Generally, Vikings wore their hair in one of the following styles: When you keep your hair long and braided most days, theres a chance that it could naturally begin to form into dreadlocks. There are depictions of Vikings with some form of long, matted hair, both in illustrations and actual remains. They are currently studying for a masters in postcolonial studies at SOAS. Was Hairstyle Important in Viking Culture? 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. Depending on your role in the community, you likely wore a specific hairstyle to denote your status. However, the men seemed to favor dreadlocks or other hairstyles, not any form of braids. For thousands of years, the black community has been shunned for their thick coarse hair, so when a . Did Vikings have dreads? The response has been immense. Our content is for informational purposes only. [38], In the NBA there has been controversy over the Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin, an Asian-American who garnered mild controversy over his choice of dreadlocks. In other words, most people just kept their hair short as described above practical and simple to maintain. Given dreadlocks' rich history, it's hard for one group to claim them, said Feminista Jones, writer, speaker and former wearer of locks. Viking hairstyles were very practical and often used hairstyles that were supposed to provide some kind of advantage in combat. 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. Long, thick dreadlocks were no doubt intimidating to the residents of the coastal areas where Vikings wreaked havoc, especially when combined with the traditional Viking tattoos its believed they had. [17] The typical reference to Viking implies the Norsemen who raided the coasts of England, and these men would not have worn braids. Modern dreadlocks may have originated in Ancient Egypt (as depicted on the, Trending Viking Hairstyles for Women for 2023. But on the question of Viking dreads, historical sources have something to say about that. In any culture where there wasnt a focus on writing down records or creating artwork depicting their lives (at least not any that has survived until today), its always difficult to say definitively anything about that culture relating to appearance. . This style is also known as Jata, Sanskrit, dreads, or locs, which all use different methods to encourage the formation of the locs such as rolling, braiding, and backcombing. . Did Vikings Have Dreadlocks Or Braids? "Sure, white people can wear locs," she said in an . Aspects of this image are true: Vikings did have long hair that was usually reddish or blond. 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. This is why Vikings are never depicted with these types of hairstyles, despite popular belief to the contrary. However, historical evidence supports the idea that Celts likely wore their hair long or in braids rather than having dreadlocks. Its possible that some Vikings shaved most of their hair off or went entirely bald. Ancient humans believed hair held energy and locking it up into. Men and women have worn their hair in rope-like strands for centuries, and people all around the world still wear them today. Modern dreadlocks may have originated in Ancient Egypt (as depicted on theSarcophagus of Kawit) or Ancient Greece. 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. With dreadlocks, you are interlocking everything in your hair together. 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. When the Vikings pillaged resources from villages, they typically gathered people from those areas to take home as slave workers (alsocalled thralls). Please share. Historians have uncovered Roman accounts stating that the Celts wore their hair "like snakes" and that several Germanic tribes and Vikings were known to wear dreadlocks. This suggests that regular hygiene included cleaning and grooming hair. While the Vikings didn't keep written historical records, the people they encountered often did. 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. Learn all about Viking dreads from history, including when they started and their importance for females too. Berdn, Frances F. and Rieff Anawalt, Patricia (1997). Comments like those mentioned earlier are not isolated and further reinforce the role of education as a tool to dismantle racism at its base. " Well, the Celts did have dreadlocks. [17] Cheikh Ibra Fall, founder of the Baye Fall school of the Mouride Brotherhood, popularized the style by adding a mystic touch to it. Why shouldn't we be allowed to wear dreadlocks? Recovered carvings from the Viking age also reveal that Norse women wore ponytails in addition to the coiled bun. The Scandinavian warriors known as Vikings were known to take to the seas to conquer, pillage, and plunder. The vikings were known for keeping their beard and hair tidy, not exactly what you acccociate with dreadlocks. This shouldnt be difficult for people to understand. 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. 