This would have been important for Vikings who were raiding, sailing, or fighting. The first reference to dreadlocks in the Viking age comes from skaldic poetry of the 9th-century skaepiggjo (lit. [23], Within Tibetan Buddhism and other more esoteric forms of Buddhism, locks have occasionally been substituted for the more traditional shaved head. He was drafted by the Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft and played college football at South Carolina. In conclusion, the Vikings would have likely worn dreadlocks for a combination of reasons. Harald Fairhair and Sweyn Forkbeard were both Viking men of royalty, with mentions of their hair in their bynames. In fact, the ponytail was likely a popular hairstyle, as depictions of women with ponytails are frequently found on Viking picture stones and gold pieces. The Polish plait can vary between one large plait and multiple plaits that resemble dreadlocks. This piece was originally published in October 2020. It feeds into Euro-centric beauty standards. In some societies hair can represent spiritual connections, whilst different styles can indicate specific rites of passage. However, historical evidence supports the idea that Celts likely wore their hair long or in braids rather than having dreadlocks. In the Fifties and Sixties, when immigrants came to the UK from former colonies in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, they faced discrimination not just because of the colour of their skin. Their dreadlocks were inspired by the Nazarites of the Bible. Cuthbert was a real monk who did live on Lindisfarne for a time, but he died of old age in 687, long before any Vikings mounted an attack on Holy Island. In Season 1 of Vikings, Rollo attacks the island of Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island because of its monastery, and kills Father Cuthbert, an elderly monk. Why do Rastas cover their hair? The Vikingshad diverse hair types, from thin blonde strands to thick black heads of hair. It is also reasonable to assume that dreadlock-type styles may have developed simultaneously due to the relative ease of allowing hair to become matted over time. [20], In Nigeria, dreadlocks are viewed in a negative light due to their stereotypical association with gangs and criminal activity; men with dreadlocks face profiling from Nigerian police. Cornrows vs Braids. This content is imported from Instagram. Please read our. Did Vikings Have Dreadlocks Or Braids? Some claim that dreadlocks originated in India (unlike most who cite Egypt as their birthplace) with the dreadlocked deity Shiva and his followers. I receive dozens of messages a day from people expressing their love for the page and thanking me for creating it. Here are some of the leading theories behind why Vikings may have worn dreadlocks. to learn what scientists believe about their faces, hairstyles, clothing, skin color, and more. No. The word Viking comes from a Scandinavian word that means pirate. They were known and feared for their habits of burning, plundering, and pillaging the areas where they landed. [6] Mummified remains of Egyptians with locked wigs have also been recovered from archaeological sites. In any case, braids were no doubt an important part of Viking culture and they served a practical purpose, but long hair was not allowed except for special occasions. [16]. Read Next: Trending Viking Hairstyles for Women for 2023. Viking culture was kept alive through its oral tradition, much of which has been lost over the centuries. You may also be interested in: Did Viking Face Paint Exist? [17]. Others say that Rastas were inspired by the locks worn by warriors of the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya during the Fifties. In any case, braids were probably not used for the purpose of making your beard look better. Viking hairstyles were very practical and often used hairstyles that were supposed to provide some kind of advantage in combat. But Goldstein doesn't rock his dreads in 11 th Century Scandinavia. Click on our logo above to see the most recent hair styling and care guides! There is no question that the Vikings had dreadlocks that were different in texture from those of African and Indian origins (although recent studies and historical sources suggest that there were also Black Vikings, whose hair was likely of a different texture from those Vikings who were genetically Northern European). Therefore, although modern versions of Viking hairstyles are popular today, the styles containing braids are, unfortunately, not accurate to how Norsemen looked during the Viking age. What Was The Typical Haircut For Vikings? We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. [39], On 3 July 2019, California became the first US state to prohibit discrimination over