So pretty much, I had about 6 inches of hair about 2 months ago. i was waiting until christmas break to dread my hair using backcomb method. however, I was having a really really bad hair day and hated the way it looked long and not dreaded. so I shaved it one night and now 2 months later, i totally regret it. I could have backcombed tomorrow! That was the expected day! UGHHHH, Why was I so ignorant? Gah, now I am starting the journey again. i might go natural this time, idk yet though. Man, I am in deep depressed regret mode now Sorry for the vent, im just really mad at myself!
I know what you mean man, I've had a day I randomly shaved it all off, and since then it's been a process of growing back and waiting :/ If dreads will teach you anything, it'll be patience. Best of luck!
yea and patience is my least favorite thing! ill try natural and maybe backcomb a little when it gets longer.
nah...be grateful that you shaved your head cuz now you'll really learn patience! I had thee most beautiful dreads when I was 17 and then I cut them at the age of 19 to get a job working in yosemite, however, I didnt just cut them I had to shave my head....big mistake. About 2 years later my hair was almost shoulder length and I decided to dread it again. So, I backcombed the hell out of it and let it go. Well, 6 months in I got impatient because they looked nothing like my previous set had and they were just a serious mess....so in a frustrated impatient frenzy I brushed them out and my hair was so damaged that I had to cut it short again. 1 year later my hair was chin length and I decided to dread it again! lol. So, I did. But I still wasnt ready to wait, learn, and be patient....cuz the same thing happened about 7months later!!!!!! Guess what? I did that 2 more times after that! Now Im at 2.5 months into my 6th set!!!!!! But it feels right this time around because Ive finally realized that I have all the time in the world!!! I no longer compare my dreads to my first perfect set or to anybody elses. They are what they are and they make me happy. So...the biggest lessons to learn in dreading your hair is PATIENCE and ACCEPTANCE!!!!!! These 2 qualities will make you a happier person and with time give you killer dreads! So be patient young grasshopper! =]
oh and one more thing....please dont be mad at yourself! its just a learning experience...it was meant to happen!
going natural might not work for you, if you say you got annoyed with it being long and undreaded. the natural way takes a long time of it being a mess. but yeah patience is key!!
You're not alone in your passion to have great dreadlocks! Just remember, hakuna matata! (means "no worries" )
I'll give you much respect if you can tell me how that quote relates to dreadlocks. (This trivia question is extended to all btw)
patience is my least favourite thing too but you realli need it with dreads. just forget about your hair (or lack of) good dreads=patience and acceptance like mandy said it's hard but will be soo worth it in a few years. It may seem like a long time now but who cares? You will arrive there and it's an exciting adventure
well the only relation I see with Hakuna Matada and dreadlocks is the fact that its from the lion king....and the lion is the symbol of the conquering tribe of Judah...which has significant rasta meaning. To some folks dreads also symbolize the lions mane and the lion is the king just as Hailie Sellasie....so having dreads shows your faith and devotion to God and H.I.M. Is that a far stretch? Haha...other than that you got me beat too!
haha good try, really! Ok, so I'll spill it: "Hakuna Matata" is not only from the Lion King, but is an actual language known as Kiswahili spoken in East Africa (where I'm from! woo!). In Kenya, during the 1950's a rebel group known as the 'mau mau rebellion' fought British rule for Kenyan independence. The 'mau mau' not only spoke Kiswahili, but also sported long dreads to protest and intimidate the white colonials. The 'mau mau' group was said to have adopted the style from the warrior tribe 'maasai' which still exists today, and they still dread it. The maasai are said to be the true origin of the African dreadlock. The mau mau had a quote they used to chant: "Mzungu Aende Ulaya — Mwafrika Apate Uhuru". Which means, "Let the white man go (back) to Europe; let the African attain freedom." So I decided to make some changes myself: "Mzungu na Mwafrika waungane wapate uhuru pamoja". Which means, "Let the White man and African unite to attain freedom together!" So there you go! This concludes dreadlock trivia/swahili lesson for today.
if you dont have the patience to wait a few more months, maybe dreads are not right for you.:cheers2:
aww thanks kijabe for that trivial knowledge! Fascinating indeed! I would love to learn more and I love your modified chant...."Mzungu na Mwafrika waungane wapate uhuru pamoja"! Blessings
To the OP, You were getting close to the length you wanted for backcombing, You say that you were having a bad hair day, and hated the way it looked long and not dreaded, so you shaved it off.. And now you are thinking about the neglect methoid......DUDE, you will have nothing but a bad hair day for the next year if you go that route.
