Genetic research has shown that the Vikings in West Scandinavia, and therefore in Denmark, were mostly red-haired. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. [3][4], In ancient Egypt, examples of Egyptians wearing locked hairstyles and wigs have appeared on bas-reliefs, statuary and other artifacts. Its possible that some Vikings shaved most of their hair off or went entirely bald. Did Vikings have dreadlocks or braids? This piece was originally published in October 2020. Fortunately, there are some other groups that provide us with an indication of whether Vikings had dreads. Some of the most common relics left over from the Viking age are grooming tools, including hair combs. In ancient India, the god Shiva is depicted with dreadlocks, while illustrations show the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun with braids in around 1300 BC. 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). Berdn, Frances F. and Rieff Anawalt, Patricia (1997). Some claim that dreadlocks originated in India (unlike most who cite Egypt as their birthplace) with the dreadlocked deity Shiva and his followers. There are many reasons why Vikings wore dreadlocks. They are celebrated as bringers of wealth and only their mothers are allowed to touch their hair. Its HAIR, she continues, do what you want with it no matter what race you are!. We think that youll be glad you did. As mentioned above, braiding was associated specifically with men and only those who had proven themselves worthy could braid their hair. There are a few possible reasons Viking warriors might have worn dreadlocks. You may also be interested in: Did Viking Face Paint Exist? Unfortunately, not many sources exist, which can tell us how Vikings kept their hair. Perhaps the most telling comment comes from the pen of English cleric John of Wallingford . 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. As far as evidence suggests, they did not wear either type of hairstyle. "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 Historical Truth). Dreadlocks may have also served practical purposes within every culture in which this style is documented. 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. Did Vikings Have Dreadlocks Or Braids? You Probably Need a Haircut is reader-supported. For hair to be included in Viking titles, hair must have had a high degree of importance in the Norse society. Beard styles were probably the same as those mentioned above and people probably would use whatever was practical to keep their faces warm in the cold climates or avoid catching a cold. As the stone castle came from the different social structure, the Vikings held dear another one, they had no castle stones. Want more hair styling guides? But contrary to popular belief, the Vikings werent solely comprised of warriors. The Vikingshad diverse hair types, from thin blonde strands to thick black heads of hair. Dreadlocks showed their importance in society and symbolised their religious roles. Rather, the Vikings built the trellborgs which were the ring-shaped forts. That said, many cultures Vikings interacted with did keep written records, which is how we know today that Vikings did indeed wear their hair in dreadlocks. So did the Vikings invent dreadlocks? 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. So did the Vikings invent dreadlocks? 17 Daniel Margulies Random thoughts and responses Author has 261 answers and 82.3K answer views 1 y Related In short, no. Thank you for visiting Scandinavia Facts. On the other hand, married women wore their hair up, usually coiled in a bun at the backs of their heads. He wears them in the US,. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. [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. Whatever their initial origin, it is without debate that dreadlocks in the modern-day are synonymous with Rastafarianism. Here are some of the leading theories behind why Vikings may have worn dreadlocks. Some sources suggest they kept a long fringe in the front. 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. 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. Dreadlocks are even mentioned in the Old Testament and by the Greeks. 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. [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. In reality, the Vikings took care with their personal grooming, bathing, and hairstyling. 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. However, not all Vikings had dreadlocks, and hairstyle was often associated with social class. Vikings did not have dreadlocks or long hair, Vikings had short hair with perhaps some matted parts. Viking women had a variety of hair dressings to choose from, including pins, combs, hoods, and rings. The Surprising Truth About Viking Hair Styles and Beards, How to Cut Your Own Hair (Men) at Home? | Absolutely! The Oseberg Tapestry also displays long hair in men, which is indicative of status in society. Now while I'm no Mary Beard, even I can . 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. If youd like to adopt an authentic Viking hairstyle, youll want to know whether these people sported dreadlocks. People are highlighting the importance of being actively anti-racist and addressing inequalities. While it seems likely that some Vikings did indeed sport dreadlocks, they clearly weren't the first race or culture to wear them. The first reference to dreadlocks in the Viking age comes from skaldic poetry of the 9th-century skaepiggjo (lit. We have been written out of history, but @in.hair.itance puts us front and centre. This would have helped warriors in battle, kept helmets settled on their heads, and prevented their enemies from grabbing at their hair. And Rastafarianism wasn't even created until the 1930s in Ethiopia. [1]. This development wasnt probably considered problematic, as it helped keep a warriors hair out of their face. 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. did participate in Viking activities, many also stayed at home to tend to farming, construction, and child-rearing duties. 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. While the Vikings didn't keep written historical records, the people they encountered often did. Most Vikings (men and women) wore their hair in braids. 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. See Were the Vikings black? This is probably because there are no contemporary depictions of Vikings with dreadlocks or any other form of non-shaven hair shown. Virtually all hair will naturally mat and form dreadlocks if left alone for a period of time. 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. 