Rastafari dreadlock opinions, and ban?

2 part question.

My family and I are thinking of going to the Cayman Islands in the near to distant future. I thought that since the Caymans were origionally coloinies of Jamica, there would be a big rasta populas. Then it occured to me that they might not like me cause my dreads. Im aware that the rastas grow dreads for religious purposes, whould they consider my dreads blashphamy?

So I did a little research on the rastafari movement in the Caymans, and lo and behold I found some disturbing information. Their govt has banned the rastafari from visiting, and all those wearing hippy or rasta attire. It says that the refuse entry to those with dreaded up hair. This was in the 70's. Is this still true? Heres the source
http://books.google.com/books?id=ie...&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result on page 193

Thanks

 

that's really messed up. i wouldn't even want to go there.

 

I'm sure your money is the right colour.

 

i would have to agree with this one.
and if you still worry, just wear your tam.

 

does any one know if rastas think dreddy non rastas are blasmphahy (terrible spelled),
or if this ban is still in effect?

 

anyone? The trips supposed to happen pretty soon, I need to know

 

well I dunno anything about the ban. But my partner is a devout rasta and he gets highly offended when he sees people sport dreads for pure fashion. I dont think rastas care so much whether your rasta or not...its just if you have heart. What do you live your life by? Do you practice one love principles? Do you give respect to all walks of life human or not? I think these are the things that count the most and that shine through you. So whether your black or white [uh oh..feel a MJ song comin on here...ooohoo * yes Im a complete dork] it dont matter. Its the spark in your eye that people look for to judge who you are and whether they should be offended by you or not. Does that make sense? AS long as you sport confidence with your locks and give respect...you'll be fine.

 

who cares if the rasta doesn't like you. you got the hair for your own reason

 

Yea, I definatly don't have them for fashion, who in their right mind would have frizzy chunks of hair with globs of loose hair for fashion? For me, its a lesson of peace, paticince, self accomplishment, self humuliation, and self esteem, and respect to everyone who deserves it (anyone who isn't a jerk). Could you ask your partner for me if most rastas wouln't consider my dreads blasmphmy?

Blasphamy's pretty serious busness. Would you wear a shirt that said Hail Satan, to a christian church? You gotta respect other peoples religions.

 

if a group of people had a problem with me because i let my hair do what it naturally/easily does, i wouldn't mind being their satan. symbolism like this tears people apart. me not having locks to please a rasta would be like a black person divorcing their white husband to please the KKK.

i guess this is more of me having a problem with people imposing their religion on another person. i think its noble of you to go out of your way to please others who want to control you, but i see it as them stepping on your toes, not the other way around.

 

My partner doesnt see it as blasphemy hun. For, I have dreads but am not rasta. Its all about where your head and heart is. I respect you for going out of your way to take other peoples views into consideration. That right there shows that your on the right path. Dont worry about offending anyone though. Go have a blast and if you come across some rastas maybe you all can teach eachother a thing or two!

 

I'm by know ways debating geting rid of them, I was just wondering how much crap I'll get If I visit (apparantly not) the cayman islands or Jamica or another Rasta country.
You're point about me going out of my way to please others who want to control me would be valid, but I have an argument. Albiet, the only source of rastafi I know would be reggae music, but from that I can tell all they want is peace and nonconformity. And herb. And I'm all for that. Its not like were opposits or anything, we're almost the same. We just have a god with a different name.
Holy moly, thats is going in a song. Nobody steal it please
Anyways, I'd like for them to see me as a friend, not an enemy.

 

Thanks, it means alot.

 

ooo i think that song'd be good ...hurry and write it up bfor u forget ..also like others have said ...i dont think theyll think its blasphamy just go have fun..im sure everything will be fine, you have your dreddies for a reson, its your own and there resons there own..all respect going around then im sure all will be fine

 

i would, but thats just me.


i dont think (from my experience) that rastas look down on non-rasta dreadies.. ive only ever had positive feedback from them and im just a common white girl. maybe theres more information someplace? i mean the 70s were quite a while ago, things might've changed.. you could always plea your case. youre not a rasta//not trying to be one etc.. i dunno really =/

 

I just read the extract and it appears to read that the Caymans have only banned jamaicans with a rastafari image. I think as long as your not Jamaican you'll be fine. But I also read that some places on the island don't permit dreads in.. I dunno I'm high but this was 30 years ago. It might have changed

 

Any one ever been there?

 

Call up your local travel agent and have him/her do a few calls. This worked for when I was doing research on visiting Brazil ( I heard some parts of it kidnap locals, and the travel agent did his work and gave me the honest truth...)

 

i found most rastas give utmost respect if you give respect back
an old rasta asked me once if i deffend rastafari and i told him honnestly my views and he respected that..like you said, you know very lil about the rasta movement except what u know from reggae but you feel your very simular in many ways, thats respect and most rastas if you told them exactlythat would be happy to tell you more

in a way they are all one religuion, the differences between jewish the thousands of varieties of christian and rastas are few but the simularities many
its easy to find common ground as long as you stop paying so much attention to the petty lil differences

christianity is all based on 1 book, yet theres 10000 different versions of christians, each choosing to believe 1 passsage morte then another or disregard whole books entirewly
rasta is also based on that book, but also a long oral traddition as well to suplimenmt it

in philly theres a big fest..odunde every june to celebrate thye african new year..thousands and thousands of rastas come
they take part in a religios cerimony thats not exactly rasta but african instead marchuing to the river to feedthe river goddess oshu
ive gone to odunde many manyt times taken part in the cerimony every chance ive gotten and never once have any rastas ever treatted me with any disrespect
rastas know more then any people that skin color doesnt matter..its whats in the heart ands soul that makes you a good person
just treat themwith respect and they will do the same

 

I dont think anyone has ownership over dreads anyway, dreads arent exclusive to rastafari, and they also didnt start with rastafari, so like everyone has said, rock your beliefs and if you arent accepted for that then so be it, I know 2 rastafari guys who chatted to me about locks and stuff without any hint of distain, or enquiry as to my beliefs... Im guessing its all just a rumour thats got enhanced over the years.