life expectancy ?

topic posted Wed, January 28, 2009 - 3:11 PM by  nicole
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anyone know anything about how long the life of dreads can be ? i would like this set to be the set i have for a very long time. i knew someone who had them roughly 10 years and it seems like 5 -6 years for most people seems to be average.
anyone had them for a very long time ?
posted by:
nicole
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  • Re: life expectancy ?

    Wed, January 28, 2009 - 3:21 PM
    Took mine out not long ago-was'nt really pleased withe results,but I'm on my way to a rainbow gathering where I have this new concept that I think will work for me until the day I die and I hope to find somebody at greatful dreads camp to do it for me.Pretty much single or a few multiple strands,beads maybe, and let my natural thick and curly hair do the rest.Alot of women love my hair and would die for it,but say cut it off and be real...whatever that means.Dreads seem to get the same disrespect.Hope to have pictures when I come back in March-but there never is any time long enough in eternity.
  • Re: life expectancy ?

    Sun, February 1, 2009 - 10:02 AM
    Some people do have long term dreads (ie. long enough to grow to 8 meters long, and longer!!)..

    Indian Sadhus grow their dreads for many years (check some of these LONGGG dreads, or as they call them "Jata"): www.flickr.com/search/

    When I lived in Jamaica, I met many older Rastamen with very longg dreads (altho not as long as the sadhus jata).

    In North America, I haven't met anyone that had their dreads for longer than 20 yrs., altho I'm sure they're out there somewhere! ;)
    • Re: life expectancy ?

      Mon, February 2, 2009 - 9:02 AM
      wow ! the pics were cool. thanks for the info.
      i wonder why people here dont keep them as long ?
      • Re: life expectancy ?

        Thu, February 5, 2009 - 9:27 PM
        In my opinion, it seems that the people who keep them for longer seem to have more of a deeper, more spiritual/religous meaning for their dreadlocks than the ones (who I've known) that have them more as a hairstyle (and end up cutting them prematurely).

        When people do 'em as merely a hairstyle (with no deeper meaning), they seem easier to cut off when the novelty wears off (or it doesn't 'suit' them anymore). Alternatively, when one believes that a higher force has commanded u to never cut ur hair, etc., or that they are holy, magical things.. it's obviously beyond just looks or comfort, and so they remain, and growww!
        • Re: life expectancy ?

          Mon, February 9, 2009 - 6:49 AM
          Great photos and info on Jatadhari Shiva, thanks!

          I tell people for me it's not a hairstyle, it's a lifestyle. I believe that says it all.
          • Re: life expectancy ?

            Wed, February 11, 2009 - 12:38 AM
            I'm glad u enjoyed the pics.. I love looking @ 'em as well.. and dreaming of the potential..! :D
            • Re: life expectancy ?

              Tue, April 14, 2009 - 5:35 PM
              i've had been for just about 10 yrs. they mean a lot to me that's for sure, which i won't go into on here, but feel free to send me a private message if you want to know more. i think i would miss them considerable if i cut them all off. the thought has been crossing my mind a lot lately for a variety of reasons. i'm think about cutting them to my shoulders as I just don't want to lose them. what do you guys think about this? I've cut them in the past but nothing as major as this. does anyone here any any experience with cutting their dreads and how they respondning and what not. Mine don't seem to be growing as much since my last cut so to speak.
              • Re: life expectancy ?

                Mon, April 20, 2009 - 6:51 PM
                I've cut off random locks here and there (as well as small trims). I had some that had not formed well, and couldn't stand 'playing with' them anymore. Since my hands are so often in my hair, I let them be the boss, and cut off whatever didn't feel 'right'. We all get along quite well now that the troublemakers have been removed ;p

                Anyway, I can imagine your locks must be quite longgg by now, and a cut would probably take some of the strain off of your neck - at least you're not losing 'em all! You could even just get a 3 inch trim all around to 'feel' the difference that that makes, and decide to get more trimmed, or stay there.

                Good luck with your decision - and your dreads! :)

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