Are Dreadlocks Black Culture or a Unique Hairstyle For the Entire World?

Can anyone grow dreadlocks or just Black people? Black people's kinky hair leads many to believe they are the only race that grows dreadlocks. Therefore, it's a part of Black culture. But everywhere in the world, you can find people with all types of dreadlocks.

Dreadlocks are the natural result of three to six months uncombed hair. Strains of hair intertwine together and create "ropes" or "locs". All types of hair eventually clunk or matte together if left free of combs and hair relaxers for a long time. The texture of the hair determines how long it takes.

Thick coarse hair develops or grows dreadlocks fast, easy, and may not need chemicals or twisting. Thin straight hair will take longer. Also, it requires chemicals and twisting. Most Blacks' hair is coarse while other races have straight hair. In the end, however, both types of hair will start growing dreadlocks. Dreadlocks are a gift from nature. No race is responsible or can claim dreadlocks as their own.

It really doesn't matter where dreadlocks come from. It's something natural that can happen to all hair. The question, however, is who's going to accept dreadlocks into their culture. So far, the answer has been a resounding yes from the Black communities across the nation and world.

For many Blacks, dreadlocks are a symbol of pride and cultural identity. Some are going natural because most hairstyles need the use of hair relaxing chemicals which may cause harm to hair and scalp. Dreadlocks are much simple to maintain: Rasta Style.

Bob Marley sings of the "Buffalo Soldier" as dreadlock Rasta. These black soldiers where sent to protect American settlers from Indians after the Civil War." The Indians called the soldiers "Buffalo Soldiers" because their dreadlocks resembled curly hair of the buffalo.

The Buffalo Soldiers are examples of how dreadlocks have been much a part of Black history and culture right here in America. In fact, historians have described how shackled slaves grew dreadlocks during the three to six month ride from Africa to America. The slave trader or master cut them off because they considered them "dreadful" to look at and forbade the slaves to grow them back.

Whether for spiritual reasons, personal motivation, or a fashion statement, Black people have been growing dreadlocks longer than most cultures. Today, the popularity of dreadlocks is on the rise not only for Blacks, but for many in other races.

As stated before, anyone can grow dreadlocks with patience and the right technique. It doesn't matter the color of skin or which part of the world you live in. Again, the hair's texture is what matters most. To find out what you need to grow dreadlocks, visit a hairstylist specializing in dreadlocks (locticians).

Here's a rule of thumb with much wiggle room. If you are of African descent with thick hair, growing dreadlocks should be natural, easy, and fast with few visits to a loctician. If you are not of African descent and have straight thin hair, it will take longer. You'll need more frequent visits to a loctician and the use of chemicals such as beeswax.

Dreadlocks are a big part of Black culture. However, they can be experience and enjoyed by every race in the world. As Bob Maley says "Grow your dreadlocks, don't be afraid of the wolf pack".

Hippie Clothes

Many people might remember the 60s to 70s era as the hippie era. The hippie culture was the most dominant culture during these times. The hippie clothes and the hippie lifestyle was the most popular culture and everybody wanted to belong to this group. The "hipster" term in London refers to the cool people and it is actually based on the word hippie. Many would say that the clothes of the hippie would be the catchiest part of the whole hippie culture. But most people cannot remember the whole essence of the hippie culture.

Hippie culture actually started as a movement that was pro-nature and anti-war. They were started by people that could not tolerate violence around them. They love the nature and they incorporate them in their clothes. They use clothes that have lots of colors and the uses cotton and hemp as the cloth for their clothes. It is during these times that unkempt sexiness was popular. They spread the message of love and peace.

Girls would wear colorful loose sexy spaghetti strap tops and pair with bell bottoms and leather sandals. Their hair is kept straight and uncombed. Native accessories were also popular these days and scarves and bandanas were used as headbands and flowers too. More popular clothing items from the hippie culture were the baja hoodies, the tie dye shirts, and leather vests.

Nowadays, maxi dress, rompers, and other dresses that are hippie inspired are back on trend, making it popular again.

Though the hippie clothes are popular and are going back on trend and are loved by most, the people who really live the ideas and thoughts of the hippie culture are not as much loved. They are criticized by many. Despite this, they still continue to spread the message and ideals of the culture.

Great Hippie Jewelry

One of the easiest ways to show your love for the 60s is hippie jewelry. It can be discrete if you want, but still quietly state your outlook in a stylish and elegant way.

Groovy hippie jewelry doesn't have to be any particular style, but some designs are more hippie than others. For example cubic zirconia rings aren't the first thing you think of, but if don't tastefully could still work if worked into silver or pewter. Certainly cubic zirconia is more hippie than diamonds because they aren't as focused on money which The Man, or Corporate America, so esteems.

