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General overview of one of the most interesting grasshopper cultures.
What do we know about rastamans, besides what the media say about them? Some funny freaks with dreadlocks in bright clothes are listening to reggae and hip-hop, smoking weed and not worrying about anything, trusting in the mercy of Lord Jah. But if the Rastamans were as infantile and frivolous as they are painted, the temporarily triumphant plastic world would have chewed and spat them out a long time ago, leaving no stone unturned from their original culture with Old Testament roots.
However, a rastaman is not a “people” who silently “hawala” what they give, but a person with convictions who intends to resolutely defend their values without resorting to violence. As a subculture and spiritual teaching, Rastafism offers a tempting alternative to consumerism and competition - free creativity, brotherhood, peace and mutual assistance. It is not surprising that the Rasta movement continues to conquer the minds and hearts: the number of Jah admirers on the planet has already exceeded a million!
What is Rasta: religion, movement or subculture?
The Rastafari movement eludes classical definitions. Perceiving the features of spiritual teaching, social movement and street subculture, it becomes neither one nor the other, not the third and grows by itself, like a beautiful wild flower away from a busy highway.
Usually Rasta are not associated with any parties and religious organizations, although there are large Rasta orders and communes for those who wish:
The Nyabinga Order is the most conservative get-together, in which liturgies and church services according to the Ethiopian rite are held, more reminiscent of a jam session, and the late Haile Selassie is recognized as the embodiment of Jah.
Bobo Ashanti is the most radical Rasta group, where whites are not accepted, they practice veganism and preach the superiority of the black race. The extravagant leader of the movement, Charles Edwards, in all seriousness declared himself the Black Christ.
The Twelve Tribes of Israel is the most democratic community created for the sake of communication, creativity and mutual assistance.
As a subculture, Rastafarians cycle less on the external surroundings than the same hippies, punks or goths. For Jah, it is only what is inside that matters, not what is for show, although the harmony of form and content is certainly important. Therefore, Rastas pay a lot of attention to creativity and self-expression - they sing, dance, compose, paint, make crafts.
Being a passive consumer is not Rasta; many strive to change the world for the better and believe that any good deed spreads "positive vibrations" that ultimately return to the one who released them into the world.
Secondly, rastamans, unlike secular idlers, do not smoke up to pink elephants and look after inexperienced comrades. The well-known sign of Rasta - a cannabis leaf against the background of the Ethiopian tricolor does not mean that the Jah adherents do nothing but hammer away day and night; they have other concerns. Clarity of consciousness in Rastafarianism is valued no less than in Buddhism. If reason is given to man by God, intoxicating oneself with drugs means going against God's will. Rastafarianism welcomes an easy and cheerful perception of the world, but at the same time encourages staying mindful.
For the same reason, Rastas avoid excess in sex, strive to build long-term partnerships and strong families. In their opinion, the artificial incitement of sensuality distorts the perception of reality and encourages the use of someone else's body for their own pleasure.
Rasta is not one of those who love to catch hype and collect stylish bows. The Rastaman does not need the admiration and approval of the people of Babylon, he is more concerned with his own inner world and communication with God, and the colorful appearance is nothing more than a reflection of life guidelines.
Musical preferences in Rasta culture.
Music is the soul of the Rastafari: the guitar and banjo in the hands of an inspired musician cannot lie. Moreover, Rastafarians sing not only about their uneasy relationship with Mary Jane, psychedelic revelations and legalization - Rastaman songs impress with their sincerity and depth of feelings, picked up by a hurricane of African motives.
Unlike other musical subcultures of the twentieth century, Rastafarianism is not tied to any particular style or direction. It seems to many that the spirit of Rasta is best expressed by reggae music - a searing cocktail of dance and meditative rhythms, which were treated to fans by the incomparable Bob Marley with his team The Wailers.
Thanks for reading!
What do we know about rastamans, besides what the media say about them? Some funny freaks with dreadlocks in bright clothes are listening to reggae and hip-hop, smoking weed and not worrying about anything, trusting in the mercy of Lord Jah. But if the Rastamans were as infantile and frivolous as they are painted, the temporarily triumphant plastic world would have chewed and spat them out a long time ago, leaving no stone unturned from their original culture with Old Testament roots.
However, a rastaman is not a “people” who silently “hawala” what they give, but a person with convictions who intends to resolutely defend their values without resorting to violence. As a subculture and spiritual teaching, Rastafism offers a tempting alternative to consumerism and competition - free creativity, brotherhood, peace and mutual assistance. It is not surprising that the Rasta movement continues to conquer the minds and hearts: the number of Jah admirers on the planet has already exceeded a million!
What is Rasta: religion, movement or subculture?
The Rastafari movement eludes classical definitions. Perceiving the features of spiritual teaching, social movement and street subculture, it becomes neither one nor the other, not the third and grows by itself, like a beautiful wild flower away from a busy highway.
Usually Rasta are not associated with any parties and religious organizations, although there are large Rasta orders and communes for those who wish:
The Nyabinga Order is the most conservative get-together, in which liturgies and church services according to the Ethiopian rite are held, more reminiscent of a jam session, and the late Haile Selassie is recognized as the embodiment of Jah.
Bobo Ashanti is the most radical Rasta group, where whites are not accepted, they practice veganism and preach the superiority of the black race. The extravagant leader of the movement, Charles Edwards, in all seriousness declared himself the Black Christ.
The Twelve Tribes of Israel is the most democratic community created for the sake of communication, creativity and mutual assistance.
As a subculture, Rastafarians cycle less on the external surroundings than the same hippies, punks or goths. For Jah, it is only what is inside that matters, not what is for show, although the harmony of form and content is certainly important. Therefore, Rastas pay a lot of attention to creativity and self-expression - they sing, dance, compose, paint, make crafts.
Being a passive consumer is not Rasta; many strive to change the world for the better and believe that any good deed spreads "positive vibrations" that ultimately return to the one who released them into the world.
Secondly, rastamans, unlike secular idlers, do not smoke up to pink elephants and look after inexperienced comrades. The well-known sign of Rasta - a cannabis leaf against the background of the Ethiopian tricolor does not mean that the Jah adherents do nothing but hammer away day and night; they have other concerns. Clarity of consciousness in Rastafarianism is valued no less than in Buddhism. If reason is given to man by God, intoxicating oneself with drugs means going against God's will. Rastafarianism welcomes an easy and cheerful perception of the world, but at the same time encourages staying mindful.
For the same reason, Rastas avoid excess in sex, strive to build long-term partnerships and strong families. In their opinion, the artificial incitement of sensuality distorts the perception of reality and encourages the use of someone else's body for their own pleasure.
Rasta is not one of those who love to catch hype and collect stylish bows. The Rastaman does not need the admiration and approval of the people of Babylon, he is more concerned with his own inner world and communication with God, and the colorful appearance is nothing more than a reflection of life guidelines.
Musical preferences in Rasta culture.
Music is the soul of the Rastafari: the guitar and banjo in the hands of an inspired musician cannot lie. Moreover, Rastafarians sing not only about their uneasy relationship with Mary Jane, psychedelic revelations and legalization - Rastaman songs impress with their sincerity and depth of feelings, picked up by a hurricane of African motives.
Unlike other musical subcultures of the twentieth century, Rastafarianism is not tied to any particular style or direction. It seems to many that the spirit of Rasta is best expressed by reggae music - a searing cocktail of dance and meditative rhythms, which were treated to fans by the incomparable Bob Marley with his team The Wailers.
Thanks for reading!