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. Save to. to learn more. The exact details on how Vikings braid their hair are lost to time, but some discoveries have allowed historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists to hypothesize what forms of braids were used. In fact, the first known example of dreadlocks in history is from an ancient Egyptian statue from around 3,000 years ago. Did Vikings wear dreadlocks? This can be problematic for a number of reasons. Still, because long hair was seen as an indicator of social status in many Viking villages, its unlikely that a shaved head was the preferred hairstyle for most Vikings. A significant number of these players are defensive backs, who are less likely to be tackled than offensive players. Most guys fancy these cuts, while others find them to be super girly and retro. The long plaits are indicative of status, while the plain knots and ponytails indicate that the individual may be a commoner. [10] Other authors[11] have speculated that the "dread" component could refer to the reaction of British soldiers upon encountering Mau Mau fighters who had this hairstyle. The first reference to dreadlocks in the Viking age comes from skaldic poetry of the 9th-century skaepiggjo (lit. Bleaching was also a common practice among Vikings. In some cases, the hair may have been braided, but dreadlocks or long hair were never a part of Viking society. are well-known for being fierce Scandanavian warriors, but what were their haircare routines like? You can get them started by backcombing or hand-rolling your hair. [23], Within Tibetan Buddhism and other more esoteric forms of Buddhism, locks have occasionally been substituted for the more traditional shaved head. Although the popular image of the people of the Viking Age is one of wild-haired, dirty savages, this is a false perception. But contrary to popular belief, the Vikings werent solely comprised of warriors. Yes, we know that Vikings braided their hair and it is clearly depicted in several pieces of art made during the time. Well show you all you need to know below. My page provides a springboard for people of colour to engage meaningfully with their history and reflect on its impact today. Viking ponytails could be plain, but could sometimes include a coiled knot at the top of the tail. Genetic research has shown that the Vikings in West Scandinavia, and therefore in Denmark, were mostly red-haired. Additionally, Vikings would have been able to wear their helmets more comfortably by keeping their hair short in the back. Maasai warriors are known for their long, thin, red dreadlocks, dyed with red root extracts or red ochre. Although Leonard Howell wore his hair short, it is said that his guardsmen at the Pinnacle Commune wore locks as a way to portray strength and instil fear. It also makes wearing helmets very uncomfortable if not totally painful. As Viking culture is largely centered on voyaging and exploring, there is no reason to believe that Vikings didnt have significant interactions with Celtic peoples. Dreadlocks are ropes of hair. (The Historical Truth). [4] (Also see What Hairstyles Did Vikings Have?). Although when children are born with naturally matted hair, they are referred to as Dada' and viewed as spiritual beings. . This means they kept the top portion long (typically braided) but cut the sides and back very short. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. There are several depictions of Vikings wearing braids, but this was probably done by warriors or perhaps individuals who were associated with the chieftain in some way. This is probably a reference to dreadlocks, but like most skaldic poems, there is no way of knowing for sure. I certainly find it rather upsetting how vikings are usually portrayed as filthy, leather and fur wearing tattooed barbarians, for example, because it genuinely risks misleading people about historical cultures. Some Vikings likely wore dreads, though most likely sported thick plaits of braids or the reverse mullet hairstyle. What was the original name of the Aztecs? Can Black People Have Red Hair? Dreadlocks showed their importance in society and symbolised their religious roles. Keep reading to discover what hairstyles the Vikings had and how hairstyle affected a Vikings standing in their local community. One of the strongest indicators of occasional shaving or baldness comes, (a Greek historian), who wrote that the prince of Kievan Rus shaved his head completely, except for a lock of hair that hung down on one side.. Did Viking Face Paint Exist? Via Vikings.fandom.com. Another idea says that the locks were part of pagan sacrificial rites, symbolizing fertility and strength. VIKINGS WERE CONSIDERED CLEAN BY JUST EUROPEAN STANDARDS The rest of the world thought they were filthy as shit Europeans considered vikings clean because they washed themselves once a week while Europeans were washing themselves ONCE A YEAR so of course they thought Vikings were clean freaks wanna know what the rest of the world thought of them? It can be possible that the spirituality origin of dreadlocks in Indian culture. Written records from cultures that encountered the Vikings do mention snake-like, roped hair and coiled hair, but there is no specific name mentioned. The main thing that can be agreed on is that Vikings wore plaits in order to keep long hair out of the way. [10] Darker-haired Vikings would use a lye bleaching agent to stain their hair and beards a lighter, straw color. 