A bracelet for the neck or ankle, necklace or ring are all great options for bohemian jewelry and are great for men or women. Jewelry made of silver, stone or handmade beads are very nice. Bead jewelry can have almost any theme. Stars, earth, rasta, music, love, sex; anything goes. Hemp jewelry is also popular. One of the more unique jewelry items is claddagh rings or other wedding rings. These are often hand made by silversmiths and can be bought at Renaissance fairs.

Peace jewelry is one of the most popular jewelry items for those looking for 60s fashion. Hippie earrings with peace signs worked into the design are just too classic to pass by, but can be too commercial if you aren't careful. What you want to look for to be an authentic wearer of hippie clothes is unique hippie jewelry. Certainly such items can have peace signs, but don't forget flowers, especially sunflower, rose and daisy designs, the word LOVE and PEACE, smiley faces and other designs that can still get your point across. Rainbows also lend themselves quite easily to hippie stuff and rasta style.

The well-known music of the 60s is also another theme you will find commemorated in jewelry. The music of the Grateful Dead, Janis Jopin, Jimi Hendrix and later artists like Bob Marley is honored by crafted products available at your local head shop.

At such places you can usually also check out cool threads, groovy bags, hippie clothing and buy gift certificates. You'll also find hemp gear in new styles, clothing and accessories and great jewelry & watches at bargains shopping hippies cannot resist. In the glass cases you will find fashion jewelry too cool and hip for other local stores. There are some great local artists who sell there wares in these local shops. If you unique is what you are looking for, start here.

But, if you just want it now, look online. It will save you a trip. There are lots of great items you friends won't have, and with a fair price tag. You can get great gypsy jewelry, safe and sound from home. And they'll ship it right to you.

To ensure a good overall shopping experience look for a site that includes reviews on their product catalog pages and is secure for Mastercard orders. Be sure and read the description and other information like the terms. If you are lucky you can find a site that offers other goodies like free shipping.

Menswear - Adding a Kufi Hat to Accentuate His Outfit

The history and tradition of African clothing is long and intriguing. One item that comes from this lasting culture is the kufi hat. The kufi hat comes from West Africa where men have worn it for years. It is brimless and rounded to fit to the shape of the head. One will often see older men in West Africa wearing a kufi hat each and every day. For them, the hat is a symbol of their status as wise older patriarchs. African Muslims can be seen wearing the hats on Fridays for their prayers. In recent years, kufi hats have made their mark in American hip-hop culture, but they may also be seen on the heads of any man who wants to show his cultural heritage.

Kufi hats are available in a range of colors and styles. There are knitted kufi hats, rasta-style kufi hats, Kente cloth kufi hats and others. The crown style kufi hat is worn with formal outfits and is often made in white. Most frequently, kufis are worn with dashikis as part of the formal outfit. These hats are durable and stylish. They offer any man who wears them the opportunity to celebrate his heritage while simultaneously celebrating his own unique style.

The Fulani straw hat is another popular choice. The Fula people of West Africa make these hats and they are both beautiful and practical. The wide brim of the hat is perfect for hot summer afternoons when you need to shield your face and eyes from the sun.

An African hat is one choice that any man can appreciate. African clothes provide a way to get the African textures, fabrics and styles that will make your wardrobe a real standout. For the man, a kufi hat will offer him a chance to display his heritage with style. Celebrating African culture with African clothes and hats is a dynamic and artistic way to make a statement.

Rasta Beads and Accessories

Black, gold, red, and green are the colors that represent Jamaican Rastafarians. The beads in these colors are known as Rasta beads. These Rasta beads are often used with cowry shells to be turned into accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, wristbands, rings, cufflinks, and earrings. Sometimes, Rasta accessories such as hair ornaments are also available. Numerous individuals like to wear these items because they are hip, trendy, and affordable. In addition, whenever someone buys Rasta accessories, he sort of partakes in the celebration of Black culture. He can use the accessories as keepsakes to commemorate the Black History Month.
Anyway, selling handmade Rasta accessories is a good way to earn extra money. If you are really good, you can even turn your little business into your primary means of living. You can buy wholesale Rasta beads if you cannot make them yourself, and you can turn them into fine accessories. You just have to use your creativity to come up with beautiful designs; and use your hands to carefully string the Rasta beads together. All you will need are jewelry wire, crimping pliers, wire cutter or scissors, and of course, the Rasta beads. You can also add some cowry shells. In no time, the simple Rasta beads will become fabulous Rasta accessories. Consider making more necklaces and earrings, though, because they sell better than bracelets and anklets.
Once you have finished creating a batch of Rasta accessories, you can bring them to a consignment store. Consignment stores are often searching for beautiful, handmade accessories. So, if you think your Rasta accessories are good enough to sell, you can ask the store owners if they would be willing to buy your products. If one or more of them agree to order from you, you will have a regular source of income. You will not even need to worry about beating your sales record everyday because you already have ready customers. Nonetheless, this does not mean that you cannot sell retail Rasta accessories anymore. You can still create a website or visit fairs and craft shows once in a while to market your products. The more pieces you sell, the more popular you will be to customers.
Moreover, you must never forget to create and give out business cards. Make sure that you include your contact details on the cards. You can also ask your friends or relatives if they know other people who may want to order accessories from you. Ask around your neighborhood to find out who likes Rasta beads. Then, try posting advertisements on public bulletin boards to let everyone know about your business. The more people know about your Rasta beads and Rasta accessories, the more customers you can receive.

