A "Dreaded" question
Posted: Thursday, June 19, 2003

Posted by: Kingston
Jun 16th, 2003

Does the truest Rasta heart belong to a Man whom has decided to wear dreadlocks?

Let Us skip the discussion about those who wear dreadlocks for fashion.

At first thought I would say no, yet upon further reasoning with a youth I aquaint with I may feel that it is so.

Naturally I am not questioning any Rasta who has a true heart and does not wear dreadlocks for there are many of Us but I look at it like this.

A true Rasta wearing locks can be likend to Jesus walking with the cross in the sense that He has chosen to walk his life with this cross, dreadlocks, upon His back.

I say this for it is the truest statement a Rasta can make. The dreadlock is the universal indicator of the Rastaman.

A dreadlocked man shuts many of Babylon's doors for Him. He is forced to live more independently because of this choice.

I leave this topic open as it stands.

Jah's humble servant,

..Kingston..

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Response: by Ayinde
Jun 19th, 2003

Rasta from the ancient point of view meant wisdom. So when our ancestors said they wished to enter the house of Rasta, they were speaking in relation to that exalted spiritual state where one attains wisdom.

The word Rasta in relation to dreadlocks is derived from the natural way people lived especially in ancient times when they deliberately returned to the forest to recapture the laws of nature. In so doing they were isolated and without grooming so the dreadlocks developed naturally. This is quite similar to when people get lost on some deserted island and are forced to survive on their own. Sometimes these people learn to embrace nature and develop the natural skills to survive in the wild. Of course, their hair becomes wild or dreaded because they are away from grooming.

In Ethiopia, the word Ras evolved to mean 'head' and since leaders then were considered to be divine, then Ras Tafari was seen as another divine leader.

In essence Rasta is about developing oneself towards self-actualization, which is the only way to attain universal wisdom.

One can do many things to symbolize that they are different. I choose to simply do my best.

Continue this reasoning here... 

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