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They measure 19 feet, 6 inches long. When dry, they weigh four pounds. When wet, at least 10 pounds. Asha Mandela has the longest dreadlocks in the world, making her an official Guinness World Record holder.
For Asha, it's more than just a hairstyle. It is a way of life and an expression of self.
"When I started growing my locks, I suddenly became very overprotective of them, as I felt they beheld all my energy, wisdom, knowledge and understanding and my over all strength. So I twisted, groomed and maintained them for myself... to the present," she explained in a recent e-mail interview.
Caring for hair of that length requires a lot of time, and a LOT of products. Check out how many bottles of shampoo she uses to wash her hair!
Asha swears by Allways Natural Isogro Conditioning Hairdress and good old fashioned olive oil to massage and treat her scalp.
Look out for more YouTube videos from Asha. She promises a video detailing her hair-dying process next. I think Asha's locks are beautiful and inspiring and represent what the true meaning of locks are to those who grow them for spiritual reasons. It's so more than a hairstyle for many who grow them.
Do you wear locks? What are your views about your hair? Is it just a style, or is it also a spiritual expression for you?
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
Wigs: The 1960s
The Supremes must have had a ball dressing in the latest fashions AND hottest hairstyles every time they stepped outside the door. They all wore top-of-the-line wigs, which gave them a different look every night.
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
The Afro: The 1970s
Angela Davis was the poster child for the Afro during the late '60s and '70s with a this perfectly coiffed orb o' hair. Davis said she had to put Tide detergent in hers to make it stand up just so. Afro pick!
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
The Flip: The 1970s
Natalie Cole is the perfect representation of the '70s here with the flip -- hair curled upward in layers made most popular by actress Farrah Fawcett. Her gold hoops and wide collar cement the look.
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
The Jheri Curl: The 1980s
Who could even think about the '80s without thoughts -- or shudders -- of the ubiquitous jheri curl? Everybody had a curl back then and the jokes about activator on pillowcases lasted much longer than the hairstyle ever did. Soooooooul Glow!
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
The Shag: The 1980s
We all sang the line "in my younger days I used to sport a shaaaaag?" The Pharcyde remembers and so do we! The uber-retro Kanye West even brought back the "black man's mullet" this year. Oh yes.
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
The High Top Fade or Box: The 1980s
With the rise of hip-hop in the mid-to-late '80s, a hairstyle rose right along with it -- the high top fade. Hair is shaped into a box shape (of varying heights) and the sides are gradually "faded" down. Will Smith was a man of the day.
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
Razor Cuts: The 1980s
Later in the '80s, the high top fade morphed into the skyscraper with accents cut in with a razor. By the end of this fad, people had faces, names and designs in their hair and eyebrows. Rapper Big Daddy Kane keeps his crispy fresh with a barber on staff.
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
Waves: The 1980s
Waves, such as the ones Tracy Morgan sports here, reached their peak in the '80s. The effect is gotten from grease, water, a brush and a doo-rag or scarf to lay the hair down in a pattern. If your hair was not naturally curly, Nu Nile or S-Curl was the way to go.
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
Fingerwaves: The 1980s
Fingerwaves, worn here by Keyshia Cole, were actually a reprise of yet another era -- the 1920s. This flat, to-your-head style, tended to be hard to the touch. Helmet city!
Black Hairstyles Through the Years
The Asymmetric: The 1980s
This hairstyle ruled the late '80s. Salt 'n' Pepa bust out with it in the 'Push It' video, and they pushed it to us in different colors even. Best. Hairstyle. Ever. Oooh baby baby!
Comments: (131)
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By: cheaperbird8 on 7/15/2010 10:19PM
is she related to the other mandela..???...talk about too much time on your hands..i would rather drink and get high and scru..!
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By: Grace on 7/16/2010 9:52AM
Having hair that long is screwed up, and I would guess there is a disorder lurking there of some sort.
That said, this woman maintains her her very well, and is certainly no slob. And Rich you are such an ass.
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By: Asha Mandela on 7/16/2010 6:45PM
Grace... thanks for your comment...though a contradiction... having long hair is not screwed up, its an individual choice that has to do with culture and spirituality and a way of life as in going natural.(in everything there is positive and negative) Be specific...are you talking about all hair types or just locks ?? then i guess "Crystal Gayle" is screwed up and has had a lurking disorder all her life...
With that said..thanks for defending me with "rich"
One Luv...
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By: zoey on 7/15/2010 10:26PM
rapunzel rapunzel let down your dreads! haha sorry couldn't resist BTW did you see her fingernails?? I think my fingernails would break if i had to wash super long hair like that!
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By: stare k on 7/15/2010 10:43PM
AllI can say about locks .They look like a
DIRTY- MOP. I HATE THEM. they don't make you /your apperence look neat @ all. I like for my hair to be neat @ all times . And yes I am a sister.
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By: Asha Mandela on 7/16/2010 1:39AM
Stare K ...Remember it takes all kinds of people to make this world and to each his own. Not becaue you like your hair neat at all times...it means you have to hate locks..."hate" is a strong word my sista...and dirty mop??? not my locks...there are natural unlocked hair thats dirtier than mops...does that make them better...
Look around you my sista........
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By: sisterlocsister on 7/17/2010 10:28PM
Its to bad you have been taught not to like your natural self. Thats the problem with in the community of African originated people. European qualities have been dumped on us so long that we don't know who we are, or how beautiful we are with what the creator has blessed us with naturally. Did you know that the chemicals in perms and such have carcer causing agents???
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By: sistersisterlocs on 7/17/2010 11:08PM
stare k- might I add, I also like my hair to be neat and in place.......Not only have I seen many, many, locks that are neat and in place, I've seen locks styled very beautiful..much nicer than some of the permed heads that I see....My hair is locked and healthier and more beautiful then it ever was permed......I won't tell you what you should do, think, or say...but I can share my experience and opinion with you.....Natural is beautiful....Being the me that God created has always been more fulfilling for me....I am 48 yrs old and had gone natural on and off over the years since I was a teenager......I finally made a decision 2 years ago to lock, because I dont' intend to ever put chemicals in my hair again......Have you ever had natural hair??? Do you know the real you???
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By: rootsyd on 8/10/2010 3:42PM
gee you must be one those who swear up and down chemicalized perms that can burn holes through the hood of car is obviously neater, healthier and nicer for ur hair...sista. self hate is a helluva drug.
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By: Cathryn in NY on 7/15/2010 10:47PM
Asha, you are beautiful and your hair is beautiful, too! What a nice story about a nice lady. Best wishes to you (and your hair, too, LOL)
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