MadeItMyself is a rapidly growing, unique and fun artisan online marketplace that lets you post your handmade creations and share them with the rest of the world.
MadeItMyself provides endless possibilities for the people who love art and originality and want to make a good living from their respective trades.

Dancehall Reggae - The Music and the Culture

The dancehall style has developed tremendously over the years from the 80's to the 90's and new millennium and is continuing to grow with a speed unimaginable. The first to introduce this new style as digital music was the famous Jamaican producer known as King Jammy. It quickly took over the hearts of the Jamaican youth and started to spread throughout the Caribbean then to the Americas and now to the world. Everyone seems to know this music now and has become die hard fans. The music itself is an up-tempo and addictive sound making you want to dance and enjoy yourself as Caribbean people so love to do and are so famous for doing so.

Some of the first dancehall artists to come about were Wayne Smith, Shabba Ranks, and Super Cat to name a few, Shabba Ranks being the first to be premiered on MTV and Super Cat for being the first East-Indian dancehall artist. These artists made a massive impact on the music scene in America and layed the foundation for major artists such as Shaggy, Mavado, Sean Paul and Elephant man to name a few. There are also artists from Europe and all over the world like Collie Buddz, Ill Inspecta and Cali P. These new artists are quickly improving and changing the sound of dancehall music keeping it fresh and up to date for the younger generation.

Dancehall music being a worldwide genre is still most popular in the Caribbean at its home where most of the artists and producers come from. It gives the younger generation a chance to fulfill a dream and to make a career of it. It is more than just music but a passion and a lifestyle to people. If you have not yet heard dancehall then make it a must to do so, it is captivating and unique and you will surely fall in love with it and would see why it is being so wide spread today.

Reggae in Jamaica is a Diverse Form of Music

Few musical styles associate themselves so closely with a particular country as reggae music does to the island nation of Jamaica. Though it has only been around since the late 1960s, reggae was brought to world prominence by Bob Marley and the Wailers, though in its history there have been a multitude of talented performers. If you have ever been on an all inclusive in Jamaica, you may have seen one of these performers at a concert or at a local bar. The simple, sometimes hypnotic songs seem to blend well with the island's party atmosphere, where everyone is simply out to have a good time. Listening to reggae with some good food and a cold beer or rum drink is just about the pinnacle of existence for some.
While many love reggae for its laid-back rhythms and feel-good attitude, others embrace the counterculture aspect of it all. Dreadlocks are a common trait of reggae performers and fans alike, as are bright, colorful clothing. Reggae also has the stigma of being tied to recreational marijuana use, which may put off some towards the idea of Jamaica when looking for family vacation ideas. The truth is, however, that while there is certainly a subset of people that use reggae as an excuse for drug use, there are many reggae concerts that are family-oriented. And if you have your kids on your vacation with you, it would be a great thing to expand their musical and cultural horizons. When your children get older, they may even remember when they went to see the band with the dreadlocks. A reggae concert can be just that memorable.
Reggae is also known for a diverse range of lyrical expression. There are some that simply use their music to bring happy feelings to their listeners, and sing about love and having a good time with friends. Other artists tackle heavier subjects like the criticism of materialism, black nationalism, and religion. Controversial subjects like Apartheid are fair game, as well as the denouncement of political systems or oppressive regimes. While these are themes that require more serious listening, those who are in Jamaica on adult vacations may just be looking for that. Like other forms of music, many different subsets can be found within this one style. For many, that's what makes reggae so inviting: no matter what your mood or taste, you can find a reggae artist or style that suits you!

