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Renata
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Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 05:47 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Almost makes me wish I was Rastafarian. I think I'm going to cry. Also, a question: do Rastafarians REALLY worship Haile Selassie? I always thought they'd considered his reign as the coming of something or other, a new era or whatever, but I didn't "know" they worshipped him. I don't trust every thing that's printed by the media, so if you really know this aspect of Rastafarianism, let me know.


Original story found here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070520/wl_nm/missjamaica_dc_1 but I'll post it for you.

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - With dreadlocks down to below her buttocks, the first Rastafarian to compete for the Miss Universe title is out to smash the stereotype that Rastas are only interested in reggae and marijuana.

Zahra Redwood, 25 and the first Miss Jamaica to be crowned from the country's minority Rastafarian faith, is also shaking up a years-old view among many Rastas that beauty pageants should be shunned as degrading to women.

"Not all Rastafarians smoke" marijuana, Redwood, a classically beautiful Jamaican with a degree in biotechnology and zoology, told Reuters.

"People criticize what they don't know or understand and develop preconceptions, and so given that, I have gone against what they've developed as a stereotype," said Redwood, who is in Mexico for the Miss Universe final on May 28 in Mexico City.

Rastafarians -- who worship the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie as a God they call "Jah" -- stress peace, love, spiritual goals and natural living, Redwood said, denying a clash between Rasta culture and being a beauty queen.

"The Rastafarian culture and beauty pageants have a great deal in common because they both promote decorum in the attitude of the female and the female as a role model in society. You're looking at beauty of the mind, body and soul," she said.

Rather than discrimination, the main reason for a dearth of Rasta beauty queens on the international circuit is the movement's rejection of the more corrupt or gaudy facets of modern society, which they call "Babylon," Redwood said.

MADE FAMOUS BY BOB MARLEY

Made famous around the world by Bob Marley's reggae songs, the Rasta culture emphasizes human dignity and self-respect.

"Rastafarians have been a very conservative group so modeling and pageants have been considered Babylonian to some extent," Redwood said.

But the reaction from fellow Rastafarians to her competing to be Miss Universe against women from some 75 other countries has been overwhelmingly positive, partly because black women with dreadlocks are so rarely seen in beauty contests, she said.

"They've been very, very happy for what they consider a psychological breakthrough. For them it's a huge thing," Redwood said.

The Rastafari movement was born in Jamaica in the 1930s after Haile Selassie's coronation in Ethiopia. Followers started to worship Haile Selassie, who died in 1975, as a type of messiah, in light of a 1920 prophecy by Jamaican civil rights leader Marcus Garvey that a black man would be crowned king in Africa.

Roughly a 10th of Jamaicans are Rastafarians, many of whom also take literally a biblical verse in the book of Leviticus that instructs against taking a razor to one's head.

In the Miss Universe 2007 line-ups, Redwood's twisty black dreadlocks, often massed into a huge bun, stand out from the lacquered manes of the other contestants.

"For the final I'm still not sure what style I will go with. But of course the locks have to show," she said.

Smoking marijuana, known in Jamaica as ganja, is a sacred rite for many Rastas, but Redwood said she does not smoke it.
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Renata
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Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 06:27 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I cut my hair short a week ago and I'm considering locs. I'll bet they'll look GORGEOUS.
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Moonsigns
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Posted on Saturday, May 26, 2007 - 03:51 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

A Rasta in a beauty pageant?! Interesting. But yes, Rastas really worship Selassie, and they really smoke up, too - they luv to smoke!

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Robynmarie
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 09:28 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Here she is!
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Renata
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 11:13 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

That hair has GOT TO BE heavy.

I don't think I'd want to grow mine that long...but I'm not Rastafarian, so I can always CUT them.
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Latina_wi
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 02:18 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

This is a very encouraging story, good for her. To be honest I am more impressed by her degree than anything else, it stands out to me.

