RASTA RASTAFARI RASTAFARIANISM LIVITY DEBRA FRIEDEN PHOTOGRAPHS TRUE RASTA

Photographer Debra Friedens portraiture's of "true" Rasta, Rasta Elders, and eventually Rasta families is currently under way.

Rastas & Rastafari culture is a unique and under-documented area. I seek out to document "true" Rastas, by photographing portraits of the people.

I am compiling beautiful and dignified portraits of individuals, as well as documenting each individual for historical purposes.

I was recently asked what denotes a "True Rasta" as it is stated in the video. This is a more recent update of happenings since this first video was created.

These portraits are examples of earliest portraits taken in Jamaica in Jericho, Little London, Clarendon, Lucie & other areas, with a few taken in Asheville NC at the first annual RALAKfest of specific individuals. The few was not exclusionary to others, it was a matter of time and access as the event was very busy.

My 2nd body of portraits which are not shown, have encompassed several other geographical journeys to Jamaica which include an 86 year old Rasta in St. Ann Parish, St. Thomas USVI (Senator Terrence "Positive" Nelson - the first Rastafari Senator in the US and it's territories), to Baltimore Maryland to photograph a police officer suspended for not cutting his dreads, represented by the ACLU for being permitted to express himself with symbols and belief system of Rastafari, subsequently and successfully returned to service, and Asheville North Carolina to photograph a family, who is planning their (3rd visit) trod to Shashemane Ethiopia, Kenya and Ghana for 13 months. They are a lovely family, in which the husband is Caucasian, and wife is African/Kenyan born.

I do not restrict portraits based on color. In fact I am extremely open to encompassing ALL Rasta brethren and sistren. Diversity is encouraged, but committment to Rastafari, must be focused.

I am only trying to delineate between "fashion" dreadlocks or "rent a rasta" type individuals. I only consider true followers of Haile Selassie I and Rastafarian movement in the heartical sense. Better put by the wikipedia site at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyaric explaining: "It's not the dread upon your head, but the love inna your heart that mek ya Rasta..." meaning that many Rasta faithful themselves lack dreadlocks, while some non-Rastas, "wolves inna sheeps clothes," may wear dreads solely for fashion. Those who are dedicated to Rastafari, is exactly the type individual, in which my portrait works are focused on. I 100% embrace everyone, as long as their commitment is "true."

Peace and Blessings. Debra

Photographs are copyright protected and registered Debra Frieden. No permissions for use are granted. All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected ©

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Rasta
• Jah
• Rastafari
• Debra
• Frieden
• Photographer
• Photography
• Fine
• Art
• Portrait
• Portraiture
• Sepia
• Documentary
• Jamaica
• West
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• Reggae
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• Tafari
• livity
• marley

[DebraFrieden]

My answer to you would be yes.

[DebraFrieden]

You should hear music. IF you do not - click the little number at the bottom of the youtube video (right side) that says either 480p or 360p. One or the other will work with your sound system.

[DebraFrieden]

Sorry Reggae fans, I could not find any youtube audioswap music in the category, to work as well as "The Juice to Make it Happen/Erasmus." Trust me, I tried. Enjoy! - DF

[tamalmachakow]

So what is a " true rasta " ? A black man with dreadlocks?? See , I believe the same things. I believe the true teachings come from the black Hebrews . Yet I am a native American Indian with straight black hair that could never go into locks. I believe in the herb. I believe in Christ and Tafari and also the one who came to my people , Miyapaki.. Am I a tru rasta??

[albertwilliams2007]

Greetings

The work you are proposing is admirable.

It is along the same line as a work that I am working on

Dread Rastafari and Ethiopia

I think we could help each other here.

Ras Albert

[damiangt]

Jah will Guide The I, Bless Up