Rastafari Has Changed My Life

It is a common thought that Rastafari is one of the oldest religions in the world. But in fact it is not a religion at all. Although the Rasta man uses the Old Testament as text and a moral base, Rastafari is not a religion at all.
Modern thinking has a hard time separating the two ways of thought. Most would assume that if you use the bible you must be a religion. This however contradicts the words of the most important figure of Rastafari. Haille Sellasi is the first or the equivalent of the Christ figure of Rasta. Sellasi in his own words condemns organised religion in any form. He promoted a one love society, the lyrics of the famous Bob Marley song war were actually the words of a speech given by his majesty.
He promoted an ancient African way of life that came from the Nyahbingi. An ancient tribe of woman that were drummers and called on the spirits of ancient ancestors.
Rastafari is a natural way of life that can be incorporated into almost any culture or place in the world. It is a clean and healthy lifestyle based on ital food. Ital is a vegetarian diet that is taken in part from the bible. This diet bans the eating of salt, pork, lobster, shellfish, eggs and fish over 12 inches long. Rasta also includes the vows of the Nazarene to not shave or trim the body hair. The head being the crown of the Rastafarian to be covered as a covenant also coming from the bible. Cleanliness is next too godliness in Rastafari and a clean mind and body are always upheld.

Rastafarianism and the Impact on the World

Haile Selassie was born Tafari Mekanon in the late 1800's in the African country Ethiopia. He was crowned king, or "Ras" Tafari in the 1930's, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Marcus Garvey decades earlier has he proclaimed, "look to the east for the coming of a black king." Marcus Garvey is looked at in the Rastafarian movement as the biblical Moses since he was not only one of the greatest advocates for black repatriation in the Western World but also since he prophetically introduced and announced the coming of the Messiah. When the early Rasta's heard of the crowing of King Selassie - they knew that Marcus's prophecy was fulfilled. 

Early Rastafarians were not accepted by the Jamaican population at large. They were looked at as dirty and grimy men that lived in the hills and used drugs, mainly Ganja, spoke against the government and believed in Jah Rastafari over Jesus. Many early rastas where persecuted by their Jamaican countrymen for their religious believes. Rastas where also targeted by the police and government officials since they did not follow the with the "clean cut" majority and where known to use ganja. Early accusations where made against the Rastafarian's in the 30's and 40's as criminals and many robberies, murders, rapes and other crimes where pinned on the early rastas without any proof. Discrimination continued throughout the ensuing decades as families ties where broken when members joined the Rastafarian's and police where known to kidnap rastas, cut their dreadlocks off and return them to their homes with shaved heads.

The Rastas, though, where peace loving, and positive people, who practiced more moral good than many Jamaicans who discriminated against them. Strict Rastafarian's do not use alcohol, and Jamaica is well known for its spicy rums. Strict Rastafarian's do not eat red meet either, and Jamaicans are also known for barbecued meets. These rasta men practice a lifestyle that is similar to the biblical tradition of the Nazarenes where they would take abstinence against many of lives pleasures. As the 1950's approached Jamaica - Rastafarianism was become more and more popular and soon the nyabinghi warrior sounds that were being chanted in the hills of Jamaica by rastas was about to make an entry to the city and Jamaican pop culture and soon the world.

Jamaicans have always had an extreme love for music. Weather it be the rock and roll sounds that came from America or the tribal beats that many of the decedents of the African slaves have kept boiling in their blood, Jamaica united the musical traditions of many cultures. From Rock-steady to Ska came Reggae music. The islands biggest claim to fame. And it was through the Reggae music of Jamaica that the Rastafari movement was to spread its message around the world in the form of a musical prophet the world knows as Robert Nesta Marley. 

Bob Marley began his musical career before he converted to Rastafarian. But it was through his spiritual transformation that his music took a serious shift and headed to the direction of international stardom and associating Jamaica, a little known island in the Caribbean, as being the birthplace of reggae and the birthplace of Marley. Marley's ability to sing and unite harmonious rhythms of voice, beats and instrument has had millions of people wondering if he was indeed sent by Jah to inform the people. Like a messenger from God Marley would sing to his fellow man songs of joy, songs of love, songs of pain, and songs of freedom. And it was through this style and skill that dubbed him the "king of reggae" - a thrown that will never be taken over.

