What Did Hippies Wear ?

Way back in the 1960s, a new culture had emerged. This culture was actually a movement of the youth. In the hippie culture, the people are free from the social restrictions and they are free to do and wear whatever they want. The hippie culture was an anti-war movement and so the peace sign was a common sight in the hippie culture.

Clothes for the hippies are actually very simple and you can still find them in stores even up to this moment. Their clothes are very colorful and independent. They wear their hair in a straight unkempt look and the men in the hippie culture also grow beard. Their accessories have a native look and their t-shirts are colorful. They also like wearing scarves and bandannas as headbands. And one other common hair accessory in these times was a flower. If you want to revive the hippie look, then you might want to get these items as part of your wardrobe.

• Bellbottom jeans and wide belts
• Colorful t-shirts and leather vests for men
• Leather sandals
• Micro miniskirts and chains
• Colorful headbands and native accessories
• Peace symbol locket
• Mexican Baja Hoodies

The hippie culture really made some people raise their eyebrows for the way they look and the way they live their life. Not everybody in that time was accustomed to the thought of not going with the societies restrictions especially because most people of that time were really conservative. However, the hippie clothes really meant something and I think lots people can relate to it, the sense of just being yourself and being free. And besides, the fashion statement of the hippies was really cool and it associates all the colors and nature together. More than that, the culture also meant something and stand for a greater cause.

Bob Marley: Jamaican Reggae and Rastafari Hero

Nobody in the world is more famous for popularizing reggae than Bob Marley. Born as Robert Nesta Marley in February 6, 1945 in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, he is a well-known Jamaican musician and singer-songwriter who brought Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.

His best hits include "No Woman, No Cry", "I Shot the Sheriff", "Stir It Up", "Could You Be Loved", "Redemption Song", "Jamming", and "One Love". Three years after his death, the compilation album Legend (1984) was released which thereafter became the best selling reggae album in the world, garnering 10 times platinum in the US and also sold 20 million copies around the globe.

He was a leading advocate of the Rastafari movement, the culture which brought out reggae music from the obscure areas of Jamaica into the global music scene. He was a vegetarian, following the practice of Ital which turns away from consuming meat.

He had eleven children. Three of those were with his wife Rita, two were from Rita's former relationships and the rest were with other women.

He died on May 11, 1981 because of acral lentiginous melanoma which he fought since July 1977. "Money can't buy life" were the final words he told his son ZIggy on his death bed in the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami. A state funeral was given ten days after. Other recognitions were the Jamaican Order of Merit, a series of postage stamps and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

We know who another hero for another rasta style.

Ital Dreadlocks Rastaman - Caribbean Sunshine Twist

Dreadlocked (Rasta style) people are located across the world. They come in all different colors and their dreadlocks in all different styles. Dreadlocks can be intentionally grown because of the quality of hair textures; however, various methods are used to encourage the formation of dreadlocks such as braiding, twisting or a process involving the weaving of the hair. Dreadlocks are commonly associated mostly with the Rastaman's philosophy or religion in the West Indies; however, people from many groups in history before the identification of the Rastaman and Bob Marley, have worn dreadlocks for years, such as the Hindu Shiva Worshippers of India, Europeans, Egyptians, and the Sufi of Pakistan to name a few. The Rastafarians wear dreadlocks as an expression of inner spirituality and to emphasize their religious identity. The cutting of the dreadlocks is highly prohibited in the Rastafarian's religion and culture. As a result, their hair naturally grows into dreadlocks because it's not to be tampered with. There are times when others without a head of dreadlocks in the community or Rastafarian's culture are referred to as a "bald head," which implies not being equally knowledgeable. The following is a poem based on the dreadlocks Rastafarians, and is written in true rhyme end line couplets, in a four-line stanza format:

Natty Dreadlocks-Rastaman Vibration
Dreadlocks with long natty dread curly hair hanging down
There are some precious moments when it's even wrapped around;
Some in East India has it hanging down to the ground
Yogi Masters, meditating, stretching, and wearing a mound!
Jamaican Rastaman with dreadlocks is cool and comely
Praising their God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, actively;
Licking their Callie from a cup while taking a spiritual sup
They are raising Jah almighty up, spirits up, and redeeming it up.
Dreadlocks in the islands, growing and reaping Ital food
People not having any time to include being like a crude dude;
Ital brethren on high, looking to the sky, Coptic Bible opening eyes
Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church revealing things not in disguise.
Rastaman vibration, Bob Marley music moving and elevating
Idren and Sisdren moving to the beat while singing and skanking;
Curry goat and Red Stripe Beer on their lips while licking a spliff
Some singing like Jimmy Cliff; others looking out for the sheriff!
Dreadlocks with precious hair twisted around their backs and necks
Movement of Jah people, passing steeples, avoiding Babylon's wreck;
Crossing the River Jordan, meeting people during Ramadan
Dreadlocks leading his caravan and heading to the Promised Land!

