Queen Rasta reigns
published: Monday | April 2, 2007

Zahra sports locks that trail all the way below her buttocks. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer 'Everything that is great and glorifying is good for Rasta because Rasta don't always get the respect they deserve.'

Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

With locks that flow all the way down her back, Zahra Redwood does not represent the average Miss Jamaica Universe.

Last Sunday night the 25-year-old made history when she became the first Rastafarian woman to win a national beauty pageant in Jamaica.

"I've received a lot of positive feedback because I took a leap that has never been taken," Zahra, who was raised in the religion, explained. However, she never focused on her religion much when she decided to enter. She entered as the whole package; her intelligence and drive to help others being a few. The pageant was the ideal platform to bring her points across. "I'm entering as me, Zahra," she explained.

In addition to the crown, she was voted most aware and congenial.

Flair asked a number of popular Rastafarians what they thought of Zahra's win.

Yasus Afari, poet and author of 'Overstanding Rastafari: Jamaica's Gift to the World'.

"It goes against the traditional grain of Rastafari but we know that we are experiencing a paradigm shift," which he explained the youth is instrumental in leading. He added that this could not have happened to a better family as he has known her parents for years.

"We are not sure if it's an orchestration and with brand Jamaica being touted all over, and the Rastafarian presence being a part of the Jamaican culture (it is possible). But being the person she is, very enlightened and humble, she'll be able to make Rastafari and Jamaica proud.

"We can come away from this with some advantages despite the alluded disadvantages."

Zahra Redwood, Miss Jamaica Universe 2007, steps confidently in a swimsuit.

Capleton, entertainer

"Everything that is great and glorifying is good for Rasta because Rasta don't always get the respect they deserve." While this deviates from the traditional faith, he said, "It's her choice."

L'Antoinette Stines, choreographer

"For a Rasta woman to have done that, she had to have a lot of guts. Not only have the guts to do it but to have actually won."

"Big up to her man 'cause I know a lot of Rasta man going to cuss her. But if you say she is beautiful, humble and intelligent, I know she will represent Jamaica in a different way."

Asked whether they believed having a Rastafarian contestant in the competition would increase or decrease Jamaica's chance of winning, no one was sure, but they all said it will be interesting to see.

Kingsley Cooper, CEO of Pulse Entertainment, organisers of the competition, believes Zahra's religion may give her the edge.

"Personally, I think that being a Rastafarian will work for Zahra and will give her an edge at Miss Universe, because she is the real deal. Also, Rasta have religious and cultural significance for Jamaica and stands out in any company. However, Rastafarianism could be a double edged sword and how much of an advantage or disadvantage it is, will depend very much on the individual."