"Picnic" Do you know the original term for it?

[afrocentric]

i'm with sumyr.....what's the real thing behind dreadlocks?

[Nyela]

Originally Posted by BlackOpal63

Now I have done a search of this information. And I haven't found it. So my apologies if it has been passed on. But I tell you folks, this is such thought provoking and interesting information. A friend passed this onto me.

This information is in the African American Archives at the Smithsonian Institute.

Although not taught in American learning institutions and literature, it is in most Black history professional circles and literature that the origin of the term "picnic" derives from the acts of lynching African-Americans. The word "picnic" is rooted from the whole theme of "Pick A Ni**er". This is where individuals would "pic" a Black person to lynch and make this into a family gathering. There would be music and a "picnic". ("Nic" being the white acronym for "ni**er"). Scenes of this were in the movie "Rosewood". We should choose to use the word "barbecue" or "outing" instead of the word "picnic".

...Let us educate our people

I can't remember where or from whom, but I heard this some time ago. Thanks for the reminder though. We need to always be aware.

[KMTSista]

Originally Posted by Sumyr

KMTSista, No, I haven't. What does it mean?

well it is "said" (because they try to dispute historical facts), that the term came from back during slavery when black slaves locked their hair, the whites would say their hair looked dreadful being matted together hense the term "dread"locks.

Even with the word picnic websites try to deny it or call it an urban myth, but its true

there are lots of terms that come from slavery, including the word "dozen". IF slaves weren't considered "top quality", i.e. age, poor health etc, they were sold by the dozen

[Sumyr]

well it is "said" (because they try to dispute historical facts), that the term came from back during slavery when black slaves locked their hair, the whites would say their hair looked dreadful being matted together hense the term "dread"locks.

Even with the word picnic websites try to deny it or call it an urban myth, but its true

there are lots of terms that come from slavery, including the word "dozen". IF slaves weren't considered "top quality", i.e. age, poor health etc, they were sold by the dozen

KMTSista, Well damn, you learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info.

[lovesupreme]

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Etymology of Picnic

Above - The real meaning behind the word picnic...

Also...

The meaning behind the word dreadlocks and the style itself:

Dreadlocks

The wearing of dreadlocks is very closely associated with the movement, though not universal among, or exclusive to, its adherents. Rastas believe dreadlocks to be supported by Leviticus 21:5 ("They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in the flesh.") and the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6:5 ("All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.") Part of the reason the hairstyle was adopted was to contrast the kinky hair of black men with the straighter hair of whites.

It is believed that the first Rasta dreadlocks were copied from Kenya in the 1940s, when photos of the independence struggle of the feared maumau insurgents, who grew their "dreaded locks" while hiding in the mountains, were published in a major media publication that reached Jamaica. However, there are ascetic groups within nearly every major religion that have at times worn their hair in this fashion. In addition to the Nazirites of Judaism and the Sadhus of Hinduism, there are the Dervishes of Islam and the Coptic Monks of Christianity, among others. The very earliest Christians may also have worn this hairstyle; particularly noteworthy are descriptions of James the Just, "brother of Jesus" and first Bishop of Jerusalem, who wore them to his ankles. The length of a Rasta's dreads is a measure of wisdom, maturity, and knowledge in that it can indicate not only the Rasta's age, but also his/her time as a Rasta.

Also, according to the Bible, Samson was a Nazarite who had "seven locks". Rastas point out that these "seven locks" could only have been dreadlocks, as it is unlikely to refer to seven strands of hair.

Dreadlocks have also come to symbolize the Lion of Judah (its mane) and rebellion against Babylon. In the United States, several public schools and workplaces have lost lawsuits as the result of banning dreadlocks. Safeway is an early example, and the victory of eight children in a suit against their Lafayette, Louisiana school was a landmark decision in favor of Rastafari rights.

Rastafari associate dreadlocks with a spiritual journey that one takes in the process of locking their hair (growing dreadlocks). It is taught that patience is the key to growing dreadlocks, a journey of the mind, soul and spirituality. Its spiritual pattern is aligned with the Rastafari movement. The way to form natural dreadlocks is to allow hair to grow in its natural pattern, without cutting, combing or brushing, but simply to wash it with pure water.

For the Rastas the razor, the scissors and the comb are the three Babylonian or Roman inventions. So close is the association between dreadlocks and Rastafari, that the two are sometimes used synonymously. In reggae music, a follower of Rastafari may be referred to simply as a dreadlocks or Natty (natural) Dread, whilst those non-believers who cut their hair are referred to as baldheads.

As important and connected with the movement as the wearing of dreadlocks is, though, it is not deemed necessary for, or equivalent to, true faith. Popular slogans, often incorporated within Reggae lyrics, include: "Not every dread is a Rasta and not every Rasta is a dread..."; "It's not the dread upon your head, but the love inna your heart, that mek ya Rastaman" (Sugar Minott); and as Morgan Heritage sings: "You don't haffi dread to be Rasta...," and "Children of Selassie I, don't lose your faith; whether you do or don't have your locks 'pon your head..."