She does have a very beautiful face and a charisma though. She is right; not all Rastafarians smoke up to the extent that people like to potray. And the sensi they do smoke is not the average you find on the high street, they are very particular about it as it has various meanings and connection to them.

Amd rastas do not worship Selaasie (sp) like he is their 'lord' or something. Their worship is to 'Jah', they just celebrate the Ethiopian leader as forward thinking and a good figurehead for Ethiopia. Rastas see Etiopia as their spirtual home.
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Latina_wi
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 02:19 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

And Renata get the locks...there is always something lovely about a woman with locks.

I don't know what you look but if you think it would suit your face shape then go for it.
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Yukio
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 10:08 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

she looks like a doll....
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Libralind2
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Posted on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 11:02 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I will be cutting my hair before it gets that long as the lenght it is now is getting on my nerves LOL
LiLi
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Renata
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Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 12:11 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Lili, I have a couple of questions for you:

1. Did you twist your hair yourself or have it done in a salon?
2. How often must you re-twist it?
3. Did you use a product to twist it and if so, what kind of product?

Give me any other helpful information you have.

I've asked a person who does it and he says he uses beeswax, but I've heard that beeswax can be dirty and attract all kinds of icky stuff, so I'm trying to find out what alternatives I have.

Thanks for any answers.
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Crystal
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Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 01:12 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Renata, here's a site for you. A recent string is "how did you start your locs".

http://www.nappturality.com/forum/index.php?showforum=5
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Carey
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Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 01:53 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

UMMMM that's nice! I wonder if she can cook lol ? I didn't see her on the program, not even in any of the little side segments. I did see ol'girl slip and fall. Did anyone notice a hate thing going on for Miss USA. Did I hear some booing towards her or was that something else?
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Libralind2
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Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 07:44 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Hi Renata. What I did was cut all my perm off and was left with short curly hair. One day I decided I would shampoo and not comb as my intent was maintenance free hair. Not locks or twists and certainly not dreads which is what I have. So what had happened was..lol..when I made the decision to not comb my hair...it started locking. I then pulled and did a double twist and only shampooed my hair once a month. It would take me two days to twist up. I have never gone to a professional who works with this look. I was a hair designer for 17 years so I know a little about hair but this was a different experience for me. Sometimes I had to cut the locks/dreads as they would get too thick and I like the smaller peices of hair as I think they look better particulary because of my age (57). I only use OYL, which is a oil in a small bottle, on my hair and tried the beeswax once only to decide it wasnt for me. I am looking for something to help me with the front as it hasnt locked/dreaded like the rest AND this grey hair is contrary. Will NOT ack rite LOL I saw a product Im going to try..sorry I dont remember the name but after I try it as Im buying it this weekend..I'll let you know. I will add..it took me 2 years to get the look I wanted. Im in the 6th year and if I had to do it all over..NOT. In fact Im cutting it off when Im 60.
LiLi
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Renata
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Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 08:17 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Thank you both, Lili and Crystal.

I've already twisted my hair. I just did it today. It's in somewhat small, but not too small, twists. There are 5 across the bottom back and 9 across the very front, to give you some idea of what the size of it is like. Is that too few across the front? I used something called Sulphur 8 twist and loc gel. It seems to be fine so far, and it holds the twists pretty well.

Lili, from your picture I would never have even guessed you were in your fifties. I don't know what kind of vitamins you're taking, but I WANT SOME.

I'm so excited about having locs! I decided to loc my hair in the hopes that I will learn patience through them. When I'm not happy with my hair, I'm really quick to just either put some chemical in it or cut it.
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Renata
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Posted on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 08:33 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Lili, is there any particular reason you're cutting them off at that age? Is there any significance to the age or to the cutting?
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Crystal
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Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 11:40 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I feel ya on the grey hair not acting right Lili! There's always a few that want to do their own thing. I was also on a quest for maintenance free hair. That's why I went natural and although it's not maintenance free - wash, dab w/a little Care Free Curl Gold 'n pick works for me. I've thought of locking but I can't be bothered with twisting and such.