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. This article will review the current knowledge of how Vikings wore and styled their hair. 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. Not only was hair important in Viking culture, but clothes were, too. This was done either for status or to indicate that the individual had/was about to go into battle. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. | Yes, But Not Always, Written by: Author Olivia Moore |Reviewed by: Editorial Team. 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. But Goldstein doesn't rock his dreads in 11 th Century Scandinavia. 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. Its also been recorded that Germanic tribes, Greeks, and Vikings often wore dreadlocks as all. [18], References:[1] Source[2] Ibid. Want more hair styling guides? [4] Frescoes discovered on the Aegean island of Thera (modern Santorini, Greece) depict individuals with long braided hair or long dreadlocks. Thank you for visiting Scandinavia Facts. 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. [1]. There is a common misconception that dreadlocks are dirty. Irish-Nigerian academic, Emma Dabiri, wrote a book just last year called Dont Touch My Hair in which she details the issues she faced growing up in Dublin and learning to love and accept her own hair. The Romans reported Celtic warriors as having "hair like snakes," which has been taken to imply that they had dreadlocks. Rastafari movement dreadlocks are symbolic of the Lion of Judah which is sometimes centered on the Ethiopian flag. In this article, we will look at the history of Vikings' dreads, their significance, and how to do Viking dreads. These seafaring warriors were known to travel throughout Europe and beyond between the 9th and 11th century, and formed bands spurred on by strong leaders. After all, short hair had some pretty negative associations in Viking culture. Sadly, slavery was a common practice throughout ancient civilizations. The comments made by this lady (who goes on to report Italian, German, and Scottish ancestry) reek of white privilege. Being ignorant to these issues, when we live in an age of information at our fingertips, is not acceptable. Its important to note that historical and archeological evidence suggests that Vikings paid close attention to their grooming. They were simply practical and served their own special purpose according to Viking culture. [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. 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). We exists to inform people about the people, culture, and history of Northern Europe. Talented shipbuilders and sailors, Vikings colonized large swaths of Europe in the period between the 9th and 11th centuries. Did Vikings have dreads first? Eddie . Just look at the predominantly white US protests over the inability to get professional haircuts during lockdown. In many parts of Africa, locks are associated with strength and only worn by warriors. The Celts and Vikings shared several cultural similarities, including hairstyles. When did Vikings start wearing dreadlocks? 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. Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Several cultures throughout history have encouraged their people to wear dreadlocks. Whatever their initial origin, it is without debate that dreadlocks in the modern-day are synonymous with Rastafarianism. Married women and maidens also had different hairstyles. [19] Evidently, dreadlocks are seen in multiple cultures across the world. 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. Vikings were known to have perfect body shapes. 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. This style would have been convenient and practical while moving through daily tasks, exactly like it is today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Yet even then, it was more common for married women to wear coiled buns and unmarried women to wear their hair loose or in a ponytail. We have already seen that Viking warriors would have had a distinct, reverse-mullet haircut to set them apart from men of other professions. There are several reasons to believe this and one of them is the fact that men, in general, were required to wear a mustache in order to join the army. As far as evidence suggests, they did not wear either type of hairstyle. The reasons the Vikings wore dreadlocks isn't clear, but it was likely due to practical and cultural reasons. If youd like to adopt an authentic Viking hairstyle, youll want to know whether these people sported dreadlocks. Ancient Egypt is the true birthplace of dreadlocks. As a result, while some Northern European seafarers might have braided their hair as a habit, they did not invent them. Multiple Cornrows Viking Hairstyles. The history of the name "dreadlocks" is unclear. Show replies. While it seems likely that some Vikings did indeed sport dreadlocks, they clearly weren't the first race or culture to wear them. For example, they could wear long, unbraided hair, hair braided into long rope-like locks, or long on top but short along the back and sides. Depends what kind of dreads you have really, i usually have clean looking neat dreads which I've had for about 8 years now - I . However, braids were likely not the most common hairstyle for most Vikings. Dreadlocks, also known as locs or dreads, are rope-like strands of hair formed by locking or braiding hair. This shows that there were varying degrees of styles within Norse culture, but most likely for practicality rather than anything else. Once the dreads are well-established, you can begin experimenting with different Viking braid patterns. 