The Loc Trend,Campus Revolution

By Glory Kaunda.

Vibrant shades everywhere: Thick rope like strands of hair swing and shine flowing down shoulders and backs .  Some glow in sleek midnight black,others glowing in shades of honey blonde ,fiery burgundy of wine red richness,a copper Ombre blends that catches the afternoon light ,chestnur browns as well as the  golden color that shimmers under the sun .From dark roots to golden or icy  silver tips,adventurous students flaunt locs streaked with purples blues and even emerald adding a stylish twist that stands out on the streets of Chuka university giving a playful expressive energy, announcing a presence and reflecting boldness, culture and individuality .

Artificial locs have become the new crown on campus making it impossible to ignore.Some are slim and pencil like, others are  statement sized as well as  chucky and dramatic with the ends sealed or curling into soft waves ,or even blunt finishings that fan out in wavy tips giving a neat sculpted looks all depending on individual preference. These looks have turned everyday walks across campus into a fashion runaway with the variety of different styles ,texture and tones giving out personalities and a modern edge since its fit for both genders hence unisex.

Artificial locs are a stylish hairstyle that mimics the natural appearance of dreadlocs but with a refined polished twist.Depending on the fiber or extension used , the texture can be smooth and silky with a glossy sheen or coarse and rugged resembling naturally matured locs.Commonly used materials include Marley hair which are a synthetic extensions designed to resemble natural Afro textured hair making them coarse,kinky and slightly rough hence perfect for wrapping around natural hair to create locs or twists.Seconding the Marley hair are the Human hair options which are 100% made from human hair making them softer more natural looking and long lasting .They are commonly used for permanent loc extensions.Lastly artificial locs are made through crotcheting of pre made locs which are quick for installation.

 In a statement by Faith,a female third year student who has installed these locs , she expresses that the   locs are affordable long lasting and easy to maintain hence cost effective since they only involve a monthly retouch.Others like Nyawira claimed that it’s a protective style that makes her carefree from worrying about heat damage or daily styling.She says “I can walk into class with confidence and it makes me stand out as people approach me with curiosity and enquiry questions about my hairstyle”.

Additionally Bramwell a final year male student expressed that the locs in his head are a sign of identity as they represent patience growthand staying true to oneself.lightheartheadly he added “I like it when my friends call me mrasta”.

Anna a second year student stated that with locs you can just scroll on tiktok,instagram or youtube  for five minutes and find ten different  ways to style your locs through reels and video tutorials.

The locs trend isn’t beginning with students,it existed long before they were born as the MauMau resistance fighters wore matted hair same as locs as a symbol of defiance.Rasrafarian culture and reggae music popularized dreadlocs as a symbol of freedom.

Today university students are re interpreting history.for some locs connect them with African identityand pride in natural hair while others install locs for puirely aesthetic purpose or rather to keep up with the global beauty trends.the fact remains that slowly locs are being accepted especially in work places where they were once  disregarded as casual and indecent. A law student shared that  during their internship they were advised to cut their locs if they wanted to be taken seriously in court.

However,locs are trendy on campus but  outside the university gates especially in the job market,dreadlocs are still judged harshly and often linked with negative labels eg drug abuse ,laziness or rebellion.

Both men and women face scrutiny where women are questioned about professionalism or “neatnes”while men are stereotyped as rebellious or idle.Kelvin recalls the first time he went home with locs and his aunt asked if he had joined a cult.

This shows how much society still misunderstands this hairstyle.On campus these judgements fade and are replaced by a shared sense of freedom expression and creativity.

As the semester rolls on ,the presence of locs in lecture halls ,hostels and graduation photoshoots keeps growing .Whats clear is that locs are moving beyond Rastafarianism and rebellion stereotypes and are becoming symbols of confidence creativity and cultural ownership.

Whether twisted wrapped or free formed ,locs tell stories that go far  beyond the strands of hair.and for university students, those stories are unapologetic bold and here to stay.