Popular Fashionable Dreadlock Hairstyles For Men

Business executives, artists, students, professors among other professionals spot dreadlock hairstyles for men. Dreadlocks are not only a fashion statement for the Rastafarian's but also for many other people who are not Rastafarian's. Rastafarian's use dreadlocks as a sign of identity, for fashion purposes and as a religious sign. Rastafarian believe that cutting hair will weaken them so they keep dreads. This belief has roots in the Biblical story of Samson. Samson was weakened when his hair was cut.
Whether one is a Rastafarian or not or whether one comes from Jamaica or not it is totally legal to have dreadlocks. Dreadlocks will enhance the image of any man. Some styles of dreadlocks will in fact give one a top notch fashion image. There are different styles of dreadlocks. The different styles of dreadlocks have different lengths and widths.
One of the most popular dread lock styles is the Lenny Kravitz style named after famous musician Lenny Kravitz. This style is appropriate for those who have thick hair which is curly. In this style, one has to grow his hair, back, sides and front to reach the same length. The hair should then be worn in thick braid lifestyle.
The Jack Sparrow dreadlocks are also another popular style with most men. This style draws inspiration from the famous pirate Character, Captain Jack Sparrow. The character of Captain Sparrow was done in the movie pirates of the Caribbean by Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp in this movie spots a very stylish dread lock style. This style is the Jack Sparrow style.
To have this style, one should braid his hair into thin locks. Beads should be used to embellish the two front locks on each side of the head and a scarf should be tied around the forehead. Thin braids can also be styled into Rasta dreadlocks. These dreadlocks are popular among many Rastafarian's.
Dreadlocks are normally exposed daily to dust, cigarette smoke, insects and other forms of dirt. To prevent an infection from occurring because of exposure of dreads to dirt and dust, the dreads should be washed with a neutralizing shampoo every week. Dreads also make one's hair to be very dry.
An oil based conditioner should be used to reduce the dryness of the hair. A silk scarf should be used to cover dreads when one is sleeping. When dreads are not covered when one is sleeping, they will cause hair breakage.

The Good Rastafarian Mon

Rastafarianism is more than just a mere religious group or political stance. It is a world culture and human lifestyle, rasta style loved by freedom-loving people and severely hated by close-minded mainstream society. The term has been closely associated with Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, the primary icon of Rasta movement. His simple yet overwhelmingly compelling crusade against human rights violations, political-religious oppression and even environmental hazards easily spread; from the unhealthy political climate of Jamaica, then throughout the rest of the Third World countries.

Rasta culture and lifestyle also appealed to the First World environment as it opens for revolutionary awakening of the mind and the "emancipation of mental slavery", to which people from dominant nations or stations of life are given a greater opportunity to be united with the rest of the world, in peace and harmony. Rasta culture and lifestyle easily thrives in coastal and tropical environments, since it shares the same setting with its origin in Jamaica and Ethiopia. Other correlates, for better or worse; are being associated with marijuana use, political anarchy, rebellion, treason, extreme pacifism.

But what passes for a Rastafarian is bordered with negative stereotypes that criminalize and demonize this group of people who have certain unorthodox opinions about controversial topics. One of the things that really put Rastafarians into a bad light is its adherence to a lifestyle that it has the tendency to deviate from the "normal and lawful society". Certainly, Rastafarians have a world of their own that people either love or hate. For the purpose of this article, what will be enumerated here are the good points of living the Rastafarian lifestyle. These are the following.

I. Life of Peace and Harmony

In almost all religions and laws established in this world, approximately 95% of these institutions fiercely promote relative peace and harmony. Prosperity is a different area that Rastafarians never really put too much keen interest. As far as they are concerned, a life of peace and harmony is a life of prosperity. For this reason, it is commonly considered an unwritten law among good Rastafarians that one should live with positive vibes and "chill out".

II. Reggae Music

The whole world may not absolutely like this particular musical genre but in a general sense, reggae music happens to possess the most relaxing and groovy tunes and compositions around. Reggae tunes happen to permeate the very standard of what relaxing music ought to be and it resonates well in an equally relaxing setting such as the beach. The good thing about reggae music is that such a genre is ideally and practically indiscriminate. Because every song can be altered into reggae version by simple mixing of various monotonous beats.

III. Nature Lovers

It comes to no surprise that many Rastafarians happen to be attuned to the natural environment such as rain forests or tropical islands. Bob Marley, the strongest modern example of a Rastafarian man, lived in a tropical coastal environment in Jamaica. Rastafarian fashion appears to have a strong affinity with nature; since the colors red, yellow and green conditions the human eye to easily imagine an island or beach environment. The dreadlocks hairstyle often emulate an appearance that closely associates people with primitive appeal. Someone who wears dreadlocks does resemble a shaman or a caveman in a positive and modernly acceptable standard of fashion. Do not be surprised when these cool people advocate vegetarianism the way "hippies" and Buddhists do. Some certain degree of appreciating natural trappings may extend to affecting crucial aspects of one's lifestyle, such as the diet.