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. The main thing that can be agreed on is that Vikings wore plaits in order to keep long hair out of the way. Personal Grooming in the Viking Age. In contemporary media, Viking hair is often shown as twisted into long braids or elaborate knots. 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. This would have been important for Vikings who were raiding, sailing, or fighting. Your email address will not be published. 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. Did Vikings have dreadlocks? However, the evidence to support this idea is scant. to learn what scientists believe about their faces, hairstyles, clothing, skin color, and more. Some Viking men preferred to wear their hair in a reverse mullet style. Its important to note that historical and archeological evidence suggests that Vikings paid close attention to their grooming. That bun might be left plain, or covered with a small hood or cap. Popular culture sometimes depicts Vikings with dreadlocks, but modern portrayals aren't. But Viking warriors likely developed dreads while spending long bouts of time away from home. In 2012, about 180 National Football League players wore dreadlocks. [19] Evidently, dreadlocks are seen in multiple cultures across the world. Beacon Press. What is known about the Vikings is that they sometimes used lye or other substances to stain or bleach their hair to a lighter shade. What we do know is that Vikings had short hair and they probably kept it at a length where they could tie it up when the occasion called for it, but leave it loose throughout most of their daily lives. [14]. Many Viking men and women had dreadlocks. Viking men had the most options in terms of acceptable hairstyles. Being ignorant to these issues, when we live in an age of information at our fingertips, is not acceptable. . Consequently, having short hair was a sign of disgrace, as it identified you as an enslaved person with fewer rights and freedoms than the average community member. And to add to the overall Viking lookcheck out Did Vikings Wear Makeup? Did Vikings have dreads first? But on the question of Viking dreads, historical sources have something to say about that. Vikings. Well show you all you need to know below. English women loved us Norwegians, we cleaned ourselves and washed our clothes often;) Zhangar 10 yr. ago If youd like to adopt an authentic Viking hairstyle, youll want to know whether these people sported dreadlocks. Dreadlocks have a long history, mainly because many cultures that lived generations before us adapted this 100% natural hairstyle. Vikings did not have dreadlocks or long hair, Vikings had short hair with perhaps some matted parts. Both female and male thralls kept their hair shorter than free Norsemen, making them easily distinguishable. The thicker their hair, the more powerful they were. Coiled ponytails require very long hair, so the women who wore them must have had the resources to care for them. 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. Archeologists in Greenland found the remains of a Viking settlement and concluded that they were not les dreadlocks as they put it. Whether your hair is blonde or brunette, this style is handsome and low maintenance. [17]. to learn more. Not only was hair important in Viking culture, but clothes were, too. The hair would never be longer than shoulder length, with some exceptions. Interestingly, in Nigeria, among both the Yoruba and Igbo people, locked hair is viewed with suspicion when worn by adults. Harald Fairhair and Sweyn Forkbeard were both Viking men of royalty, with mentions of their hair in their bynames. Dreads can differ based on numerous factors, including the texture and thickness of the persons hair, the humidity of the area, and many other personal and environmental factors. Did Vikings have dreadlocks or braids. Viking culture was kept alive through its oral tradition, much of which has been lost over the centuries. Just keep the sides shaved, letting the locks stand out. Recovered carvings from the Viking age also reveal that Norse women wore ponytails in addition to the coiled bun. Answered By: Morgan Cox Date: created: Jul 17 2022. A typical Viking hairstyle would perhaps consist of a mixture of short hair all around with some parts braided or tied up in a bun. It was not common for people back then to shave on created at the time. Viking dreads start in much the same way as any other dreadlock. The typical reference to Viking implies the Norsemen who raided the coasts of England, and these men would not have worn braids. 1. 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. That is, historical evidence suggests that younger Viking women may have worn braids. Married women and maidens also had different hairstyles. 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. As a Status Symbol Historians think dreads served as a status symbol for ancient Vikings. Understanding how Vikings wore their hair is also an excellent way to understand more about Viking culture and practices! The history of Viking's dreadlocks is varied and differs depending on who you ask. Get the Facts, link to Were the Vikings Black? 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. 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. Eddie . Contents show. Sikh men were unable to find work unless they removed their turbans and cut their hair. Our content is for informational purposes only. [10] Darker-haired Vikings would use a lye bleaching agent to stain their hair and beards a lighter, straw color. Ancient Egypt is the true birthplace of dreadlocks. These ornaments could be simple, made from linen or wool, but they could also be more ornate and studded with small gems. Although dreadlocks have been worn continuously by people of colour in Africa, Asia, and the. Required fields are marked *. It minimises structural racism and ignores issues of under-representation of people of colour. As such, many hairstyles women wore in Viking communities were similar in style to masculine hairdos. Vikings were white, yes, and there are claims that the Scandinavian seafarers rocked dreads too. It is also believed that Vikings braided their beards when they wanted to give the impression of increased size. Tags Did Vikings Have Dreads? Hairstyles differed between classes and professions. On the other hand, it is also been suggested that Vikings may have used braids as a way of displaying social status, but this theory has yet to be proven or supported by evidence from the time. Some ancient Egyptian mummies were found to have had dreadlock wigs from 1400 BCE. Save to. Other ancient cultures of dreadlocks included the Greeks and Vikings. 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