Introduction to a Record-Breaking Beard
A man from Alabama has earned the Guinness World Record for the longest natural beard locks for a living person. Rudolf Martino from Birmingham began to grow his impressive 3-foot, 6-inch face hair more than a decade ago. He was inspired by different cultures, including Egypt, India, and various religions, to create a look that has been around for thousands of years.
The Inspiration Behind the Beard
Martino thoroughly researched different cultures to create his unique look. He said, "I researched in different cultures such as Egypt, India, and various religions to create a look that has been around for thousands of years [and] add my own taste." The beard locks were specifically inspired by the holy men in India and Jamaican Rastafarians who have taken their cue from India.
Maintaining the Record-Breaking Locks
To maintain his record locks, Martino uses a daily moisturizer and washes his hair every two weeks. Washing his hair can take up to an hour, and then three days to dry. He takes great care to ensure his locks remain healthy and strong.
Reactions to the Beard
The reaction to Martino’s beard can vary. He said, "The looks that I get are mixed, some incredulously and some relieved." Sometimes, he hides his locks in his shirt so that he is not caught in doors. As an African American, he has faced discrimination, but he believes that there should be no discrimination against someone else’s natural hair.
A Symbol of Strength and Creativity
Martino has no plans to chop off his beard. For him, it is a symbol of strength and creativity. He said, "Just like a tree, branches, branches, leaves, and some fruit, I have my hair, roots, its length, and strength as a symbol." His beard represents his contribution to the world, including his creativity, sharing, and taking care of the world to make it a better, sweeter, and more tolerable place to live.
