IShowSpeed Speechless After Learning Dreadlocks Originated from Kenya, Not Jamaica

The world’s most energetic streamer, Darren Watkins Jr.—better known as IShowSpeed—is no stranger to viral moments. However, a recent trip to Jamaica left the American creator speechless.

During a cultural exchange on the island, a local woman revealed that the iconic Rastafarian dreadlock style did not actually originate in Jamaica.

The revelation came during a filmed conversation where Speed asked a straightforward question about the origins of the hairstyle. The answer he received challenged his understanding of Caribbean history.

The Kenyan Connection

Speed initially assumed that dreadlocks were a local Jamaican invention. The lady he was speaking with quickly corrected him. She explained that while Jamaica and the Rastafari movement made the look famous globally, the roots of the style are found in East Africa.

"Dreads, it wasn't invented in Jamaica, but it was popularized through Rastafarians and through Bob Marley,” the lady explained.

Specifically, she cited the Mau Mau warriors of Kenya. These fighters wore their hair in locks while battling British colonial forces during the mid-20th century. The woman described them as "fashionistas" of their era because they were among the first to bring the look to the forefront of a resistance movement.

“The dreadlocks come from two different places. From Kenya with the MAU MAU warriors who were fighting against the colonialists and also Indians,” she added.

The Indian Influence

The history lesson did not stop in Africa. The lady explained that dreadlocks also have a strong connection to India. She pointed to the Sadhus, who are holy men living in the mountains. These spiritual figures have worn matted hair for centuries as part of their religious practice.

Speed was visibly shocked by the mention of the Asian subcontinent. "Wait, India?" he asked repeatedly, clearly trying to process the information. "Like the continent India?"

Indentured Labour and Ganja

The conversation moved to how these influences arrived on the island. After the abolition of slavery, the British brought thousands of indentured labourers from India to Jamaica. According to the lady, these workers brought more than just their labour; they brought their culture and plants.

She explained that ganja was introduced to Jamaica through this Indian migration. Along with the plant came the spiritual ideas of vegetarianism, which eventually became a core part of the Rastafari "Ital" lifestyle.

A Shift in Diet

The lady noted that before these Indian influences, the local diet was often dictated by what was available to enslaved people. This usually consisted of "leftovers" from the slave master’s table, such as pig trotters and cow feet.

The introduction of Indian dietary habits offered a path toward the meat-free lifestyle many Rastafarians follow today. When Speed asked if she personally ate meat, she gave a firm "No."