Reef Todos and Reef II Slap Sandals

Reef is one of the most recognized brands in the surf market that we know of today. Such a brand was not made overnight. Much effort and perseverance went into the making of the Reef brand, which is now famous for Rasta Style. Credit for this goes to its founders Fernando and Santiago Aguerre, two Argentinean brothers who moved to California in the eighties, to make their dream of making it big in the surf industry come true. The ride to success was not easy because to begin with, they had very little capital to go on, of about 4000 dollars, a warehouse which they had to share and a small shop in Rose Canyon. But their good sense prevailed even during the hardest of times. They realized that fabulously comfortable as their sandals were, no body knew about it. To get the necessary exposure they devised a unique attention grabbing ad campaign, which involved the now iconic 'Miss Reef.' The campaign was a huge success and soon, the diligently crafted Reef sandals got their much deserved success as well.

Today, Reef offers a range of footwear catering to all sorts of Rasta people, tastes and needs. One thing they all have in common is a totally comfy fit. Reef men's sandals provide innumerous options for their customers to pick and choose from. One of the brand's popular models is the Reef Slap II sandals. The Reef II sandals are the updated version of the classic Reef Slap sandals. This trendy model has a very unique looking rubber outsole, which also doesn't leave any marks behind. The upper is made of synthetic nubuck, so that no damage is done no matter how much you splash around in the water. As with Reef Slap I, comfort is guaranteed with a specially contoured footbed and additional arch support. The Reef Slap II comes in sizes 6 through 13. It is available in black, grey and black and brown and tan. Another popular model is the Reef Todos sandals. This basic model is absolutely perfect for everyday use. It has been designed for durability. Comfort is assured with the special high density outsole, ultra soft footbed and extra arch support. Its classic look has been enhanced by woven strap. Reef Todos sandals come in sizes 6 through 13. The colors available are olive, black, tan and black, rasta, navy and grey, grey and brown.

A History of Rasta Dialect For Students of Jamaican Patois

A History of Rasta Dialect For Students of Jamaican Patois

At first glance, the student of Jamaican Patois would assume that all Jamaicans speak Jamaican Patois, but a unique group have their own dialect. This unique group is none other than the Rastas. The Rastas continue to have a lasting impact on Jamaican culture, reggae music and the world. The most famous Rasta of all time was the late Bob Marley, but there are many others that are carrying on the torch. It is important to know that not all Jamaicans are Rastas nor are all people with dreadlocks. Similarly, not all Jamaicans use the vocabulary of the Rastas. In order to understand or should I say "overstand" the language of the Rastas, it is important to learn the history of Rastafari.

Rastafari is one of the most recognizable aspects of Jamaican culture. Although, Rastas believe that Rastafari originated in Africa, Jamaica had a major role in the formation of Rastafari. The first Jamaican to have a major influence on Rastafari was Marcus Garvey. Marcus Mossiah Garvey was born in Jamaica under colonial rule in 1887. After being exposed to Blacks in Central and South America and meeting Blacks from all over the world while living in London, Garvey became committed to the improvement of Black people. In 1914, Garvey established the Universal Negro Improvement and Conservation Association (UNIA) and the African Communities League. Garvey, the original Pan-Africanist, was the one who exposed the Black people in the New World to the importance of Africa and pointed to a redeeming African King. He would not know that the symbolic king would be Haile Selassie, Jah Ras Tafari. Garvey became a prophet in Rastafari for telling the would be Rastas to look east for a king, but it was the Preacher Leonard P. Howell that started the Rastafari way of life.

Leonard P. Howell, a preacher in Jamaica, became the first person who took the crowning of Haile Selassie I seriously and preached H.I.M.'s divinity throughout Jamaica. He was also seen as a rebel in Jamaica for publicly denouncing the British Government, recognizing and defending the divinity of H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, preaching the superiority of Black people and preparation to return to Africa. Howell was arrested and imprisoned for two years for disturbing the peace. Once he was released, he started a Rasta community in the hills of St. Catherine. It was the combination of the oppression and struggle of Black people that cemented the Rastafari way of life. These events also helped in the development of the Rasta language.

Here are some key points related to the Rasta language:

1) The Rasta language is the vibration of resistance to the system of Babylon (the world of the oppressors).

2) This resistance is available through word, sound and power.

3) The language of the Rasta is part of the way of life.

Rastas speak a twist of standard English because in colonial Jamaica, the original African languages were drastically altered over time by British rule and enslavement. Even though in present day Jamaica, all Jamaicans speak Patois (Patwah), Rastas speak a sub dialect of Patois. This is important to know for people who want to learn to speak Jamaican. In the Rastafari language, words are power. The first thing one needs to know is the replacement of the word Me with I. The personal pronoun "I" is the most important word in the Rasta dialect. To Rastas, there is is no "Me", there is no "You" and there is no "We" or "Us" - there is only "I and I". Everyone is an "I", so there is no need for second person dialog. Every person is a first person.

