Loc Journey: exploring tradition through hair

I’ve finally decided to loc my hair.

I’ve always wanted to since I was younger - just as a hairstyle. But it was frowned upon by my family. Considering the stigma that is around it, I definitely understand where the thought was coming from particularly as immigrants to this country (at the time) really just getting one foot in front of the other.

As I approach my 35th year, it’s strange as I never really imagined what I would be like in my 30s. I imagined turning 30 but not the after. And I think for good reason - it has all been a period of change and transformation. I don’t think I am the same as I was.

I’ve become a wife and a mother of two beautiful children and I feel like I’m finally getting to know my core self - the beliefs that shape me and how I act upon them.

I find myself floating back to these long-held desires and with more conviction to act on them.

One is to loc my hair.

It’s an ancient tradition across many cultures and often has spiritual meaning behind it.

Evidence can be found back to 1000BC, from the Egyptians, Indians, Irish, and Asians ranging from natural hairstyles adorned with decorations, rebellion against oppressive rule, and shunning vanity for a path of wisdom and knowledge.

Commonly found in both Eastern and Western traditions, is the belief that spiritual energy would emanate from the top of the head and hair, and locs could act as a conduit.

My favorite is the story of Shiva, the primal soul of the universe, and how he caught the celestial river Ganga to prevent it from damaging the world and letting the cleansing waters flow through his ‘locs of hair’ gently down the Himalayas.

Locs are often called ‘dreadlocks’ and as a Jamaican, I feel like I should speak on this. To my understanding, the term dreadlocks is connected to the Rastafarian movement and it was a rebellion against the colonial rules of dress. I love this human action of nonconformity and nonviolence. I don’t understand the religious practice of dreadlocks from the Rastafarians except that it’s a dedication to their religion which is an amalgamation of African tribal culture, Hinduism, and the Bible. It would be interesting to learn more about the Rasta traditions that has become synonymous with the Jamaican culture - particularly the pure eating practices, ital, as I go along this path.

Spirituality often gets entangled with religion and there is no religion ascribed to in this journey. The spiritual alignment for me is finding that harmony between beauty, love, self, and nature. It’s focusing on finally building a good relationship with my hair after years of finding it restricting, difficult to maintain, and letting go of unrealistic expectations. Fitting a piece of that puzzle to my authentic self without being swayed by outside influences or stigma.

Follow along for updates along the way of how the journey goes.