Start Here Hair Care Styling Did Vikings Have Dreads? Carvings and paintings from archeological excavations depict the ancient Egyptians and the classical Greeks wearing dreadlocks, while Australian Aborigines and Hindu holy men have worn dreads for centuries and many still sport the style today. Dreadlocks were common among the Vikings and in other people who lived in ancient Egypt, Guinea, and Pacific Island. Instead, they use the term locs to describe the style. 3d rendering Digital Download The Vikings would often braid these dreads together to form thick plaits, though they could pull them into tight buns or knots. The style begins with two low-set braids, one on each side of the head. When did Vikings start wearing dreadlocks? Researchers believe that Vikings may have worn both braids and dreadlocks. They wore their hair in many ways, though braids and dreads were likely the most popular hairstyles among Viking men and women. Many Viking men and women had dreadlocks. 15 of the very best Danish TV shows on Netflix, A Guide to the Best Hotels in Copenhagen, Denmark. This means that while there may not be a completely certain answer to the question of whether Viking dreadlocks were really a thing or not, there are some solid suggestions that they were and, surprisingly, perhaps even more than the over the top braids we often see Vikings wear on screen today. Virtually all hair will naturally mat and form dreadlocks if left alone for a period of time. If youre wondering whether this could be true, youre in the right place. to learn more. The importance that they placed in these matters can, in part, be seen in the story about Odin, when the Norse god was distraught after the death of his son and refused to wash or comb his hair for days. Braids can be taken out without causing significant hair damage, whereas dreadlocks need to be teased and matted if they are to be untangled, which may lead to hair breakage. Then, the remaining length of the working cord was either tied off at the back of the head or tucked into a braid to secure it. But many people have heard through the grapevine that Vikings wore dreads in ancient times. Viking warriors were larger than life figures whose very appearance instilled fear in those who stood between them and their bounty. | Yes, But Not Always, Written by: Author Olivia Moore |Reviewed by: Editorial Team. However, not all Vikings had dreadlocks, and hairstyle was often associated with social class. , from thin blonde strands to thick black heads of hair. Home Bath & Beauty Pet Supplies . Ancient Egypt: Several artifacts show Egyptians with braided hair and wigs. These rope-like strands, created by locking or braiding hair, were worn for practical, spiritual and aesthetic reasons. It was a symbol of integrity and strength in chief and warriors. 4.Widely Application: Viking dreadlock beard beads for men and women. The locking method is different for long hair, which is easier to grab and shape. Read on to find out all you need to know about Viking dreadlocks and braids. In addition, it would have protected the wearers hair and kept her warm in the colder months. The term was coined centuries after the Vikings wore dreads, indicating that there was a different word used for Norse dreadlocks. Our content is for informational purposes only. This hairstyle can be wear with any hair length but looks amazing with long hair. Some historians believe that unmarried Viking girls may have worn dreadlocks for special formal occasions or festivals. Such occasions where young women wore their hair up probably included religious observances and special events. I consent to the privacy policy and terms and conditions. Kinky and curly hair textures dread naturally, even with frequent grooming. When you keep your hair long and braided most days, theres a chance that it could naturally begin to form into dreadlocks. Get the Facts, link to Were the Vikings Black? However, not all Vikings had dreadlocks, and hairstyle was often associated with social class. Her well-preserved remains indicate that she was hanged in her mid-20s. Can White People Get Waves? From shamans to warriors, dreads were a staple hairstyle due to the curly nature of African hair. (Also see Heres How the Vikings Proposed and Got Married). 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. We may receive compensation if purchases are made using our links, at no extra cost to you. Vikings are traditionally known for their superior sailing and fighting skills, but they were also attentive to their grooming. Both men and women took great pride in the lavish dread hairdos not only because they enhanced their appearance but because of their meaning. [8]. However, the men seemed to favor dreadlocks or other hairstyles, not any form of braids. The first civilization with a recorded history of dreadlocks is the Minoan Civilization, a group that dates back to 1500 BCE in Crete, an area now within Greece. A popular male Viking dreadlocks style was a shaved head with a long plait of dreads that ran from the top of their head down to the back. ABOUT | BLOG | CONTACT | TERMS | PRIVACY | SITEMAP, GOING NATURAL | HAIR GROWTH | NATURAL HAIR PRODUCTS | HAIRSTYLES. No spam. The woman contends that dreadlocks belong to "my culture," and the man says "it doesn't matter." Cory Goldstein responds to viral dreadlocks video: UPDATED Dreadlocks are essentially. Hej, I'm Astrid and I'm here to show you everything that Scandinavia has to offer - based on my own experience living up here in the Nordics! 