natural hair. After all, weve all seen the TV shows where many Vikings appear to have elaborate braids or long, flowing locks male or female. Dreadlocks in ancient times were said to hold power. Dreadlocks are one of the few hairstyles that have always felt unique to the black community. (Shocking Answer Youll Find). Vikings did not create or keep written records, so the question of whether or not Vikings had dreadlocks cannot be answered using original sources from people within that culture. Their use has also been raised in debates about cultural appropriation. This is probably a reference to dreadlocks, but like most skaldic poems, there is no way of knowing for sure. It is often called an "African braid.". While the Vikings themselves havent shed a lot of light on this subject, we can thank those who encountered the Vikings even if they werent thrilled about it at the time, Im sure, given the Vikings less-than-welcoming reputation for discussing the topic, at least to a point. The Romans created many accounts of Viking encounters, and described their hair as being like snakes. Most of the information historians use to learn about Viking hairstyles comes from carvings, statues, and ancient texts. 1. When I have asked white people about their dreadlocks, I have had responses which vary from, My hair would do this naturally if I didnt comb it, to Vikings had dreadlocks. The word fear-locks was apparently proposed but quickly dismissed. The hair would never be longer than shoulder length, with some exceptions. If they did, it would be more likely for them to have worn plaited braids. For hair to be included in Viking titles, hair must have had a high degree of importance in the Norse society. The Celts were their relatively close neighbors to the south. There are many reasons why Vikings wore dreadlocks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); TheIdleMen.Com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. While it wasnt uncommon for men to shear off most of the hair on the sides or back of their head, most Viking women kept all of their hair long, keeping it off their neck by braiding and knotting it at the top of the skull. On 10 December 2010, the Guinness Book of World Records rested its "longest dreadlocks" category after investigation of its first and only female title holder, Asha Mandela, with this official statement: Following a review of our guidelines for the longest dreadlock, we have taken expert advice and made the decision to rest this category. After all, familiarizing yourself with a cultures most popular hairstyles is an excellent way to understand which hairdos were popular and which were rare. Did dreadlocks come from vikings? The Vikings were very concerned with -and proud of- their personal hygiene. As per the NFL's rulebook, a player's hair is considered part of their "uniform," meaning the locks are fair game when attempting to bring them down. One 12-year-old boy, Chikayzea Flanders, who was brought up in a family of Rastafarians, was even told that he would be suspended from school unless he cut off his dreadlocks. Show replies. This is probably because there are no contemporary depictions of Vikings with dreadlocks or any other form of non-shaven hair shown. Answer (1 of 5): Do you mean dreadlocks? For Buddhists of these particular sects and degrees of initiation, their locked hair is not only a symbol of their vows but an embodiment of the particular powers they are sworn to carry. Get the Facts, Vikings simply liked having their hair combed. It minimises structural racism and ignores issues of under-representation of people of colour. Did Vikings have dreadlocks or braids? Only last year the State of California brought about a law, known as the Crown Act, to ban workplace or school discrimination based on ones natural hair. What we can assume about Viking hairstyles is that they were likely far removed from the depictions we see today in movies and television shows. As far as evidence suggests, they did not wear either type of hairstyle. Theres also the common-sense presumption that the cavemen likely were not paying close attention to their hair, and that matted hair was a style long before hair was intentionally styled at all. After all, our ancient ancestors focused on survival, not keeping their hair tangle-free. Comments like those mentioned earlier are not isolated and further reinforce the role of education as a tool to dismantle racism at its base. What Age Does Your Beard Stop Filling In? Whether your hair is blonde or brunette, this style is handsome and low maintenance. Effectively the dreadlock can become an extension and therefore impossible to adjudicate accurately. The reasons the Vikings wore dreadlocks isn't clear, but it was likely due to practical and cultural