Stylish African Unisex Clothing Styles

Africa-styled clothing can be very versatile. One can see the versatility in the many unisex options that are available for your selection. So many of these clothes one might select can be worn on any occasion and worn by men or omen, depending on tastes.
One of the African clothing options you might choose is the unisex pantsuit made in gorgeous mud-print fabric. The fabric itself is durable and holds color well, so it's easy to wash and wear these stylish outfits. In addition to versatility and functionality, the designs are fabulous. These clothes come in an array of colors and designs ranging from the simple to the more elaborate. Unisex outfits like these make a serious statement about one's fashion-forward outlook. One can even match outfits with one's spouse for an even greater effect.
Another nice unisex choice in African clothing is the dashiki. These gorgeous tops come in many colors and reflect the vibrant beauty of western Africa. There are many people in that region of Africa wearing these garments, and they definitely set one apart as someone who has good taste and also understands the heritage. The dashiki is comfortable and stylish, offering up the best of the traditional and the contemporary in its design.
People interested in a far Eastern flavor might try one of the unisex Thailand dashikis. The colors are typical of that island region with beautiful blues, whites and lavenders. Another option would be the unisex Ethiopian cross dashiki. Made in a lovely cream color and accented on the front with an Ethiopian cross, these dashikis are elegant and stylish for Rasta Style.
And, finally, one might try a hat on for size. Though the kufi is traditionally worn by men, women are wearing these stylish hats more often. The kufi comes in many colors ranging from simple white or black to the more colorful rasta-inspired colors. Another option would be a nice Fulani straw hat. For the summer months, these gorgeous and distinctive hats are an asset to any wardrobe. Not only are they beautiful, but they are practical for those hot afternoons when you need some shade.
African clothing is as diverse as the continent of Africa, and there is sure to be something that appeals to almost every taste. Check out the many unisex options and get a wardrobe spruce up today.

Rastafari and Reggae Designs in T-Shirt Printing

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T-shirt printing companies often feature symbolic prints on t-shirts. These symbols include political and social images that may have significance to a minority group or may represent a counterculture movement, such as the Rastafari Movement to Rasta Style.

According to Wikipedia, most Rastas do not think of the movement as a "religion," but a "Way of Life." It is monotheistic, worshiping only one God, which they call Jah. However, this God is not a vague Almighty Being in the heavens, but incarnated as Haile Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia.

Rastafari has Afrocentric ideologies and teachings. Its members support the spiritual use of cannabis, or marijuana. It also has a tri-color flag-red, green and yellow-with a lion's silhouette printed at the center.

Bob Marley And Rastafari In T-Shirt Printing

The strong association of Rastafari with reggae is partly because of Bob Marley's stature and his membership in the movement. Bob Marley is one of the most popular Rastas in the world, and his popularity has helped spread the influence of the Rastafari Movement in the world.

Bob Marley's signature image-his wide smile and his dreadlocks-is one of the most popular designs in t-shirt printing. His face has been printed in different versions, either as a pencil sketch or as a photograph. The prints show Bob Marley in different poses, while singing onstage or with his head thrown back in carefree laughter.

Bob Marley heavily incorporated Rastafarian chants in his song. Aside from Marley, other reggae musicians also used music to spread the teachings of Rastafari. Musicians like Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer have integrated Rastafarian doctrine in their songs.

Red, Green And Gold In RastafariT-Shirt Printing

The Rastafari colors are green, red and gold, the same hues found in its flag. At the center of the flag the silhouette of a roaring lion stands proud while the horizontal stripes of the three colors are in the background.

Sometimes, the three colors serve as background to or were superimposed on top of Bob Marley's image. In a sketch of Marley's face, the same three colors were mixed with the dark lines. Other times, the lyrics of Bob Marley's songs accessorize the image.

Red signifies the blood of Black Jamaican martyrs, green represents the lushness of the Ethiopian or Jamaican countryside, and gold signifies the wealth of Africa. Sometimes, black is included as a reference to the Marcus Garvey movement.

Reggae and the Rasta movement are rich sources of artistic inspiration for t-shirt printing designers. The symbols from these movements touch the rebellious spirit of the angst-ridden youth of the seventies, and continue to nurture the same sentiments in today's generation. Custom printed t-shirts with these types of designs speak the messages that they want us to listen to.

How To Make Dreadlocks The Natural Way

This is an article explaining how to make dreadlocks the natural way, i.e. without recourse to hair extensions or special dreadlock products of any kind. Using these methods you will be able to grow a full set of dreadlocks in a few days, weeks or months, depending on your hair type for rasta style.

The natural method of making dreadlocks giving them more of an organic look, and they appear less synthetic or contrived. Dreadlocks worn by hippies, travellers, ravers and surfers tend to be of the natural variety, and artificial locks tend to be rare on these scenes.

