Some people think Rastafarianism revolves around dreadlocks and pot. However, there is much more to this special religion than what most people would think. The Rastas have a rich history filled with enslavement, exile, and hundreds of thousands of followers. We see this through the development leaders, writings, and their belief in one unique god.
Rastafari, sometimes referred to as Rastafarianism is a religion developed in Jamaica in the 1930s. Rastafarianism is an Abrahamic religion, meaning it descends from Judaism. The first branch of Rastafarianism is believed to be founded by Leonard P. Howell in 1935. The religion was formed based on the colonization of Africa. The Europeans took black slaves captive and forced them to work. The prophecy of the Rastafarians is followed by Emperor Haile Selassie I in Ethiopia. Selassie is referred to as the black messiah by the Rastafarians. He is even more largely referred to as Jah Rastafari, or just Jah. Jah is a figure of salvation, the Rastafarians believe that he will reunite them and redeem them from white suppressors. It is also believed he will bring them all back to their home country of Africa.
When Howell founded Rastafari he preached that all blacks would get superiority over the whites and that it has always been intended for them to rule over the whites. Howell persuaded the people to spread his word and his beliefs. In the 1960’s Selassie visited Jamaica and the Jamaicans threw a festival in celebration because he is their greatest figure of Rastafari. Haile Selassie I was born with the name Ras Tafari Makonnen in 1892. As you can see the Rastafarian’s name stemmed from Selassie. He became Ethiopia’s emperor in 1930 and ruled for 44 years. There was a famine in 1973 which led to the dethroning of Selassie. He still remains an icon in the eyes of the approximate seven hundred thousand to one million Rastafarians worldwide.
The sacred texts of the Rastafarians is called the Holy Piby. It is also known as the black man’s bible. The Holy Piby was written by Robert Athlyi Rogers in the 1920’s. The original copy is extremely rare. There are no copies of the Holy Piby listed in the Library of Congress or the University of California catalogs, this is very strange. The Holy Piby was banned in Jamaica and most of the Caribbean Islands in the middle and late 1920s. Today the Holy Piby is used by many Rastafarians and is supposedly their primary sacred text.
Rastafarians believe that their religion is a mixture of both Judaism and Christianity. The Rastafarians teach and believe in many things. One thing that preach is the use of marijuana. Marijuana is regarded to by the Rastas as “wisdomweed,” Rasta leaders have always informed the people to smoke it as a “religious rite”. It is believed that marijuana was found growing on the grave of King Solomon. They also refer to biblical passages, such as Psalms 104:14, “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” They believe that they should smoke marijuana because it is an herb and can be used for the service of man. The Rastas also have dietary and Hygienic laws too. They tell their people to eat things that aren’t meat, they refuse to eat pork. Things that they do eat are shellfish, scaleless fish, snails, predatory and scavenger species of marine life, and many common seasonings like salt. The hygienic laws of the Rastafarians include never defacing the body, never cutting facial or head hair. They allow their hair to grow out and entangle into each other. This hairstyle is widely known as dreadlocks.
Much like Christianity and Judaism Rastafarians believe in life after death. They believe that they’re god Jah will have what they call judgement day. Everyone will be reincarnated on “Mount Zion” in Africa and they will live forever in freedom. The Rastafarians also believe in Jesus but not in the way Christians do. They just see Jesus and respect the things he taught.
There are many symbols that are connected to the religion of Rastafaria. Rastas often claim the flag of Ethiopia when Haile Selassie’s was emperor. The flag has to do with the lion of Judah, the lion is a symbol of the Ethiopian monarchy. The colors of the Rastafarian religion are known as red, gold, green, and black. The Ethiopian flag is red, gold and green, they use these colors to show their allegiance to Africa that they want to return to the Ethiopian homeland. Red is shown as the “blood spilt in the name of freedom”, so basically the blood of slaves brought over during the colonial period. Green symbolizes Jamaica and its trees and grass and land, Jamaica’s vegetation holds an important place in the people of Rastafarianism. Gold is the symbol of the wealth of Ethiopia, it is also a symbol of hope and faith. Black is the color of African skin and is known as a color of holiness. The colors are shown on houses, vehicles, and clothes to “create unity among the believers.”
The lion of Judah is as said, connected to Haile Selassie, a former emperor of Ethiopia who the Rastafarians worship as the Messiah like Christians refer to Jesus. Rastafarians think that Selassie’s family can be traced back to the Tribe of Judah. The tribe of Judah used the lion as a symbol, and Haile is often called the “Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” They believe that colonialism destroyed the people of Africa and ruined their self identity. The Rastas are supposed to use the traits of a lion, like self confidence, they take back their identity and strength. Lions are shown with the Rastafarian colors, on statues and flag. Lions are also a commonly used within reggae music.
There are also many interesting and unique facts. Rastafarians celebrate Christmas on January 7th. They do this because it is Ethiopian Christmas on that day. Another interesting fact is that Rastafari don’t have churches or official places of meeting. Rastafarians usually gather once a week in the homes of their peers, or at a local Rasta community center. Also, Rastafari use marijuana as part of their religion. They smoke marijuana, or “ganja”, During “Reasoning Sessions” they smoke together and discuss issues in their community and in the world. Every meeting also has a huge feast afterwards which is pretty ironic.
Also, The official Rastafari religion music is known as Nyabingi. This music is an interesting mixture of 19th century gospel music and includes traditional African drums. Nyabingi is also filled with common traits of Burru music, Burru music is what Jamaican slaves sang to each other to keep their spirits up. Nyabingi music is usually played while people smoke and talk during the Reasoning Sessions. In the 1970s, Bob Marley began the reggae movement, which is a music that sounds very similar to Nyabingi. Rastafarians began using his music often, as well as other reggae artists, during their Reasoning Sessions.
Rastafarians also have a special clothing. A lot of Rastafari wear red, yellow, and green beanies called “rastacaps” or “tams” to hold their dread locks out of the way and on top of their head. There is a very interesting Rastafari woman named Asha Mandela who resides in Florida. This woman has the Guinness World Record for the longest dreadlocks. Asha’s dreadlocks are over 50 feet long, and weigh around 40 pounds and she has to carry them in a basket tied around her back.
The religion of Rastafarianism is very interesting and inspirational. One thing I found inspirational is that like Christianity, they believe in one god and they believe that he will guide them through life. Another part of Rastafarianism that inspired me is that they all gather and think about what they can do to help their community. This fine religion can help you to become a better Christian by teaching us to stick together and help each other out whenever someone needs it.