reasons. link to Did Vikings Have Dreadlocks? While the exact origins of dreadlocks may never be definitively proven, theres enough evidence in the historical and archeological record to determine that Vikings did not invent dreadlocks. Generally, Vikings wore their hair in one of the following styles: Long hair was the norm for most Viking communities, but it could also be a nuisance. The problem with these depictions is that there are either artistic interpretations or archeological evidence of decomposed hair. Did Vikings have dreadlocks or braids. The history of dreadlocks is complicated, but it seems that the Vikings were not the only ones with these hairstyles. [24] 1.4.15 of the Hevajra Tantra states that the practitioner of particular ceremonies "should arrange his piled up hair" as part of the ceremonial protocol.[25]. While Northern Scandinavian Vikings tended to be naturally blonde, Danish Vikings were darker-haired and could be red-heads or brunettes. Vikings, Europe. Multiple Cornrows Viking Hairstyles. The Romans reported Celtic warriors as having "hair like snakes," which has been taken to imply that they had dreadlocks. , from thin blonde strands to thick black heads of hair. The reasons the Vikings wore dreadlocks isn't clear, but it was likely due to practical and cultural reasons. He had them before he started playing professional football, but they became more noticeable when he was on the field. The Scandinavian warriors known as Vikings were known to take to the seas to conquer, pillage, and plunder. The stereotypical image of a Viking, thanks in part to depictions of them in popular culture, is that they had white or light-colored skin and blonde, or sometimes brown, hair. Many Viking men and women had dreadlocks. Coiled ponytails require very long hair, so the women who wore them must have had the resources to care for them. On the surface, dreadlocks are "free-formed" locs of hair (i.e., hair locks). Unmarried girls could wear their hair either loose or braided, to signify their unmarried status in society. Perhaps the most telling comment comes from the pen of English cleric John of Wallingford . Now while I'm no Mary Beard, even I can . That longer hair may have been coiled into dreadlocks by Vikings to make it easier to keep off the face while not wearing a helmet. Whether or not the Vikings had dreadlocks, nobody really knows for sure. Once a Viking female was married, evidence supports the shift to wearing her hair in a twist or knot at the top of her head. When the Vikings pillaged resources from villages, they typically gathered people from those areas to take home as slave workers (alsocalled thralls). Best Beard Styles Without Sideburns for men (2023) - mesomen.com, http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/viking/viking-male-grooming, Complete Guide To Using Beeswax For Dreads. Moving over to their economic activities, the Vikings were agriculturalists and derived some of their food products from fishing and hunting. This changed in the Twentieth Century with the start of a socio-religious movement in New York in the . This is why Vikings are never depicted with these types of hairstyles, despite popular belief to the contrary. Norse dreadlocks were practical and enhanced their fierce, rugged, and bold look, making them a force to be reckoned with. The appearance of those dreads will differ based on how carefully they are groomed and how long they are allowed to grow. Some Vikings even shaved their heads completely, though this practice was far less common than wearing their hair long. Each user should evaluate the information on our site and is encouraged to do further research before taking any action, inaction, or making any decision based on the content provided on our site. For example in Ghana, the Akan people refer to locks as Mps, and they are usually reserved for priests of Akomfo. While married Viking women typically tucked their long hair into a high bun, unmarried Viking women wore their hair loose, in braids, or in dreads, though both Viking men and women are thought to have worn dreads. Another tradition places the origin of dreadlocks with the House of Youth Black Faith (HYBF), a group of radical young Rastas who formed in the late Forties. But Viking warriors likely developed dreads while spending long bouts of time away from home. Viking women were just as integral to Viking raids are their male counterparts. [14] Some of the very earliest adherents of Christianity in the Middle East may have worn this hairstyle; there are descriptions of James the Just, first Bishop of Jerusalem, who is said to have worn them to his ankles.