Kenyan marries lady with longest dreadlocks in the world

– Dreadlocks are popular among African men and women. They are said to have roots from the Rastafarians of Jamaica
– Florida-born Asha Mandela holds the record for having the dreadlocks in the world at (55 ft). And now the 50-year-old has found love in a Kenyan hairstylist Emmanuel Chege, a man who has dreadlocks too
– Chege spends most of his time lovingly grooming his wife’s locks which take two days to clean and dry. The two expect children and say they will never allow a comb near their heads

A Kenyan man is making headlines across the globe after bagging himself a woman with the longest dreadlocks in the world.
Emmanuel Chege, a qualified hairstylist owns long dreadlocks of his own, but not as long as those of his newly found wife Asha Mandela from Florida, USA.

Emmanuel Chege and his wife Asha Mandela, the woman with the longest dreadlocks in the world Photo: Ruaridh Connellan

Chege is said to have met Asha online. He was greatly impressed by her 55 ft dreadlocks. The two chatted and love swept them off their feet like heavy storms in the high seas.
They would hook up when Asha visited Kenya eight months later for business and eight months after their first meeting, they married in Florida.
Asha is 50-years-old and has kept dreadlocks since she was a little girl.

Emmanuel Chege and his wife Asha Mandela, the woman with the longest dreadlocks in the world Photo: Ruaridh Connellan

She has vowed never to shave her head despite doctors warning her that she risks being paralysed from  by the weight the locks are putting on her back.
Asha says since she met Chege, life has been relatively easy and lively. Chege spends much of his time grooming and tendering Asha’s locks.

“It’s really added spice in the bedroom and it does not get in the way of anything at all.
‘There are times when my hair will be on the bed with us and we can use it for whatever or we put it on the floor if we want it out of the way,” Asha said as quoted by Uber Blog.

Emmanuel Chege and his wife Asha Mandela, the woman with the longest dreadlocks in the world Photo: Ruaridh Connellan

She says that in Chege she has found a companion who has changed her and given her what she has been looking for.

“My husband helps me with everything with my hair. I’m so spoilt since he’s been taking care of it and I’ve got totally lazy. He will massage my scalp, groom my hair or twist or wash it. He does a really good job of taking care of it so that’s a plus,” she added.

The dreadlocks take two days to clean and dry and that is what Chege does most of his time.

Emmanuel Chege and his wife Asha Mandela, the woman with the longest dreadlocks in the world Photo: Ruaridh Connellan

Asha says once they have a child, they will ensure that their offspring’s hair will not come into contact with a comb.
She wants her child(ren) to be a rasta like the parents.

“If we are blessed with children, no comb is going to go on their head. There will be locks straight from birth, however long that takes to come in. If we going to be lucky enough to be blessed with a child, it’s going to be a cute little Rasta baby,” she said further.

Emmanuel Chege and his wife Asha Mandela, the woman with the longest dreadlocks in the world Photo: Ruaridh Connellan

The roots of dreadlocks can be trailed to the Rastafarians of Jamaica, and further, to Indian sages and yogis, but they have never been more popular or widespread than they are today.

It is said that dreadlocks originated with these eastern holy men. Possessing nothing, renouncing the world and possessions (not even a comb) they eschewed even personal grooming, hence the inevitable dreadlocks.

Emmanuel Chege and his wife Asha Mandela, the woman with the longest dreadlocks in the world Photo: Ruaridh Connellan

Dreadlocks get their name from Jamaican tradition. Those with ‘natty’ dreadlocks were to be dreaded or feared.
Image: Ruaridh Conellan/Barcroft USA