Stereotypizując fryzurę . Wyobrażenia na temat włosów w doświadczeniach osób noszących dredy w Polsce

Abstract

The article is an anthropological analysis of the symbolism of hair and the socio-cultural meaning associated with hairstyles based on the example of dreadlocks in Poland, explored during field research conducted by the author in 2016–2017. The text presents the symbolism of dreadlocks in various cultural contexts and an analysis of hair stereotypes in the experiences of people wearing dreadlocks in Poland. This hairstyle is part of many cultures, in which it has different names and performs different functions. Depending on the place, it may symbolize the religiosity of an individual, a political manifesto, mourning or fashion. The individual motives to wear such a hairstyle are not always associated with a particular ideology or policy, but the decision to do so is not completely free from significance. The main part of the article, discussing the Polish context, has been based on interviews conducted as part of the author’s M.A. thesis.