Sunday, April 12, 2015

Loc'd up in Botswana


 

Loc'd Up not Locked Up

You didn't think I meant that literally right? Me locked up?! hunh hunh. I was talking about hair. You know, having locs, dreads, sister locs, cultivated locs, uncultivated locs and everything else. 

There will be very little commentary in this post. I want you to appreciate the loc journeys of people here in Botswana. I will not give my general analysis of the loc culture here in Botswana. But what I will say is Batswana hairstylist incorporate a tradition basket and weaving technique into their styles that truly reflects their tradition and culture.

With that said, I hope you enjoy the photos and interviews!















   
 
Matlhodi

How long have you had your locs and why did you start your locs? 
  • 4 years
  • First set of locs-trims them so they are manageable
  • Had sensitive hair and the perm burnt her scalp so she decided to do locs
 
    How do you feel about being associated with Rastafarians?

"It’s okay. I am a vegetarian. I love Rastafarians.  I love their culture, the way they eat and everything. My adopted son was my inspiration for my love of Rastafarians. My son who is in New Zealand is a Rastafarian. He is a Motswana from Molapay. I have no trouble with him being Rastafarian. Last year my daughter cut her hair (her locs) and I was so touched because I love dreadlocks."

Would you ever cut your locs?  She would never cut her locks, never.

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Kebaneilwe

How long have you had your locs and why did you start your locs?
  • Started second set of locs around 2009
  • "I guess I had an interest in it. It's cheap to maintain and I like to look natural"

Would you ever cut your locs?
 '' No, (not the second set) because I like them, I think I look good in them''.


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Keineetse
How long have you had your locs and why did you start your locs?

·         4 years

·         ‘’My sisters and mother had the same hairstyle and im too lazy to do other hairstyles. Its simple and affordable.

Would you ever cut your locs?
''Yeah, soon very soon. Just to change the style and also my one sister cut her locs and the other one is about to cut ''
 

 
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MARK 
Exchange student perspective

How long have you had your locs and why did you start your locs?

·         3 weeks, they are very young

·         ‘’I got them because I’ve had some inner struggles with self esteem. I came out of my shell and become the person I am meant to [be]. Recently I wanted to [try] locs because I founded it very beautiful like getting your ears gagged. [Getting locs] made me nervous about how people would receive it” What influenced Mark to get locs was the Rastafarian background. In addition to that he said he had ‘’spiritual reasons and the biggest part of spirit is self’’. 

Would you ever cut your locs?
'' It’s questionable. I only planned on having them until May (after graduation) but it’s unknown at this point. But in the grand scheme of things, I would cut them’’. 



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Motswafere’

How long have you had your locs and why did you start your locs?
  • ‘’I reconnected my hair in 2015. This is my second set of locks. I had my first set of locks in 2009 and then cut them off because of church. They thought the dreads had demons like I was possessed and because I am a musician I thought it would be authentic to be myself…I also sing in French. [Having locs] it is true to who I am."
Would you ever cut your locs? ''I don't think so.''

   
 
 
 

 
 











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Koketso

How long have you had your locs and why did you start your locs?
"I started twisting more than 5years ago, I always wanted long hair but I hated using a comb"
 
Would you ever cut your locs?
"I can't imagine myself with any other hair style, the locks are more me, they are more natural"



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Thato

·         Had her locks for two years. She loves the natural look although wearing an afro is too much work to keep up. She would never cut her locs for a man or anyone else. If a man did not like her natural hair especially after meeting her as she rocked her natural hair, then he would be the one getting cut.  If there were some health issues linked to her locs (ie. too heavy for her back, hair falling out, etc etc) then she would consider cutting them. The only way she would cut her locs  is if her hair stylist passed away. She is that serious about her locs and only trusts one person to care for them. Other than that, her locs are going nowhere. N.O.W.H.E.R.E. Nowhere.











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