RASTAS

WHAT IS A RASTA?

Rastas are people that accept the existence of a single god, called Jah, who has incarnated on earth several times, including in the form of Jesus.
Rastas are not only black people, although it does have roots in black empowerment and  back to Africa movements. Many Rastas welcome a multi-ethnic Rastafari movement.

Ganja is a strain of marijuana viewed by Rastas as a spiritual purifier, and it is smoked to cleanse the body and open the mind. Smoking ganja is common but not required.
Many Rastas limit their diets to what they consider pure food. Most are vegetarians, although some eat certain kinds of fish. (Bet not a Wisconsin Friday Fish Fry!)
Musician Bob Marley is the most well known Rasta, and many of his songs have Rastafari themes. Reggae music, for which Bob Marley is famous for playing, originated among blacks in Jamaica, and thus is unsurprisingly deeply interwoven with Rastafari culture.

We came in contact with many Rastas in Jamaica, and many people that consider themselves Rasta, in their heart. When asking a Rasta what makes them so, the answer usually comes with the words PEACE, LOVE, UNITY. Some also explained to us that they ate fruits, vegetables, and some fish.

          SOME RASTAS WE MET IN JAMAICA

                                                              Stomach, who got us a calm taxi
                                                             driver for the trip back to Montego
                                                              Bay.
Sis and Lars, our Hosts.

                                                                                                    Rasta selling herbs downtown.

Ojah/aka/Bunny**an artist
                                                       
                                                     
Young man we met one day, on one of

                                                       our walks. His hair was neatly wound  
                                                         around his head. Most Rastas have
                                                         dreads started when they are young.
                                                        It is not mandatory to have dreads. This young man's dreads came to his calves when down. His hair was very neatly wrapped around his head. Many times the dreads are put up into a colorful hat like Pooka has on below. These hats are chrocheted and are plentiful at the Craft Market.

Poocka-Rasta, but also believes in being a Cosmic Force.

On the right is Arville and his granddaughter (posing with me.) Arville is a true

Rasta in what he believes and eats. He owns a small bar in the neighborhood.

Winnie, an interior designer, was one of the few women we met while walking. She lives down the road from where we stayed. Winnie has a beautiful garden and she was so kind to take us on a tour of it. Winnie lives with her dog, Babes, who is a great protector.