Many non-Rastafari of black African descent have also adopted dreads as an expression of pride in their ethnic identity, or simply as a hairstyle, and take a less purist approach to developing and grooming them, adding various substances such as beeswax in an attempt to assist the locking process. The wearing of dreads also has spread among people of other ethnicities whose hair is not naturally suited to the style, and who sometimes go to great lengths to form them. These artificially acquired dreads worn for stylish reasons are sometimes referred to as "bathroom locks," to distinguish them from the kind that are purely natural. Rasta purists also sometimes refer to such "dreadlocked" individuals as "wolves," as in "a wolf in sheep's clothing," especially when they are seen as trouble-makers who might potentially discredit or infiltrate Rastafari.

Taken from:

Rastafari movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just wanted to give folks this information...

[Africana]

My father taught me this a few years ago. I tell everyone I can.

[Ukali]

Originally Posted by BlackOpal63

This information is in the African American Archives at the Smithsonian Institute.

Where in the "African American Archives" can this information be found??

Or should We just believe it because it appeals to our collective sense of persecution under U.S. rule?

Originally Posted by BlackOpal63

...Let us educate our people

Yes, let's educate our people... with actual facts and credible evidence — not with unsubstantiated hearsay and attention-getting myths.

[JABOOM]

Originally Posted by lovesupreme

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Etymology of Picnic

Above - The real meaning behind the word picnic...

Also...

The meaning behind the word dreadlocks and the style itself:

Dreadlocks

The wearing of dreadlocks is very closely associated with the movement, though not universal among, or exclusive to, its adherents. Rastas believe dreadlocks to be supported by Leviticus 21:5 ("They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in the flesh.") and the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6:5 ("All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.") Part of the reason the hairstyle was adopted was to contrast the kinky hair of black men with the straighter hair of whites.

It is believed that the first Rasta dreadlocks were copied from Kenya in the 1940s, when photos of the independence struggle of the feared maumau insurgents, who grew their "dreaded locks" while hiding in the mountains, were published in a major media publication that reached Jamaica. However, there are ascetic groups within nearly every major religion that have at times worn their hair in this fashion. In addition to the Nazirites of Judaism and the Sadhus of Hinduism, there are the Dervishes of Islam and the Coptic Monks of Christianity, among others. The very earliest Christians may also have worn this hairstyle; particularly noteworthy are descriptions of James the Just, "brother of Jesus" and first Bishop of Jerusalem, who wore them to his ankles. The length of a Rasta's dreads is a measure of wisdom, maturity, and knowledge in that it can indicate not only the Rasta's age, but also his/her time as a Rasta.

Also, according to the Bible, Samson was a Nazarite who had "seven locks". Rastas point out that these "seven locks" could only have been dreadlocks, as it is unlikely to refer to seven strands of hair.

Dreadlocks have also come to symbolize the Lion of Judah (its mane) and rebellion against Babylon. In the United States, several public schools and workplaces have lost lawsuits as the result of banning dreadlocks. Safeway is an early example, and the victory of eight children in a suit against their Lafayette, Louisiana school was a landmark decision in favor of Rastafari rights.

Rastafari associate dreadlocks with a spiritual journey that one takes in the process of locking their hair (growing dreadlocks). It is taught that patience is the key to growing dreadlocks, a journey of the mind, soul and spirituality. Its spiritual pattern is aligned with the Rastafari movement. The way to form natural dreadlocks is to allow hair to grow in its natural pattern, without cutting, combing or brushing, but simply to wash it with pure water.

For the Rastas the razor, the scissors and the comb are the three Babylonian or Roman inventions. So close is the association between dreadlocks and Rastafari, that the two are sometimes used synonymously. In reggae music, a follower of Rastafari may be referred to simply as a dreadlocks or Natty (natural) Dread, whilst those non-believers who cut their hair are referred to as baldheads.

As important and connected with the movement as the wearing of dreadlocks is, though, it is not deemed necessary for, or equivalent to, true faith. Popular slogans, often incorporated within Reggae lyrics, include: "Not every dread is a Rasta and not every Rasta is a dread..."; "It's not the dread upon your head, but the love inna your heart, that mek ya Rastaman" (Sugar Minott); and as Morgan Heritage sings: "You don't haffi dread to be Rasta...," and "Children of Selassie I, don't lose your faith; whether you do or don't have your locks 'pon your head..."

Many non-Rastafari of black African descent have also adopted dreads as an expression of pride in their ethnic identity, or simply as a hairstyle, and take a less purist approach to developing and grooming them, adding various substances such as beeswax in an attempt to assist the locking process. The wearing of dreads also has spread among people of other ethnicities whose hair is not naturally suited to the style, and who sometimes go to great lengths to form them. These artificially acquired dreads worn for stylish reasons are sometimes referred to as "bathroom locks," to distinguish them from the kind that are purely natural. Rasta purists also sometimes refer to such "dreadlocked" individuals as "wolves," as in "a wolf in sheep's clothing," especially when they are seen as trouble-makers who might potentially discredit or infiltrate Rastafari.

Taken from:

Rastafari movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just wanted to give folks this information...

Also kkkrackas call our hair DREADFUL another source of the term Dreadlocks

[Khalliqa]

I just don't like eating outside with bugs!




Salaam....
Khalliqa