First off I'd like to dispel a common myth: dreadlocks are not a Rastafarian-only hairstyle. Rastafarians have certainly popularised dreads (and given them their name), but they have been worn for thousands of years on people from many cultures (Ancient Egyptians, Hindu ascetics, Celts and Vikings were all known to have worn their hair in locks). In fact, dreadlocks have been around since before combs, so to assign them as a symbol of any particular ethnic group would be to deny a huge swathe of anthropological history. Just a minor point I wanted to make (having been called "Rasta Man" for a number of years by people I don't even know).

There are two natural methods for making them, one being pure natural and the other being with a slight amount of help. They are as follows:

Pure natural method for making dreads.

• Don't brush your hair.

Easy, right? As long as your hair has even the slightest wave to it your hair will eventually dread up. Takes a while to go in if your hair is reasonably straight, like mine, but it will do it.

You do need to rip your hair into dreadlock-sized sections once it has matted, or you will be left with just one huge, fat dread stuck to a random part of your head like an amorous, hairy whelk. An interesting look if that's what you're after, but it does make you look a bit lopsided, and drunk. Sometimes parts of your hair will refuse to separate properly and will keep settling back into a mat (particularly around the back of your head). If this happens a rubber band or two near the base will keep them apart for long enough that they develop into distinct individual dreads. The elastic band will eventually fall out of its own accord.

One disadvantage of this method is that if your hair takes a long time to go in then you do need to make sure you don't undo all of the tangles when washing your hair. Some people prefer not to wash their hair during this stage, especially with shampoo or conditioner, but as this can take months it might be better for those of a less curly disposition to opt for the second method:

Mostly natural method for making dreads.

• Mess your hair up.

This method involves making an intentional mat. If your hair is exceptionally straight and fine then you can give it a bit of a start by pressing your palm to your head and moving it in circles. After a while your hair will mat up a little bit (if you've got curly hair then this method can give you dreads in a very short space of time). Now to take it to the next level:

• Tie it in knots.

It's easier to get someone else to do this for you, but it takes time so you'll do just as well doing it yourself while watching TeeVee or listening to some tunes. First of all, find yourself a nice clump of hair. Decide how thick you want the dreadlock to be and try to section off that thickness; if you find that some strands don't seem to belong to that section then pull them away or they'll just divide off later when the dread starts to form. You'll soon see what I mean - the hair on your head falls into natural sections and it's easy to tell which bits belong where.

Now that you've got a section, knot it. Pass random pieces of the hair over each other, as though you were doing a very bad plait, and then pull the hair tight. You should soon feel a clump forming at the bottom, which is your dread. Keep going for as long as you can be bothered (you can always cut off the un-dreaded, wispy parts later if you like), making sure not to be too regular in the pieces you select to pass over each other. I like to use all of my fingers in this process, each holding a random chunk of hair from the section, and I try to pass them all through each other at once. If it feels like you're making a mess of it, you're winning.

Once you've finished that section, move onto the next, and keep going until they're all done. This can make your hands ache, so don't worry about trying to do the lot all in one go unless you have an important business meeting to get to or some such. Two or three dreads a session is plenty.

Some of the thinner, shorter hairs around the back and sides might not want to dread properly - if that is the case then my advice is to ignore them, because even if you do get them into a dread then they'll soon just fall out again.

After following the above method you will have a head of irregular, partial dreadlocks. Over the next few days, weeks or month they will become fuzzier and develop harder cores. At this point they will start to look like proper dreads and you can finally leave your house truck, tipi, tree-house or skip and meet people again. Hooray!

Keeping them clean

To wash or not to wash, that is the question. It's a matter of personal taste, really. Eventually your natural oils will take over and your hair will clean itself, but it takes about three (itchy) weeks for this to happen, and your hair will still smell a bit to others (but not to you, strangely). Shampoo can stick in your dreads and even untangle them a bit, but it does stop your head from itching. A good middle ground is to wash your hair with water but not shampoo, and while your dreads are still settling in to avoid being too rough while washing them.

How To Dress Like A Hippie With The Baja Hoodie

It must be understood that what makes up the hippie fashion came to be because of hippie ideals. They weren't aiming for a counter-cultural movement in the 60's and 70's. How they dressed and what they did all derived from the self concept of living life freely and naturally. Peace instead of war. Love instead of hate. Joy instead of pain. Natural instead of artificial.

It was inevitable for this frame of reference to give rise to the hippie style that became a cultural icon. They dressed for comfort, which was also a by-product of wearing the most natural materials. A loose-fitting top made with cotton or wool; casual shirts or tie dye shirts. Leather vests or combat jackets. Women commonly wore peasant blouses or long, flowing seamless dresses. Bell bottoms, fringed jeans, hip hugger jeans, patched jeans. Accessories like wide leather belts, headbands, ankle belts or bracelets, and leather sandals. Hemp was a common material woven to make hippie clothing.

