A Jamaican Rasta man is a man who belongs to the Rastafari movement, which originated in Jamaica. Although it is commonly thought of as a religion, Rastas consider it a lifestyle and culture as well as a spiritual path.
The Rastafari movement started in the 1930s and is based on the teachings of Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican who had a vision of uniting black people around the world and returning to Africa.
Rastas are also known for their dreadlocks, which stem from a Biblical commandment to avoid cutting hair. The Rastafari movement is peaceful, with many Rastas taking part in anti-war and other pacifist movements.
As Jamaican Rastafari began to immigrate to the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, small, localized, and homogeneous Rastafari communities began to spring up across the country. One such community appeared in San Francisco where this photograph was taken.
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