Rastafarianism originated in Jamaica around the nineteen twenties and nineteen thirties. The religion was started off in 1930 by Marcus Garvey. Garvey’s prophecy established the rastafarian movement. Marcus Garvey was an African American political leader that led an organization called the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Garvey’s association was meant to unite African Americans with their origin. In Rastafarianism is a religious denomination originating from Jamaica. Throughout the years, the Rastafarian denomination continued to grow into Jamaica. Rastafarianism is a unique denomination that believes differently from other religions, worships differently, however are unique like other religions.
The Rastafarianism originated around the 1930’s in Jamaica by Marcus Garvey and the African Americans who felt oppressed by white people and the middle class. Rastafarianism is a religion composed of those who were oppressed by slavery. As slavery at the time was still a recurring issue, the rastafari people believed that the African American people were being robbed of their culture because the Rastafari were not allowed to practice their customs.Marcus Garvey was born on 1887 in Jamaica. Garvey’s political empowerment teachings for the African Americans was what inspired the founding of the religion. Marcus Garvey was a leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association which was created to help African Americans who were being mistreated at the hand of the white class. Marcus Garvey’s prophecy was “Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be your redeemer.” The prophecy was then fulfilled when Haile Selassie I became the Emperor in Ethiopia On November 2, 1930. The Rastafari believed that with the crowning of Haile Selassie I, the prophecy of Marcus Garvey was fulfilled. The name for the religion of Rastafarianism refrained from the original name of Haile Selassie I which was Ras Tafari Makonnen. Haile Selassie I was revered as the black messiah, or Jah. The Rastas believed that Haile Selassie is Jah or God. Haile Selassie is the symbol of salvation for the Rastafari. In 1935, Leonard P. Howell established one first branches of Rastafari. Leonard P. Howell was born on 1898 where he later moved to the United States. Living in the United States, Howell joined Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association. Working with the association, Howell was able to become one of Garveys top men in the U.S. Trouble came in 1928 when Garvey was arrested for various crimes then deported. Leonard P. Howell was able to meet with him in 1932. Howell preached and praised the wisdom of Selassie and stated that African Americans will procure superiority over white people. Howell’s preachings inspired people to preach Rasta theology. Howell usually called the first rasta, marketed the uniting of the Rastafarians bringing ideals of peace, freedom, and faith to Africa. Howell also brought together the very first commune of 5,000 rastafarian people to Pinnacle, St. Catherine, Jamaica. In 1966 Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica for the first time and was greeted with love. Thereafter in 1975 Haile Selassie mysteriously passed away. It was of great controversy because the year before in 1974, a Marxist Revolution took place. The Rastafarian people did not want to accept the passing of their “Black Messiah” and believe that he will later return. Rastafarianism spread globally thanks to famous reggae singer Bob Marley. With the arise of Reggae music, rastafarianism was able to be spread through audio. Reggae music in the 1970’s, being so popular, spread Rastafari culture internationally. Bob Marley’s songs are full of Rastafarian culture. Bob Marley is one of the great reasons that Rastafarianism has one million members and is worldwide.
The Rastafarian denomination is different from other religions in their beliefs however it has similarities to some religions. As far as creed goes, Rastafarianism does not have a formal creed, however, there are six principles of a Rastafarian listed in the book The Rastafarians, the Dreadlocks of Jamaica by Leonard Barrett. Barrett was a scholar who studied the Rastafarian Denomination. The first principle was that Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie I is God or “Jah” living on earth. Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie I is God on earth because of Marcus Garvey’s prophecy. Garvey’s prophecy stated, “Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be the redeemer.” The second principle was that the black person is a living reincarnation of Israel who has been exiled by white people. The Rastafari have been oppressed by white people. Oppression is a huge topic when discussing Rastafarianism. The third principle is that the white person is inferior to the black person. Again, this ideal comes from being mistreated and enslaved by white people. The fourth principle is Jamaica is Hell and Ethiopia is Heaven. Rastafarians believe that Ethiopia is their home because Haile Selassie I was the ruler of Ethiopia. The fifth principle is the return of God which is emperor Haile Selassie I. The sixth and final principle is that in the future, black people will rule the world. The following is what the Rastafarians believe in.
Rastafarianism does not have a place of worship, however Rastafarians meet weekly in a member’s home or in a community center. These meetings are called reasoning sessions. These reasoning sessions include feasts, singing and prayer. The Rastafarians also read from the bible, however add their own interpretations to it. Music is another big part of their worship as Rastafari play music called Nyabingi. A unique aspect of Rastafarianism is that marijuana or “ganja” is part of worshipping. The Rastafarians believed that by smoking marijuana, it helps the soul and essence be one with Jah. Another aspect of Rastafarianism that one might believe is unique would be dreadlocks. Rastafarians grow out their hair and style it into dreadlocks because they believed wearing dreadlocks was spiritual and that it was justified in the bible. In Leviticus 21:5 says “ They shall not make baldness upon their head.” Rastafarians also are very strict on food. For example, Rastafarians will not drink milk or coffee, however will drink beverages ghat are herbal. These are all ways that Rastafarians worship.
Rastafarianism is a religious denomination among Jamaicans that preach the redemption of African Americans to their normal roots, justifies the use of marijuana for spiritual purposes, and the portrayal of former Emperor Haile Selassie I as a living God. Through the prophecy of Marcus Garvey and the wisdom of Leonard P. Howell or also known as the “first rasta” came Rastafarianism. Along enormous help of Reggae music and Bob Marley’s hits with Rastafarian ideals, spread Rastafarianism Internationally. Through the six principles of Rastafarianism are the main beliefs of the denomination. Rastafarianism worships differently than other religions by having seasoning sessions, smoking marijuana, and growing dreadlocks. All these things are a part of what makes Rastafarianism a unique religious denomination.