Rastas

1 8.1

People who follow a Jamaican religion called Rastafari and often wear dreadlocks

noun
/ˈræstəz/

NSFW

: rastafaris

Her friends often invited her to reggae concerts, where the Rastas shared their beliefs and lifestyle.

I'm sitting in a studio with some white Rastas, drinking rum, smoking weed because I felt comfortable with them.

Autoplay Next

Examples

Our last night there, we were sharing a skunk, chillin' with these two massive Rastas.

Human Traffic (1999)
I'm sitting in a studio with some white Rastas, drinking rum, smoking weed because I felt comfortable with them.

Anything Goes With James English
To this question, the Rastas echo a resounding yes!

Academic text (2000)
Ever since their appearance in Jamaica in the 1930s, Rastas have wedded a social political philosophy to Judeo-Christian scripture and its messianic tradition.

Academic text (2000)
As a result, the poetic beauty and power of the Psalms have found a permanent home in reggae rhythms and Rastas' religious and political discourse.

Academic text (2000)
The Rastas in Jamaica celebrate their culture with music, art, and vibrant community gatherings.
Many Rastas advocate for a return to Africa, believing that Ethiopia is their promised land.

Surface Forms

Rastas singular

Rastas plural

Morphology

Rastas = Rasta (transparent) = Rasta + s

Regular plural formation from the noun 'Rasta'; the meaning is directly the plural of the base word.

Etymology

Rastas comes from Rastafari, which comes from the Ethiopian title Ras and the name Tafari. Think of Ras as 'head' or 'leader', so Rastas are people who follow that leader's faith and culture, known for dreadlocks and reggae.