[15]. Via Vikings.fandom.com. Did Vikings have dreads first? To maintain long, healthy hair, constant hair maintenance is needed to keep the hair from breaking or tangling. Yes, it is believed that most or perhaps even all men had beards or at least short stubble on their faces throughout the year. Yes, it is believed that the braids worn by Vikings were probably used as a way of displaying their status or just to have some fun with hairstyles. | Yes, But Not Always, Written by: Author Olivia Moore |Reviewed by: Editorial Team. Eventually the latter was dissolved and dreadlocks became the well known symbol of Rastafari that it is today. Your email address will not be published. Pre-Columbian Aztec priests were described in Aztec codices (including the Durn Codex, the Codex Tudela and the Codex Mendoza) as wearing their hair untouched, allowing it to grow long and curl around itself. Did Vikings have dreads? Get the Facts, link to Were the Vikings Black? The famous Santorini fresco depicts fighters with dreadlocks. See Were the Vikings black? Contents show. But on the question of Viking dreads, historical sources have something to say about that. Some soldiers would probably only wear the mustache on special occasions during peacetime, but this was still a tradition very characteristic of Viking culture. This cultural brainwashing, which is very much a British export, has even resulted in a case reported last month in which Jamaica's Supreme Court ruled that a school was justified in banning a child with dreadlocks for reasons of "hygiene". Dreadlocks represent a renewed sense of pride in African physical characteristics and Blackness, which ties in with their belief about keeping things natural. In the simplest language, cultural appropriation happens when a dominant culture takes something from an oppressed culture without any acknowledgment of where it has come from. First and foremost, they were practical. Rastafari movement dreadlocks are symbolic of the Lion of Judah which is sometimes centered on the Ethiopian flag. Even . Some Viking men preferred to wear their hair in a reverse mullet style. Dreadlocks showed their importance in society and symbolised their religious roles. are well-known for being fierce Scandanavian warriors, but what were their haircare routines like? [3] Source[4] Source[5] Source[6] Source[7] Source[8] Source[9] Source[10] Source[11] Source[12] Williams[13] Source[14] Source[15] Source. Rastafari hold that Haile Selassie is a direct descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, through their son Menelik I. (Also see Did Viking Helmets Really Have Horns? The fact is the Vikings were one of several ancient people groups to have worn dreadlocks, along with the ancient Gauls, Celts, Indians, and many more. As a Status Symbol Historians think dreads served as a status symbol for ancient Vikings. A true warrior Viking, one who explored and raided in Viking longships, probably wore his hair short on the back of his head and long in the front, in a kind of reverse mullet. However, the evidence to support this idea is scant. The history of Viking's dreadlocks is varied and differs depending on who you ask. Dreadlocks may have also served practical purposes within every culture in which this style is documented. The Celts and Vikings shared several cultural similarities, including hairstyles. Some ancient Egyptian mummies were found to have had dreadlock wigs from 1400 BCE. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. For example, many Viking women wore long hair, braiding their locks to form thick plaits that they could wrap or weave into tight buns. Genetic research has shown that the Vikings in West Scandinavia, and therefore in Denmark, were mostly red-haired. One source states that original Rastas called their locks zatavi (from the Hindi jata) as it appears the word dreadlocks was not coined until 1959, when a group of Rasta friends met in their yard. (The Historical Truth). Virtually all hair will naturally mat and form dreadlocks if left alone for a period of time. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'theidlemen_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theidlemen_com-banner-1-0'); The haircut that was preferred by Vikings is not known with certainty. I cannot exclude the possibility of locked or matted hair being found in European history at some point in time. This has led many to believe that there would be many different forms of braids and styles, just like any other culture in the world around them. Did dreadlocks come from Vikings? In other words, most people just kept their hair short as described above practical and simple to maintain. Just as we choose how to wear our hair based on the impression wed like to make on others, theres no reason to think that the Vikings, with dreads or otherwise, didnt also consider how their appearance would be perceived. Her comments are consistent with what is known as colour-blind racism. The reasoning for using the word is related to both a dread or fear of God, as well as the feeling that the locks would scare off potential threats. See What Did the Vikings Look Like? Nonetheless, the evidence suggests that the Norse took good care of their hair. Barrett, Leonard E. (1988). Although dreadlocks have been worn continuously by people of colour in Africa, Asia, and the Americas from ancient times until now, their popularisation in the West only occurred in the Seventies. [29][30] The Kapalikas, first commonly referenced in the 6th century CE, were known to wear Ja[31] as a form of deity imitation of the deva Bhairava-iva. