Understanding the Cultural Significance of Locs Hairstyle
The loc is one of the most sought-after style that many feel drawn to. Texture Talk will continue to investigate the diverse world of curly hair. We’ll be talking about everything from loose curls and sections that can be protected with protective styling. One of the most appealing attributes of hair that is textured with afro is its flexibility. Locs, a sort of hairstyling which involves various layers of hair being joined to form continuous units, and then pressed together and are deeply rooted in African American identity and have lengthy roots. From Africa through Asia and beyond, Locs remain a powerful expression of heritage.
The Americas have seen ongoing wearers of this style of hair among people of colour across a range of countries from the beginning of time to the present. The hairstyle was not popular until the mid-s but, that reggae musician Bob Marley achieved success and became a source of inspiration for many, due to his connection to Rastafari the Jamaican born religious group, that the hairstyle took root within Western culture. Tyrone Edds has spoken about his strong bond with his trademark locs. The expression “dreadlocks”, which was once used for this kind of style has been deemed off-putting due to its associations.
Colonialism as well as the introduction of Eurocentric standard of beauty have affected natural hair and styles of protection which are often harshly judged and restricted. In order to encourage discussion about the issue, it’s been attempted to remove ourselves in “dread”. Some people select locs because they hold religious or other faiths. Many regard it as an expression of personal pride or of a cultural journey to discover their definition of beauty.
From the time I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by the style of dreadlocks. It’s likely due to the fact that my father has them since early childhood. At the age of fourteen I decided to take the plunge and start making my own. After five years, I began to play around with different shades of dye, including the red, blue, blonde and green, yet grey remains my favourite colour and reminds me of the wisdom. In order to keep my hair looking good that is why regular washing is necessary. Four fashion-forward designers shared their story, along with the fun they experienced during their travels. Shaquone Blake from Toronto shared more details into the subject, explaining to me that dreadlocks are powerful in her eyes.
In the beginning of my existence I tried to blend into the crowd surrounding me. But now I am more inclined to stand apart. Since the past three years my trademark appearance has consisted of a mullette that has bangs at top, long hair behind, with shaved sides. Hairstyles make me feel special, one-of-a-kind but most important, truly myself. Initially, I attempted to attain a desired gray shade for myself however, I soon realized that the process was severely damaging to my hair. Therefore, I decided to receive faux locs professionally by using crochet techniques. My locs are hand-braided and hand-made extensions that originate from Poland can be added to give them a more substantial body.
As with my brothers I too have grown Locs. My aunt, too, has stunning Locs that are almost up to her ankles. My own were developed on Trinidad and Tobago, from the country where my family is from. It’s been several years since the process of developing the locs. However, they have an unpopular stigma attached to locs due to lack of knowledge as well as how people perceive them. One of the most frequent questions I get asked about cleansing my hair, with many thinking that the locs are braids or referring to them as ‘dreadlocks’ without realising the difference.
In summary
My personal style is making me feel more confident about my self-esteem, so I’m satisfied with it. Far from just being the hairstyle of my choice, my locks represent a source confidence and inspire for me to speak my mind in different and interesting ways. My hair, and its narrative — reflect my journey towards self-love and acceptance.
