Culture, creativity, and community take centre stage on June 29
WHAT comes to mind when you think of locs? For many people, it’s the Rastafarian culture and veganism, and, perhaps for some, it has a few negative connotations. But cosmetologist and entrepreneur Setra Oselmo has been working to highlight the vibrancy that lies within the culture as the curator of Locs Fest. Started in 2023, the Linden Locs Festival has become a highly anticipated event on Guyana’s calendar, with both those with and without locs coming out to support and be a part of the culture. This year, Setra says, as the event returns on June 29 with a variety of new additions, it adds an extra layer to the event that celebrates culture, creativity, and being your authentic self.

The woman behind Locs Fest, as it is known, is as inspiring as the event she created. After a tragic accident left Setra paralysed, she found herself and her sense of creativity in cosmetology. But seeking to break new ground, she set out to become a pioneer, paving the way for others and creating a celebration for her culture—Rastafarianism. Speaking about the creation of the event she shared, “I am the creator of Locs Fest. I’ve been doing that since 2023. I started it because there’s not any holiday that celebrates the culture. I wanted to create something to sensitise and celebrate Rastafarians and persons with locs. Not everybody that wears locs is Rastafarian, and not everybody that wears locs is vegan,” she said.
Culture, Vibrancy and Creativity
But Locs Fest is more than a celebration; the event also serves as a vital sensitisation campaign. As Setra shared during her interview with Pepperpot Magazine, Locs Fest serves as a catalyst for the issues Setra sees within the Rastafarian community. “I utilise the opportunity to sensitise for this specific hair type while countering issues in the community. You find that there’s a lot of persons with high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol issues, cancer. From research, it’s shown that the way we eat contributes to the way our health deteriorates.” She added that staying true to its theme of acceptance, attendees of the event’s cooking competition don’t have to be vegan—just the prepared dish has to be.
Although recent times have seen increased cohesion and reduced stigma among Guyanese, Setra notes that some negative stereotypes persist regarding individuals who wear locs. Locs Fest aims to change these negative ideas and combat them by highlighting the beauty and creativity that come with having locs. “We want to conquer the stereotype against locs. There is still stereotyping going on, but it’s not as prevalent as before. We have a few talks on how persons can maintain their locs, what are the best products to use, and the better methods for their hair type. Every hair type can lock, but you would have to use a different method to get that done,” she shared.

Opportunity for entrepreneurs
But what does Locs Fest actually look like? In many ways, it’s like any other cultural celebration: music, fashion, food, and fun—but with its own distinctive soul. One of the biggest highlights is the showcase of bold and brilliant loc designs. Setra says this year will be no different, with loc-ticians and stylists already signed up to bring their creativity to the stage. “We’re showcasing the locticians that we have available. Those who register can showcase their work on stage. You can also participate in the ‘Whip That Locs’ competition. You’re styling your most creative style within an hour or less and walk away with the prize,” she explained.
Locs Fest also creates space for fashion designers to stand out. In an era when online shopping often results in cookie-cutter fashion, the festival provides local designers with a rare and vital platform to shine. “Sometimes you find persons wearing the same outfit. This is a way of giving our local people work,” Setra added. For Setra, it’s all part of a deeper mission, one that encourages people to be bold in their pursuits. “I believe in having your own business and creating something for yourself. Come out, showcase your work, share what you serve the community. That’s how you build networking, relationships, and a stronger community,” she said.
More Than Style and Spectacle
More than just style and spectacle, Locs Fest also offers substance. Through its discussion panels, the event creates an opportunity for genuine conversations about the Rastafarian community and beyond. This year’s panel follows the theme ‘Return of the King and Queen,’ an intentional call to focus on strengthening family bonds. “We want to discuss issues and ways to bring back the family. Once you have a great family bond, you have a better way of living,” Setra shared. “We’re urging persons attending to come up with questions, come early, ask. That’s the only way you can get answers,” she added.
In true Locs Fest fashion, celebration meets community recognition through the anticipated ‘Gift of Locs’; an aspect where attendees are awarded for everything from the shortest to the longest locs. It’s all crowd-judged and all about appreciation. This year, the celebration is expanding with the introduction of the ‘Royal Couple’s Challenge’, a fun, three-part competition open to all couples—not just those with locs. “There are three challenges you have to pass to get the real prize,” Setra shared.
For those eager to attend or participate, tickets are available at the gate for $2,000, with today (June 15) being the last day for registration for vendors. But even if you’re not competing, there’s still room for you. “If you want to showcase your talent—painting, singing, dancing—we are open to having persons showcase their talent. That’s what Locs Fest is about: showcasing.” And while the logistics and planning underway are demanding, for Setra, the true reward lies in seeing people stand a little taller, feel a little freer. “One of my greatest wishes for the people at Locs Fest is to look at life as a whole and feel very accomplished, feel safe, mingle with other persons like themselves. I think things like that really make me happy.”