Researchers have found Roman writings that claim that Germanic tribes and Vikings were known to sport dreadlocks and that the Celts styled their hair “like snakes.” It is believed that both Viking men and women wore dreadlocks.
Unmarried Viking women kept their long hair loose, in braids, or in dreads, while married Viking women typically wore their long hair up in a high bun.
The easiest way to prevent adversaries from seizing a Viking’s hair in battle would have been to wear it in this manner. Keeping their hair short in the back would also have made it more comfortable for Vikings to wear their helmets.
Dreadlocks originally appeared on Egyptian artefacts in ancient Egypt, which is where the first examples of the hairstyle are thought to have originated. Even mummified dreadlocked ancient Egyptian skeletons have been discovered at archaeological locations.
Today, locks are popular all across the world, which has spurred a discussion on the sometimes abused concept of cultural appropriation.
While it would be presumptuous to claim that dreadlocks belong to one specific culture, as evidenced by a quick internet search, it is certain that the cultural appropriation advocates react in this way given the frequency with which hairstyles typically.
Worn by African-Americans are perceived as “unprofessional” or “dirty” on them but are deemed “cool” on others, whether worn as a political statement, motivated by spiritual conviction, or for no other reason than fashion.
Were Vikings Dreadlock Special?
To intimidate their adversaries in combat or, maybe more simply, to keep their hair out of their eyes while fighting, Viking warriors frequently wore long braids or dreadlocks. The Vikings might have worn a large variety of dreadlock styles.
Some male hairstyles feature a fully shaved head with a lengthy plait of dreads extending from the top of the head to the back.
Other hairstyles include cornrows all over the head, a looser ponytail of dreads growing from the top of the head, and shaved sides with a dreadlock man bun.
Although the truth may have been wilder and less tidy, female styles are frequently portrayed as long and flowing. However, combs have been found in Viking burial sites, so we do know that the Vikings had combs.
It is clear that the Vikings valued having neatly coiffed hair. There are also plenty of unisex looks that flatter both sexes, such as dreadlocks with a crisscross pattern, Viking mohawk dreads and undercuts with dreads.
Although there is no written documentation of what the Vikings would have named dreadlocks, their neighbours, the Celts, had their own variation of the hairstyle that they called “elflocks.”
Did The Vikings Invent The Dreadlock?
No. The Celtics, Germanic tribes, and Vikings were said to have worn their hair in rope-like strands according to Roman archives.
Even the earliest Christians are thought to have paid homage to Samson, who had seven locks of hair, by wearing their hair in dreadlocks.
One of Europe’s ancient civilizations, the Minoan Civilization, centred in Crete, has some of the earliest representations of dreadlocks dating back to 1600–1500 BCE (now part of Greece).
Vikings would not have named the braids in their hair dreads at all because the word dreadlocks is thought to have originated in the Rastafarian movement.
Viking’s Dreadlocks And Celtic Flocks
The noble class had complex braids that were frequently ornamented, and both men and women in the Celtic culture wore their hair long.
Braids served the straightforward purpose of keeping the hair out of the way for the working class while they did their jobs. The Romans gave the Celtic homeland the appellation “Long-Haired Gaul” or “Gallia Comata” because the ancient Celts had such a striking haircut.
The Celtic warrior class valued long hair as a status symbol, and some hairdos may have had spiritual significance for the warriors who favoured them.
Dreadlocks today are a symbol of spirituality, natural and supernatural power, non-violent non-conformity, communalism and socialist beliefs, and sympathy with oppressed or underprivileged minorities.
Also Read : Did The Female Vikings Warriors Paint Their Faces?
Were Dreadlocks Important To The Vikings?
There isn’t a lot of specific information on the Vikings because they didn’t produce a lot of written or documented history. The oral tradition of the Vikings, which has mostly been lost over the years, served to preserve their culture.
The majority of what we do know comes from documented chronicles of other cultures’ interactions with the Vikings. Some Vikings, according to Roman writers, had long hair that resembled ropes. The wearing of braids or dreads by Vikings is therefore quite likely. In addition, Vikings wore the following hairstyles:
- Ponytails and mohawks
- Braids
- Backward mullets
Vikings often interacted with Celtic peoples because they were nearby. It is commonly known that the Celts wore their hair in dreadlocks, and the Vikings might have been influenced to do the same.