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. The Polish plait can vary between one large plait and multiple plaits that resemble dreadlocks. Despite this he is still one of the worlds best-selling music artists. Historians believe that some Vikings wore dreadlocks. Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia. Viking men had the most options in terms of acceptable hairstyles. The Vikings would often braid these dreads together to form thick plaits, though they could pull them into tight buns or knots. The cultural appropriation of hairstyles which have a complex and meaningful history is integral to this. An example of this can be seen in several depictions of Viking warriors such as those on Oseberg tapestries. Hair that is viewed as unprofessional on a Black person becomes fashionable when worn by a white counterpart. Without photographic evidence or the existence of art from the period that clearly shows Vikings wearing dreadlocks, its difficult to determine whether their dreads were any more special or different than the deadlock styles favored by other cultures. Required fields are marked *. Afro hair was untidy and unprofessional, while dreadlocks were labelled as unclean. Rather, the Vikings built the trellborgs which were the ring-shaped forts. Numerous books and movies have centered on Vikings and their culture and many people wonder what these powerful seafaring warriors might have looked like, including the question of whether Vikings had dreadlocks. For devotees, Shivas hair is of such importance that the sacred river Ganges is believed to flow from his matted locks. There is also evidence on what Vikings looked like to support that some Viking men wore their hair short, at least in the back, while others may have had shoulder-length hair they brushed back and secured with silk or metal ties and ornaments. People are highlighting the importance of being actively anti-racist and addressing inequalities. The origin of dreadlocks within the Rastafari tradition is a topic of much debate. Both female and male thralls kept their hair shorter than free Norsemen, making them easily distinguishable. It is for this reason Guinness World Records has decided to rest the category and will no longer be monitoring the category for longest dreadlock.[42]. Many Jamaican Rastafarians claimed that Selassie's coronation was evidence that he was the black messiah that they believed was prophesied in the Book of Revelation. Root of David: The Symbolic Origins of Rastafari (No. [39], On 3 July 2019, California became the first US state to prohibit discrimination over natural hair. Similarly, in Mexico, the Spanish recorded the fact that the Aztec priests had their hair untouched, long, and matted. In professional American football, the number of players with dreadlocks has increased ever since Al Harris and Ricky Williams first wore the style during the 1990s. Their use has also been raised in debates about cultural appropriation. Although dreadlocks have been worn continuously by people of colour in Africa, Asia, and the. Viking dreadlocks are slightly different than today's ideas of dreads. Did Vikings Have Dreads? It minimises structural racism and ignores issues of under-representation of people of colour. [2], Vikings also practiced frequent bathing and would comb their hair at least once per day. Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Viking hairstyles and dreadlocks. 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. Viking hairstyles were very practical and often used hairstyles that were supposed to provide some kind of advantage in combat. But it is definitely not a part of the Viking/Norse history or culture. 16. Additionally, notable Vikings throughout the centuries mentioned hair in their epithets. Why do Rastas cover their hair? In some cases, the hair may have been braided, but dreadlocks or long hair were never a part of Viking society. As the stone castle came from the different social structure, the Vikings held dear another one, they had no castle stones. The societal advantage that her skin colour affords means that being told that a decision that she had made could be offensive to other people, seems outrageous to her. [12]. Unmarried girls could wear their hair either loose or braided, to signify their unmarried status in society. 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. Since there is so much evidence that multiple cultures embraced some form of dreadlocks, and no way to determine the exact origins of this style, many people believe that wearing dreads is perfectly acceptable for people of a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It is also believed that Vikings braided their beards when they wanted to give the impression of increased size. Like this post? The history of Viking's dreadlocks is varied and differs depending on who you ask. 