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the CROWN Act into law, banning employers and schools from discriminating against hairstyles such as dreadlocks, braids, afros, and twists. They were also described as having "rope-like" or "snake-like" hair which could be dreadlocks, braids, or something similar. Unfortunately, not only is this simply untrue, it is also dangerous. Married women and maidens also had different hairstyles. Today's Viking hairstyles are often spiced up with color highlights, knotless braids, dreadlocks, cornrows, faded sides, shaved-in design on the sides, extreme hard parts, and unique hair accessories. Yet hairstyles for Norse women were not limited to coils or braids. [4] Frescoes discovered on the Aegean island of Thera (modern Santorini, Greece) depict individuals with long braided hair or long dreadlocks. Did Vikings have dreads? However, not all Vikings had dreadlocks, and hairstyle was often associated with social class. Were dreadlocks important to the Vikings? Soon, dreadlocks had become such a contentious issue that the House split into two groups, the House of Dreadlocks and the House of the Combsomes. Did Vikings Have Dreads? This ideology is based on the assertion that racial privilege does not exist. "The history of hair, hair styles through the ages", "Twisted Locks of Hair: The Complicated History of Dreadlocks", "Dreadlocks in History - How Dreadlocks Work", "Zeitreisen - Vom Einimpfen und Auskampeln", "Students are claiming the white man harassed over his dreadlocks isn't telling the full story", The Dreadlocks Treatise: On Tantric Hairstyles in Tibetan Buddhism, "Why Some Indian Women Are Terrified of Chopping off Their Dreadlocks, Even Though They Can't Move Their Necks", "Hair and Shanti: What Hair Means to Indians", "What Sadhus and Sadhvis at Kumbh Told Me About Their Long and Important Dreadlocks", "SADHUS, HINDU HOLY MEN | Facts and Details", "Jeremy Lin's dreadlocks have led to all kinds of comments even Lil B's support", "California bans racial discrimination based on hair in schools and workplaces", "New York bans discrimination against natural hair", Dreadlocks Story Documentary by Linda Anouche, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dreadlocks&oldid=1142222284, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 04:57. The long plaits are indicative of status, while the plain knots and ponytails indicate that the individual may be a commoner. The Vikings existed in the 8th Century, and they came from the Scandinavia countries. [17] The typical reference to Viking implies the Norsemen who raided the coasts of England, and these men would not have worn braids. Warriors among the Fulani, Wolof and Serer in Mauritania, and Mandinka in Mali were known for centuries to have worn cornrows when young and dreadlocks when old. Its possible that some Vikings shaved most of their hair off or went entirely bald. " Well, the Celts did have dreadlocks. They were simply practical and served their own special purpose according to Viking culture. Modern dreadlocks may have originated in Ancient Egypt (as depicted on theSarcophagus of Kawit) or Ancient Greece. On the other hand, married women wore their hair up, usually coiled in a bun at the backs of their heads. Did Viking Face Paint Exist? Other ancient cultures of dreadlocks included the Greeks and Vikings. However, braids are not dreadlocks, and it is not always possible to tell from these images which are being depicted.