Who are rastamans, and what is the peculiarity of this subculture

Subculture "rastamany" in most people is associated with drugs (mostly cannabis) and music in the style of reggae. In fact, this current, which appeared at the beginning of the last century in the Caribbean, is more than cannabis and music. But those who associate Rastamans with drugs and reggae are partly right.

Representatives of this culture, as a rule, stand out from the crowd with simple, but bright apparels. Their main symbolism is a cannabis leaf, dreadlocks (according to the legend, when the end of the world comes, it is through them that all rastamans on the planet will be recognized and saved), sometimes crocheted hats in 3 colors: red, yellow, green.

Subculture in general is considered harmless, but still the world community treats its adherents with a certain fear because of their use of drugs. That is, in essence, rastaman is a person who cultivates and consumes cannabis, listens (and promotes among the broad masses) reggae, tries to comprehend the meaning of life, while not causing harm to others. In other words, this people is peaceful, without malice, but very peculiar.

Asking the average person the question of who the rastamans are, it is difficult to get an unambiguous (and even more so - the right one) answer. Most people perceive them as idlers and drug addicts who waste their lives in vain.

In general, initially this ideology appeared in Africa as a protest against American democratization. But over time it changed so much that from the former rastamans there was only symbolism. Modern representatives of this trend, in addition to philosophizing, smoking marijuana and playing drums, are not engaged in anything.

For those who do not know who Rastamans are and sees them for the first time, they may seem rather aggressive (perhaps because of the bright colors in their clothes and their hairstyles), but this is misleading. In addition to the indicated features, in this culture, as in any other, there are its prohibitions. In particular, its representatives are prohibited from smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol (they are limited to marijuana). In addition, real rastamans do not wear other people's things and do not eat food prepared by others. They do not drink cow's milk, do not consume pork and salt, and also clean fish and any mollusks.

In the post-Soviet society relatively recently learned who the rastamans are. Many youth representatives immediately tried to join this trend, but in connection with a rather superficial understanding of the values of the current and its philosophy, most are limited only to dreadlocks, bright caps and smoking cannabis.

A real prophet for any rastaman is Bob Marley, not only because of his music, but also because of his position in life. The texts of his songs are often quoted by representatives of culture, translated into various languages, paraphrased, etc.

In general, if we regard the current as religious (there is even a corresponding religion - rastafarianism), then it goes back to Christianity, and Islam, and Judaism. For true rastamans, this is really not just a way of life or pastime, but a real religion.

In addition to drugs, reggae, bright clothes and dreadlocks, the representatives of Rastafarianism have a lot of positive: belief in a better future, getting the most out of life today (rather than postponing everything good for tomorrow, as many do). So for those who do not know who are rastamans, the answer can be this: they are happy cheerful people with a kind of philosophy, a cult of marijuana, reggae and Bob Marley.