The use of the "I" as a sound is also present in Rasta speech. The sound can be found in many words such as:

I-tal (vital)
I-man (me or you)
I-ternal (eternal)
I-preme (supreme)
I-dren (brethren)
I-sire (desire)
I-ceive (receive)
I-hold

Another key concept to the Rastafari dialect is "seeing". The eye is the organ of sight which is why Rastas (and non-Rasta Jamaicans) use the words "Seen" and "Sight,", as in "Do you see" or "see it?" To see something is to accept reality. Seeing is also important to the name Selassie; the word, sound and power of "See" comes at the the beginning and end of his name - See lass-see.

The way words are twisted is another aspect of the Rasta dialect that is important. For example, "Understand" is replaced by "Overstand" and "Oppress" is replaced by "Downpress".

The other aspect of Rasta speech is the double meaning of words. Here are some of theRasta dialect vocabulary words with double meaning and their Rasta meanings:

morgue (refrigerator)
runnings (happenings)
penetrate (admire)
red (angry)
more time (see you later)

The list can go on and on, but the important thing to realize is that Rastas have their own dialect inside of Jamaican Patois, So if you want to learn to speak Jamaican and about the culture, you have to know about the Rastas.

Peace, Love, and Jamaica

One cannot mention Jamaica and not think of Bob Marley. And when Bob Marley is mentioned, more often than not the word Rasta pops up.

Marley and his music might as well be the Jamaican flag with an association as strong as this. In music videos of reggae records, we almost always see Rastafarians in the video. We are familiar with their color: red, yellow, green. The beat of their music is unmistakable.

The Rastafarian movement started in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastafarians do not consider the Rastafarian movement as a religion. They don't even consider the word Rastafarianism as they do not wish to be labeled as a schism or a section of another religion or group. They consider the Rastafarianism movement as a way of life.

The Rastafarian movement was established in line with the "back-to-Africa" sentiments of the African-Jamaican population in Jamaica in the 1930s. Several popular back-to-Africa movements were formed in different nations with African populations during that time.

They believe that Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, is God's physical embodiment. They believe that Haile Selassie will deliver the Africans in Jamaica from oppression. Haile Selassie traces his lineage back to the time of the prophet, to that of King Solomon.

Bob Marley, the Rastafari movement's most famous member, greatly helped in spreading the essence of the movement: a world of perfect peace, love and harmony. His songs talk about freedom of the African man and the return to Zion. The Rastafarian movement believes that Africa, also called Zion, is the original birthplace of mankind.

Simple Tips That Will Make Afro Hair Grow

African American hair has the distinction of being difficult to grow. This is inaccurate. The problem with growing a black mane is that the remedies and treatments often used rely too much on commercial hair products. These afro hair grow products often tend to do more harm than good. So in this article I will share certain tips that will help make a black mane grow fast.

When trying to grow afro hair, you should relax it every 4 weeks or so. If you do it more than this, it could cause breakage and do more damage to your hair than necessary.

Another way to make afro hair grow is to not wear braids. If the braids are too tight there will be hair loss due to the tightening and pulling on the hair.

Putting the least amount of stress on your hair is important if you want to make afro hair grow faster. If you decide to relax it use the most effective relaxer that will put the least amount of stress and damage on your hair. Women are finding though, if they relax their manes and wear braids at the same time, they will end up with thinner, weaker tresses. In order to compensate create a routine of using a moisturizing shampoo (avoid those with alcohol content, these lead to breakage), deep conditioning and hot oil treatments weekly.

For every day styling, use a leave in conditioners or pomade. Never use heavy greases like petroleum jelly on your mane as they will block the pores and can cause hair loss.

Another way to grow black hair is to keep it "un-relaxed.". An un-relaxed mane, will give you the longest and strongest natural growing hair possible. Using the simplest care possible and the least amount of product on your tresses is the fastest way to grow a healthy mane.

Dreadlocks rasta are also good way to make afro hair grow. Your tresses seem to grow faster with them and this could be because the hair you normally shed is often trapped inside giving your mane a longer look.

One of the best products on the market today for encouraging afro hair to grow is called Mira Oil. The product is all natural, containing natural oils and herbs which promote growth as well as encourage the development of new hair follicle development. Apply the oil onto the scalp and massage it in. allow the oil to sit in for 30 minutes and then wash out!

Take prenatal pills to help make afro hair grow! Prenatal pills provide all the vitamins and minerals you need for the development of a healthy mane!

Now...just try this simple tips and let be cool rasta reggae style !