Cultural Significance Of Dreadlock Among The Vikings
The results of a short search on the history of dreadlocks will come from a variety of sources, but they all point to the same general idea: Dreadlocks have existed for a very long time among several different peoples and civilizations.
Regardless of their background or race, people living in past civilizations were most likely walking about with matted hair since they lacked the tools and cosmetics we today use to style our hair.
Some of the earliest representations of dreads, for instance, come from ancient Greece and date to 3600 BC. In fact, long braided hairstyles are seen on people in frescoes found in Thera (modern-day Santorini) and Crete, the origin of the Minoan civilisation.
Ancient Egyptians wearing braided hairstyles have been depicted on bas-reliefs and other artefacts (and even wigs). As a result, during the Iron and Bronze Ages, several civilizations from Asia Minor, the Caucasus, the Near East, the East Mediterranean, and North Africa have been shown with locking hairstyles.
Researchers have found Roman writings that claim that Germanic tribes and Vikings were known to sport dreadlocks and that the Celts styled their hair “like snakes.” Dreads are also worn throughout Africa, particularly among the Maasai, the Ashanti, the Galla, and the Fulani tribes.
The style has been worn for millennia by the Aborigines and native inhabitants of New Guinea. But possibly the most well-known Rastafarian of our time is Bob Marley, a musical legend who most likely promoted the movement through his music.
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Illustrations of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun from around 1300 BC show him with braids, while the Hindu god Shiva is shown with dreadlocks in ancient India.
The Akrotiri Boxer Fresco, which was discovered on the Greek island of Santorini, depicts two teenage boxers wearing braids, proving that the ancient Greeks also wore their hair in dreadlocks.
Is There A Difference Between Dreadlocks And Braids?
As a result, during the Iron and Bronze Ages, several civilizations from Asia Minor, the Caucasus, the Near East, the East Mediterranean, and North Africa have been shown with locking hairstyles.
Researchers have found Roman writings that claim that Germanic tribes and Vikings were known to sport dreadlocks and that the Celts styled their hair “like snakes.” Dreads are also worn throughout Africa, particularly among the Maasai, the Ashanti, the Galla, and the Fulani tribes.
The style has been worn for millennia by the Aborigines and native inhabitants of New Guinea. But possibly the most well-known Rastafarian of our time is Bob Marley, a musical legend who most likely promoted the movement through his music.
The easiest way to prevent adversaries from seizing a Viking’s hair in battle would have been to wear it in this manner. Keeping their hair short in the back would also have made it more comfortable for Vikings to wear their helmets.
To intimidate their adversaries in combat or, maybe more simply, to keep their hair out of their eyes while fighting, Viking warriors frequently wore long braids or dreadlocks.
FAQs
1. Did Vikings have dreads hair?
It is believed that both Viking men and women wore dreadlocks. Unmarried Viking women kept their long hair loose, in braids, or in dreads, while married Viking women typically wore their long hair up in a high bun. Rich people added brilliantly coloured ribbons and ornamented caps to their hairstyles.
2. Who wore dreadlocks first?
Dreadlocks actually originated in ancient Egypt. Dreadlock wigs dating back to 1400 BCE have been discovered on several mummies from ancient Egypt.
Based on the sequence of other historical events, these mummies provide strong proof that dreadlocks first appeared in ancient Egypt.
3. Why did Vikings dread their hair?
To intimidate their adversaries in combat or, maybe more simply, to keep their hair out of their eyes while fighting, Viking warriors frequently wore long braids or dreadlocks.
While it’s possible that some Vikings had dreadlocks, it’s obvious that they weren’t the first people of their race or culture to do so.
4. Which cultures had dreadlocks?
Dreads are also worn throughout Africa, particularly among the Maasai, the Ashanti, the Galla, and the Fulani tribes.
The style has been worn for millennia by the Aborigines and native inhabitants of New Guinea.
Also Read : Everything About Viking Women’s Clothing