[8][9]. A Barber Guide to Cut Your Own Hair. We need to ensure that differences between cultural groups are not only celebrated but also respected. Leaving their hair loose or in braids could signify their unmarried status. Leonard Howell, hailed as the first Rasta, was known to have links with Indo-Jamaican followers of Hinduism and even had a Hindu-inspired alias Gong Guru Maragh. In contemporary media, Viking hair is often shown as twisted into long braids or elaborate knots. Although dreadlocks have been worn continuously by people of colour in Africa, Asia, and the. Start Here Hair Care Styling Did Vikings Have Dreads? It is also believed that Vikings braided their beards when they wanted to give the impression of increased size. When you keep your hair long and braided most days, theres a chance that it could naturally begin to form into dreadlocks. Either way, it appears that younger Viking women let their hair grow long, sometimes so long that it could be tucked into their belts. You would think that the Vikings who could travel to America (or Greenland) would have ended up with dreadlocks after their journey but this is probably not true. Other descriptions sound more like braids than dreadlocks, and mention accessories worn in the hair along with the special style. For example, warriors of the Fula and Wolof people of West Africa and the Maasai and Kikuyu tribes of Kenya, are all known for locked hair. Hygiene and beauty Combs of wood or bone are amongst the most common finds from the Viking period. Vikings were known to have perfect body shapes. This article will review the current knowledge of how Vikings wore and styled their hair. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. The Vikings who were focused on warfare may have worn their hair short in the back to make it easier to wear protective helmets. Some warriors would perhaps keep their hair longer, but only in the back or on the sides, with it being noticeably shorter everywhere else. Did Vikings have dreadlocks? This can be problematic for a number of reasons. Sadly, slavery was a common practice throughout ancient civilizations. You Probably Need a Haircut provides general information only. [7], During the Bronze and Iron Ages, many peoples in the Near East, Anatolia, Caucasus, East Mediterranean and North Africa such as the Sumerians, Elamites and Ancient Egyptians were depicted in art with braided or plaited hair and beards. Though modern portrayals of Vikings often depict Norsemen with braids, coils, and dreadlocks in their hair, Vikings did not wear braids often. Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with dreadlocks have even been found in archaeological sites, making ancient Egypt the first place where the hairstyle is known to have first appeared on artifacts. Still, Viking women tended to wear complex plaits made of braids, while mens hairstyles were often more straightforward. [1]. Rather, the Vikings built the trellborgs which were the ring-shaped forts. ISPCK. You will Learn in this Post hide 1. From recovered artifacts, historians have determined that hygiene and grooming were very important in Norse society. According to the Viking Museum in Stockholm, "If anything, fly agaric would have made them particularly worthless warriors, since the side-effects include drowsiness, vomiting, muscle spasms and numbness in arms and legs.". Locks have been worn for various reasons in each culture. But what we do know is that Vikings are conscious of their physical appearance and used a comb for styling their hair. Until I did the proper research, I assumed that the Black way of doing dreadlocks was the "right" way. As such it was not common for people to grow their beards very long, except for the chieftains who were expected to grow them as a sign of their status. While there is no clear evidence to say that the Vikings picked up their hairstyle from the Celts, or vice versa, it seems reasonable to assume that each culture took note of the appearance of members of the other. [33] Haile Selassie was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930. To conclude, there is no doubt that Vikings grew their beards and it was a very natural thing to do not something worn for show or as part of a hairstyle. I felt like this new routine was the purest, most natural way to have dreadlocks, thinking of my Rastafarian ancestors who made locks their symbol of rebellion and acceptance of dread as a state of mind: an intentional statement of living outside of society voluntarily, choosing to wear . Interestingly, it appears that the hairstyle chosen by individual Viking men and women may have had more to do with their class and profession than their aesthetic preferences. There is no clear timeline for when the Vikings embraced specific hairstyles. FIghting and honor was a way of life for the Vikings and anything that impeded that would have been tossed aside. If we link to any product, you should assume that well receive a commission when you buy it, at no extra cost to you. The earliest written reference of locks is found in Vedic scriptures, holy Hindu texts dating back to 1500BC, in which Lord Shivas hair is referred to as jata, a sanskrit word meaning twisted locks of hair. Like this post? I started my page to provide a space for people of colour to celebrate who we were prior to colonisation and the cultural brainwashing that established euro-centric beauty as the standard.