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 Celtic dreadlocks influence Viking dreads? In 2012, about 180 National Football League players wore dreadlocks. Nonetheless, the evidence suggests that the Norse took good care of their hair. This erasure of the cultural impact of reggae music, Bob Marley, and Rastafarianism is what makes this cultural appropriation. While similar in appearance, dreadlocks and braids have significant differences in construction, care, and cultural associations. You can even shave a border close to ears for more detail. [11], According to Williams, their hair could be so long that some girls would tuck the ends into their belts. The Celts were their relatively close neighbors to the south. In contemporary media, Viking hair is often shown as twisted into long braids or elaborate knots. to learn more. The Vikings did not have access to the advanced hair care products, synthetic extensions, and teams of professionals it takes to create the Viking dreads we see in dramatic productions. The five myths are: Vikings were dirty and unkempt Vikings wore horned helmets Vikings looked like we do today Vikings' clothing style was admired throughout the world Vikings' appearance was marked by battle wounds MYTH 1: Vikings were dirty and unkempt Unwashed, rough warriors with froth hanging out of the corners of the mouth. Vikings are known to have lived in the area of Northern Europe we now call Scandinavia. Researchers believe that Vikings may have worn both braids and dreadlocks. How Long Does It Take for Nose Hairs to Grow Back? They mentioned that some Vikings had long, rope-like hair. As mentioned above, braiding was associated specifically with men and only those who had proven themselves worthy could braid their hair. Some warriors would perhaps keep their hair longer, but only in the back or on the sides, with it being noticeably shorter everywhere else. Firstly, it ignores the inequalities that exist in society, leaving it up to people of colour to call out what we see as injustices. In some societies hair can represent spiritual connections, whilst different styles can indicate specific rites of passage. So did the Vikings invent dreadlocks? By examining statues and texts discovered from the Viking era, it appears that most Norse warriors wore their hair short, making braids fairly uncommon. Hair was a hot topic. [5]. Were the Vikings more diverse than some modern depictions of them suggest? However it seems nonsensical to suggest this constitutes evidence of the existence of dreadlocks in the early part of the first millennium, let alone using this as the reason why you may wear dreadlocks today. People with dreadlocks are found in a variety of cultures and geographical locations. Most of these stories involve chieftains who grow beards during periods of stress or tension and they are often described to have been very long.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'theidlemen_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-theidlemen_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Probably the most famous Viking beard from history is that worn by jarl Galmr or Galmrs hair an important figure in Norwegian history. The thicker their hair, the more powerful they were. Her comments are consistent with what is known as colour-blind racism. Former NBA player Kenyon Martin accused Lin of appropriating African-American culture in a since-deleted social media post, after which Lin pointed out that Martin has multiple Chinese characters tattooed on his body. I receive dozens of messages a day from people expressing their love for the page and thanking me for creating it. With the Black Lives Matter movement continuing to gain momentum, people are beginning to look at their own internal prejudices as well as the systems which allow racism to continue. Dreadlocks have become a popular hairstyle among professional athletes. From recovered artifacts, historians have determined that hygiene and grooming were very important in Norse society. Yet this hypothesis is unconfirmed; few microscopic studies have been performed on Viking artifacts, and what studies have been done did not yield conclusive results. Did Vikings have dreadlocks? [13] Sometimes, this bun would be covered with a small cap or hood and could be more or less ornate, depending on the wealth of the womans husband. And to add to the overall Viking lookcheck out Did Vikings Wear Makeup? These unfortunate individuals would have their hair shorn short to differentiate them from the long-haired Vikings. The earliest archaeological evidence of locks is found in the mummified remains of Ancient Egyptians as well as from the pre-Colombian Incan civilisation in Peru. Thank you to Wondr. did participate in Viking activities, many also stayed at home to tend to farming, construction, and child-rearing duties. Though modern portrayals of Vikings often depict Norsemen with braids, coils, and dreadlocks in their hair, Vikings did not wear braids often. They wore their hair in many ways, though braids and dreads were likely the most popular hairstyles among Viking men and women.