A loc by any other name

Let's begin by having a look at some of the terms for locs the world over.

I think beginning with the most famous term "dreadlocks" is as good a place as any to start. This is straight from the Urban Dictionary. It's their top definition, as voted on by the good folks on the interwebs:

dreadlocks 

Also called dreads.

A style created by allowing the hair to matt into locks . . .

Rastafarian

"Although popular myth gives Rastafarians credit for inventing the style, it is almost as old as humanity itself.

"Dreadlocks or similarly matted styles have been worn from Africa all the way to India, Australia, and even Papua New Guinea. Indians call them 'jata', and they are generally worn by adherents of Shiva. Some Austro Aboriginies call them 'goonut' or 'goonat'. It was a popular style around the area now known as Botany Bay in pre-colonial times.

Sadhu with jatas

"The term 'dreadlocks' being used for this style, however, did originate with the Rastafarian movement. To them it symbolises many things including the rejection of conventional western mainstream beauty standards, and the dread some may feel when confronted with the true natural self.

"There is some debate as to whether matted locks that are 'well manicured' should be called dreadlocks, since they are not natty and often require consistent maintenance and a higher degree of perceived vanity."

-- by Niki Lasher

Aboriginal man, with his long hair
wrapped in paperbark strips

Faerie Locks