Dreadlocks: no more than a fashion statement?


Written by Louise Umutoni
Page 1 of 2Talk about dreadlocks, and the first thing that comes to mind is Rastafarians and Bob Marley. For most people, however, they also evoke images of a bunch of rowdy, dirty and smelly marijuana smokers.

You can be professional while having dreadlocks at the same time.Although to some extent this might be correct, it should be understood that it has nothing to do with the origin and meaning of dreadlocks.
In Rwanda these days, there are apparently a growing number of people who do not seem to be bothered by the controversies caused by the dreadlocks, and who have adopted them as a fashion. Indeed, often they are not aware of the real history of their hairstyle.
Dreadlocks were not invented by reggae musicians. The first known examples of the hairstyle date back to ancient Egypt, with depictions having been found on historic artifacts.
However, the actual word dreadlocks stems from Rastafarianism, which was born in the 1930s when Ras Tafari the emperor of Ethiopia, was forced into exile. His guerrilla warriors then swore not to cut their hair until the emperor was reinstated.
Their religion resonated with the ideologies of the day, such as socialism, Marxism, nationalism and black power. It was therefore seen as a threat to Christianity and came under attack by the authorities that tried to suppress the ‘Rasta’ movement and imprisoned those who possessed ganja (marijuana). Rastafarians smoked cannabis because they thought it induced a clearer state of well-being.
Yet their dirty hair was thought to be disgusting and frightening, hence the term ‘dread’ which was later reclaimed by the Rasta community.
The hairstyle was later brought into mainstream culture through the worldwide success of reggae musician Bob Marley. Sporting dreadlocks, he prompted an international interest in the style, and the anti-establishment philosophy of Rastafarian culture.
Dreadlocks became increasingly popular and there are many reasons in various cultures for wearing them. They can be an expression of deep religious or spiritual convictions, a manifestation of ethnic pride. They can make a political statement, or simply be a fashion preference.
In Rwanda, it seems they are more of a fashion statement, even if a number of people actually proclaim themselves to be Rastafarians and some really live according to the religion.
Working twice as hard
Fiona Mutesi, a student at the national university, says she simply loves dreadlocks a fashion statement, although she has had to pay quite a price for it. “I have to work twice as hard to prove that I’m competent and can work as well as any one else,” Mutesi says.
However Mutesi is not the only person who has had to deal with this kind of discrimination. Many of the young people confirm that they have missed out on a number of jobs because they look “not serious” due to their dreadlocks.
Joseph Manzi had to cut off his dreadlocks when he came to Rwanda, because in almost every office where he went to ask for a job they liked his qualifications but could not stand his dreadlocks.
“I was told that no one would respect me because of my dreadlocks, yet for some time I insisted on keeping them. But after six months without finding a job, I had to give up and cut them off,” Manzi recalls.
Joseph B is an expert in dreadlocks who works at Divine Hair salon at in Kacyiru. According to him, most people who come to have their hair dreaded have many fears and are usually not too sure whether they really want them.
“There are so many myths surrounding dreads, and although I’ve done many people’s dreadlocks, they often need a lot of convincing,” Joseph explains. He remarks that most people are usually worried about finding a job or being accepted by the older generation, but he insists dreadlocks are just a form of fashion like any other style, and should not be associated with anything else.