Enjoy your journey Renata!
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Libralind2
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Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 12:01 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Crystal..it is more than a notion. I have no idea what I was thankin..LOL I have decided 60 is the age I will cut it and wear it short and maintenance free..like I was trying to do in the first place. LOL I WILL keep it S H O R T. whew. LOL Oh and Thanks Renata ::blushing:: Im doing nothing special. Just try to live right and eat well.
LiLi
By the way Renata..I believe that is the name of the product I saw and will try. I'll let you know..
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Renata
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Posted on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 01:58 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Well, natural hair isn't really all that maintenance free, either. It has to be washed more often and it takes gel FOREVER to dry, and wet hair on my neck just bothers the HELL out of me. Which is why I so often went back to relaxers...but I guess if you keep it really short, it should help.
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Libralind2
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Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2007 - 09:50 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Oh short is where Im headed and it will be more freeing than what Im doing LOL
LiLi
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Renata
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Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2007 - 10:45 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I actually don't mind the maintenance myself. Just washing it twice a week and twisting a couple of times a month WILL be a whole lot less maintenance than what I'm doing now...but I hear it's going to take at least two months before my hair locks. I need to be patient and learn to wait something out sometimes. I now see why I drove my mother crazy with my two hours of hot curling my hair EVERY DAY as a teen. I'm surprised she didn't shave my head herself.
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Libralind2
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Posted on Saturday, June 02, 2007 - 04:14 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yep..it took me more than two months. It was a good year or so before I spent less than two days twisting my hair to make sure it wasnt in huge hunks..like most dreads are. I wasnt trying to look like a Rasta. LOL My hair texture could also have something to do with it as it is wavy curly and why I was surprised it even locked up. The inital locking of a few peices of hair did occur within about three months but my entire head of hair took much longer..like I stated above. In the words of a man we all know "it was hard werk". LOL
LiLi
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Renata
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Posted on Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 11:53 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I'm having a little trouble. From my crown going back and the sides are twirling tightly with no trouble. The very top doesn't curl much and I may have to retwist them in smaller sections to get them just right. They kind of look loose at the end and puffy at the root.
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Libralind2
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Posted on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 08:31 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Hmmmm I think that is what I did. I had and still have trouble with the front.
LiLi
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Libralind2
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Posted on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 08:32 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

In fact..I knew this was going to happen. I look like a vampire as the front of my hair has turned grey over night....it seems..oh geesh LOL
LiLi
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Renata
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Posted on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 09:17 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I asked a girl that I saw at the mall about it. She has gorgeous locks. She said that EVERYONE has problem with the top.

Well, I realized something: the back of my hair is always rubbing against my pillow and maybe that helps. I can tell the back is starting to get "tough". I think it's probably going to lock before 3 months. The top of it, I will twist and rub it with a rough fabric sometimes and see if that toughens it up a bit.
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Libralind2
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Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - 06:39 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

WOW..that makes sense. Im getting my lock gel either tonight..if the store where I saw it is open or tomorrow..wish me luck LOL This grey..is going to be HAIL to lock...lawd..Im about to move that hair cut up...
LiLi
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Renata
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Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - 07:41 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I've heard that you can wrap the stray hairs around a lock, or tuck it in from the top. Hope that helps.
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Libralind2
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Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 11:12 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Gurlllllllllll I LOVE this Sulpher 8 lock gel. I was planning to wash hair but dont have shampoo..will do it later..in the meantime I said to myself..lets see what it will do on my dry hair..I am doing the happy dance. Its laying the grey down like I wanted..and I know once I shampoo its going to be tight. I love the feel of the Sulpher 8 gel as it is very light. YEAHHH LOL As for wrapping the stray hairs around a lock.? That wasnt working in my case. I tried but it looked fuzzy. So all the new hair goes into a new small lock.
LiLi

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