Many people believe that Dreadlocks originated from Rastafarian culture in Jamaica and are therefore unique to African people; however, studies of a variety of ancient civilizations has lead many historians to believe that the origination of dreadlocks is a universal and often independent phenomenon that is unattributable to one particular sect or racial group.

Although we are unable to officially identify the first civilization to wear dreadlocks, through the study of historical data and artifacts we can point to multiple civilizations in which dreadlocks were present.

The ancient Egyptians have arguably one of the most well-preserved recorded histories and it’s from this east African country that we garner our first evidentiary record of dreadlocks.  Egyptologists have uncovered statues and artifacts depicting individuals with dreadlocks and dreadlocks wigs.  It is believed that Egyptians adorned their dreadlocks with ornamental jewelry and although some argue that locks served as a status symbol, mummified remains of both royalty and reg
ular citizens shows us that dreadlocks were not reserved for the upper class.  Apart from ancient Egyptians, other civilizations boast dreadlocks as well.

A dreadlocked Samson fights the lion in this drawing from a 15th century Icelandic manuscript.

Between 2500 and 500 BCE, we find the first written record of dreadlocks via India and the Vedic scriptures.  The religion of the Vedics is believed to have given birth to modern-day Hinduism and Buddhism.  It is written that Shiva, the supreme God in Shaivism (a main branch of Hinduism), wore twisted locks of hair.  Through warfare and migration, the Vedic religion spread throughout the territory known as modern day Europe and in turn influenced Celtic culture and spirituality.  Due to Vedic influence on the Celts, reports indicate that they too wore dreadlocks. 

The fact that Celts wore dreadlocks helps put an end to the theory that dreadlocks are uniquely African and incapable of being understood and worn by European descendents.  From the Viking, Greeks, Germanic tribes and peoples of the Pacific Ocean, numerous civilizations and religious sects have reportedly worn dreadlocks.  Thus although the racial origin is not clear, dreadlocks presence in a variety of ancient cultures indicates that it is arguably one of the world’s oldest and universally accepted of all hair styles.  One factor that may explain this globalization is through the spread of religion.