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. One of the strongest indicators of occasional shaving or baldness comesfrom Leo the Deacon(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.. Heres How the Vikings Proposed and Got Married, Viking Answer Lady: Viking Age Hairstyles, Haircare, and Personal Grooming. It was considered bad luck to try and brush out the elflocks. AWNL Stockholm: The meteoric rise of Swedish jewellery design, VEJRHJ Watches wood, steel & Nordic minimalism, Meet Larsen and Eriksen: The watch designers from Denmark, Urbanista audio: Scandi designs to suit your lifestyle, Triwa watches: Transforming the watch industry forever. The reality however is that Viking women didnt have conditioner, hair stylists or detangler so their hairstyles had to be practical! The ancient people may simply have worn dreadlocks as a fashion preference. They didnt leave a lot of written records that tell us details about their life, but there are documented accounts from foreign people who have interacted with them that describe Vikings as having long hair that looked like ropes. Their imposing looks reminded opponents of the mythical snake-haired creatures like Medusa, who was feared by many. When the Vikings pillaged resources from villages, they typically gathered people from those areas to take home as slave workers (also. Various ethnic groups in Southern, Northern, and Central America have worn dreadlocks. Ancient Romans alluded to this when they described the Viking dreads as snake-like.. 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. While married Viking women usually tucked their long hair into a high bun, unmarried Viking women wore their hair loose, in braids, or in dreads. After all, weve all seen the TV shows where many Vikings appear to have elaborate braids or long, flowing locks male or female. This hairstyle looks perfect on long hair women and can be worn at any event. All you need to know about Viking weddings, What is a cloudberry? We may never know for sure, but plenty of evidence suggests that both Viking men and women sported this popular ancient hairstyle. This suggests that regular hygiene included cleaning and grooming hair. A sassy and badass look can be obtained with twin bun Viking dreadlocks. Vikings women wore their female Viking dreadlocks differently before and after marriage. While dreadlocks and braids look similar because locks of hair are bunched together, the patterns are different. Dreadlocks were seen as both fashionable and functional by the Vikings. The Celts and Vikings shared several cultural similarities, including hairstyles. Like the rest of Africa, Egypt has some of the most well-documented evidence of ancient dreadlocks. Theres also the matter of the impressions various hairstyles made. There are different hairstyles that you can make with your short dreads but one of the best hairstyles given below. Besides being a symbol of religious and spiritual convictions, it also became an expression of ethnic pride and social standing. 21. So, it is very likely that Vikings wore dreads or braids. We dont take freebies or discounts, so you can always trust what you read on the site. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. As a result, long and ornate hairstyles became associated with a higher status. Unmarried Viking women often wore their hair loose or in untucked braids to symbolize their maidenhood. Popular culture sometimes depicts Vikings with dreadlocks, but modern portrayals arent always accurate. The Vikings are one group that wore dreadlocks, but ancient Egyptians, Pacific Island cultures, and several indigenous African tribes also commonly wear dreadlocks. Did Vikings actually have dreads? 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. Dreadlocks, commonly known as locs or dreads are ropelike hairs. Viking men are often depicted wearing a more practical style, with a shaved undercut and braids at the back. On a female Vikings wedding day, female family members and friends would ritually remove the Kransen, making her new status as a married woman. It was a practical hairstyle Dreadlocks were seen as both fashionable and functional by the Vikings. 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). Freeform locs Dreadlocks formed without intentional manipulation and allowed to form unpredictably. They likely used combs to do this, which were later found by archeologists in Viking burial sites. These caps were square-shaped with a rounded corner to hug the crown of the head. But Viking warriors likely developed dreads while spending long bouts of time away from home. Dreads are easier to maintain and offer a complete and permanent look compared to braided hair. 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. Creating dreads is a long process as they take time to form. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Highlighting someones hairstyle was then a way to suggest something about their nature as people. Viking men were seen with a more masculine style of a shaved undercut and dreadlocks at the back. What Did the Vikings Look Like? They have been documented on nearly every continent, from Asia and the Middle East to North America and Aboriginal Australia. Avoid creamy and thick conditioners as this can cause build-up. Some tribes, like the Kenyan Maasai, colored their dreads with red pigments to differentiate themselves from others. To advertise your brand to a global audience, contact our advertising team below. Your guide to the uniquely Scandinavian fruit, Swedish girl names: The most popular Swedish girls names in one place, Scandinavian Christmas decor: the coolest decorations from the Nordic countries, The best canal tours and boat trips in Copenhagen, The Swedish nature house: living in a greenhouse. She then wrapped the end of this longer braid into the first braided section of hair directly on the back of her head. We hope this article has given you some insight into the rich history behind dreadlocks and answered your questions about Vikings and their dreads. Both Western and Eastern traditions believed the mental, bodily and spiritual energies exit the body via the top of the head and if the hair was knotted, the energy would remain in the head and body, keeping the wearer prosperous and healthy.