against the British colonialists. He has not cut his hair since the date of Kenyan independence, 1964.
During the invasion of Ethiopia by Italy in 1935, the emperor was forced into exile, and guerrilla warriors, under the command of Ras Abebe Aregai, swore not to cut their locks until Haile Selassie, The Lion of Judah, was reinstated to the throne. Rastafarianism was born
During the invasion of Ethiopia by Italy in 1935, the emperor was forced into exile, and guerrilla warriors, under the command of Ras Abebe Aregai, swore not to cut their locks until Haile Selassie, The Lion of Judah, was reinstated to the throne. Rastafarianism was born
Additional tribes are the Shonja; wearing them thin and calling it string hair, the Pokot tribe of Kenya, wearing them in a sack and calling it ancestor hair, and the Kau, Ashanti, and Fulani. The ancient Egyptians, adorned their locks with jewelry and ornaments, the Pharaohs and royalty especially but also the civilians. It is seen that King Tut's body is preserved up until this day with Dreadlockslocks. (Dreadlocks mummify extremely well and outlast most things) Aborigines and New Guineans are similar in African ancestry and few members of these tribes are found with locks as well, usually the shamans or medicine men.
In West Africa what are known as Fittish priests, spiritual men or women who serve and speak to spirits or deities, often wear locks. In Benin the priests of the Yoruba religion of Olokun the spirit of water wear locks. The Hemba people in the southeast of Congo-Kinshasa also dye their dreadlocks red, but their style is thicker than that of the Maasai. Other tribes include the Fang people of Gabon, the Mende of Sierra Leone, and the Turkana people of Kenya.
the following pictures depict dreadlocks and plaits in Ghana as far back as 1890!!!
Ghanian native of Ashanti and his dreads (this is how John The Baptist would have looked! except his were much longer see christianity page for more)
the bobo Ashanti of Ashanti Northern Ghana
African Coptics & their Dreads (East and Central Africa)
