Ras, Rasta, Rastaman

Perhaps the most intriguing identifying marker of reggae music is the infamous "rasta".  Foreigners as well as Jamaicans have always linked reggae music in its "conscious" and spiritual form to the ideologies of the Rastas in Jamaica. The most common recognizable rastaman is of course Bob Marley, however he represents only one of the many rasta musicians that have influenced reggae music. The lyrics of many reggae songs have reference to the Rastafarian Movement of the 20's and 30'a. The Rastafarian movement is based on the teachings of Marcus Garvey's "Back to Africa" movement. Rastafarian beliefs center on living a natural, simple life. Therefore they avoid all unnatural and canned foods, as well as pork, shellfish and alcohol- a diet known as Ital. They believe that Haile Selassie will return at Judgment Day to lead his followers back to Africa, where they will experience heaven on Earth.

Contrary to popular misconception, Rastas do not smoke marijuana, also known as ganja, for recreational purposes. True followers use the herb during focused meditation periods called reasonings.The most significant outward characteristic of Rastas is their dreadlocked hair. Wearing dreadlocks is significant because of the Old Testament command to not cut one’s hair and because wearing the hair in this fashion resembles a lion’s mane, a reference to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Rastas are known for their contribution to roots reggae. Roots reggae grew in popularity in the late 1970's and is the most well-known subgenre of reggae around the world. Roots reggae lyrics are usually focused on social and political issues, the plight of the lower class, and are often spiritual and religious in nature.

The sound of roots reggae is no different from what most people know as reggae;. What defines roots reggae as a subgenre are the words, which call attention to poverty and government oppression, and are often associated with the Rastafari movement. The artist most often associated with roots reggae is Bob Marley. Even though they are both highly popular in Jamaica, roots reggae and dancehall music are often seen as the antithesis of one another, mostly due to the lyrics.