Dreadlocks
Also spelled: dreads, locks, natty dread
Meaning
Hair grown and matted into rope-like strands, worn by Rastafari as a spiritual commitment rather than a style. The locks express a covenant with Jah and a refusal of Babylon's grooming, drawing on the Nazarite vow of the Bible.
Examples
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“Him a grow him dreadlocks from him a yout.”
He has been growing his dreadlocks since he was young.
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“Har locks reach har waist.”
Her locks reach her waist.
'Locks' alone is the most common short form.
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“Dem call him natty dread.”
They call him natty dread.
'Natty' (knotty) dread is an affectionate name for a locksman.
Origin
From 'dread', in the sense of the awe or fear the wearer's appearance was said to inspire in outsiders, plus 'locks' for the matted strands. Rastafari cite the Nazarite vow in Numbers 6, which forbids cutting the hair.
How it's used
For Rastafari the locks are sacred, not fashion. Referring to them casually as a hairstyle can read as dismissive of that meaning.