A comfortable top that gained notoriety within the hippie fashion was the Baja Hoodie which came from South America and migrated north into the United States carried by its popularity among various cultures on the continent. Eventually, the Baja Hoodie, Mexican Poncho, Jacket, or Pullover began to be manufactured in the U.S with the use of Eco-yarn, a material produced with recycled, unused, shirt clippings from mills. A demand for the Baja Hoodie still exists today among a wide variety of cultures. It is safe to say that the hoodie is one article of hippie clothing that transcended cultural boundaries and Rasta Style. 

There are many color variations and styles to choose from. The rasta style, stemming from the Rastafarian movement, uses the colors of black, green, yellow, and red. The rugby style consists of a dark, solid color with one or two horizontal lines across the mid-section. The hoodie can be worn in warm or cold weather, taking its versatility from its unique eco-yarn material allowing for breathability and comfort. The most notable feature is the hood of course, with two pull strings at the base in the front. A pouch in the front is the other distinct feature.

The Baja Hoodie is here to stay. It started with the hippies and can now be worn by all groups of people. Whether you're making a hippie costume for Halloween or dressing to be fashionable and stylish a Baja Hoodie is the perfect choice.

Rasta Hats and Hippie Clothes

What sets the Rasta Hats to be different from other type of head wear? This is a question you should be asking if you ever encounter the need of having one. Certainly the basic purpose of hats is quite common with other type of head wear, it is definitely intend as a covering for the head. So what makes it unique from the conventional head wear which have in the market today?

On greater context Rasta Hats are very unique type of headwear, it may have certain characteristics which are only limited to such kind of headwear, ones which you may never find elsewhere. For one thing Rasta hats are the only ones which are designed for the Rastafarian; it is a headwear which is popularized by these individuals. It is an authentic signature of their culture and music. It makes senses really, Rastafarians does not wear baseball caps, and it just doesn't match.

Rasta hats are created for dreadlocks; it is the best headwear for such hairstyle. The extra space for that large strand of hair is very hard to contain, but with Rasta hats this can be done with ease. It is made from materials which are soft and is also flexible for optimum comfort, its breathable feature is also very ideal for dreadlocks.

If there is one thing that makes it unique from other type of headwear it would be the designs. The colors and designs are uniquely Rastafarian in nature. The standard four colors of Rastafarians are evident in each hat.

All of these make it unique from other type of headwear. Uniqueness of such item may prevail depending on its application, which in most cases would vary depending on how one chooses to use Rasta hats. Certainly it is versatile enough for you to use it for different purposes for Rasta Style.

This tip is so simple; you can implement it immediately and start seeing results you want! But it doesn't stop there. You can actually take this a step further and increase your understanding using another simple technique. The problem is, I don't have the space here to share it. It is, however, on my website.

A Brief History of Rasta Bracelets

Bob Marley brought the Rasta bracelets to the mainstream American culture back in the 1970s. People either grooved on his music or loathed it; there seemed to be no in between. Adults decried it as nothing but the glorification of the "criminal element" and tried to usher their children away from the sounds of Marley's passionate songs. And they certainly did not approve of their children adorning their wrists with the Rasta bracelets they now associated with Bob Marley. But, while Marley may have made Rasta Style popular, he did not start the trend and had those adults known their meaning, may have softened their stance, at least just a little bit.

In the Beginning

The original History of the Rasta bracelets goes back to the 1930s. Started in that decade, the Rastafaris believed that eventually all of the displaced people of their race would be once again unified in Africa. They wore the bracelets to show their solidarity to one another and the movement as well as other traditional clothing, all made from natural fibers. One of the most common of the natural fibers is hemp, which can be made into virtually anything.

The Meanings behind the Colors of the Rasta Bracelets

The three colors of these bracelets are chosen because of what they symbolize. Those three colors are red, yellow (gold) and green, and each is important for its own meaning. Red is used to symbolize the blood of all people of the world and all living things that walk on the planet. Yellow or gold represents the treasures or riches that people cherish whether they are material or spiritual in nature. Green symbolizes the color of the earth that all living creatures walk on and that the Rasta people hold dear.

Alternate Meanings of the Colors

There are alternate meanings to the colors in the Rasta bracelets, however. For some purists, the colors apply only to the Rastafari people. The red is for only their blood and the yellow is for all the gold and other treasures stolen from their culture. The green is the symbol of Africa, the greatest of their stolen treasures.

Other Symbols Added to the Rasta Bracelets

In addition to the three colors that are used for the Rasta bracelets, there are other items that are traditionally added to them to tie them back to the culture itself. These can include symbols of Africa or Jamaica and can be woven into the design or tied on when the bracelet is completed. The most common symbol added to Rasta bracelets is the marijuana leaf.