JAH - Etymology of the word 'Ras'.

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Etymology of the word 'Ras'.

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Messenger: Jonathan Ainsley Bain

Sent: 8/9/2023 6:36:51 AM

Does anyone here have any reasoning on the oldest origins of this word / title?

Of course the further we go back, the hazier it gets in linguistics, but I would just like to see what other's ideas are. Does not matter if its just a guess too.

Messenger: Evison Matafale Skræling

Sent: 8/9/2023 12:22:36 PM

http://jah-rastafari.com/forum/message-view.asp?message_group=6376&word_search=Rastau&SearchType=Phrase&SearchWhat=Messages

Messenger: Jonathan Ainsley Bain

Sent: 8/23/2023 3:16:45 AM

"1.) Rushaa or Rasha meaning Head or Headland "

It is strikingly similar to how numerous peoples use a similar term for leaders. "Roi" in French, means king, but also 'red'. Is the Red also typically the color for monarchy here. I note it is the topmost color on the flag too.

Messenger: JAH Child

Sent: 2/3/2024 8:23:42 PM

I love this reasoning! Give Ises brother Jonathan, give Ises brother Evison

Yes I the word Ras in Amharic means: self, head (anatomically) and also a military head or a head/leader or even the foremost of something. Used identically to the Hebrew Rosh, many different uses for that word and they all mirror the Amharic ones. I haven't ever heard or seen anyone use either term to mean Red but I might be wrong! Interesting note though about the French.

And notable also that the Ethiopian flag is green on top but has been red on top in history as well, it has switched more than once, so I am not sure if red has any relation to being foremost/head though, any more than green does.

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