Jah Rastafari

Originating as a subculture of Jamaica in the early 1930s the Rastafari where heavily influenced by the teachings of Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born black nationalist who promoted a message of self-determination and black pride. It can be argued however, that another preacher by the name of Leonard Howell inspired by Garvey’s teachings and elements of Ethiopianism was amongst one of the more prominent figures in the early development of the Rastafarian culture. He taught people about their history and helped to establish the first Rastafarian community in Jamaica.

A prophecy made in the 1920s by Garvey stated, ‘look to Africa, when a black king shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is at hand.’ This swiftly followed the ascension to the throne in Ethiopia of the Emperor Haile Selassie I, whose name prior to his crowning was Ras Tafari Makonnan. Many Rastafari took this to be a sign that he was their messiah, the king of kings and lion of Judah.

Most Rasta follow a diet that is referred to as I-tal which consists of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and pulses. It is a natural diet free from additives and chemicals and does not contain meat. This is because they believe that the body is a temple and as such eating meat would turn it into a cemetery. The principles of a Rasta lifestyle are known as ‘livity’ meaning a commitment to live organically and harmoniously with the environment. Contrary to popular belief not all Rastafari smoke weed, it is optional. However, they believe that it opens the path to enlightenment and spiritual healing.

The language of the Rastafarian reflects their protest against oppression and authority. The best way to get to know them is to listen to them speak.

Often changing words from a negative to a positive meaning, they don’t say ‘hello’ because it has the word ‘hell’ in it but rather prefer to term the phrase ‘Wah Gwaan’. From ‘understand’ to ‘overstand’ because being over something is better than being under something.

Probably the most famous Rastfarian is the late singer songwriter Bob Marley who through his reggae music was propelled into the limelight and onto the global stage. Reggae music gained popularity in the 1960s and 70s w ith young people around the world and along with this the Rastafarian culture which spread the message of peace, love and unity.

The most visible aspect of a Rasta are the colours red, gold, green. Red signifies the blood of those that have been killed throughout history, green for the vegetation and hope, gold symbolises the wealth of Ethiopia.

Another common characteristic of a Rastafarian are the dreadlocks, although seen as a widespread popular hairstyle, today the dreadlocks of a true Rastafarian have a far more meaningful purpose.

Rastafarians follow the law of the Nazarite which prohibits the cutting or combing of the hair. The vows are a way of demonstrating the deeply personal and spiritual journey that’s helps to connect them to their community and to their faith. In the 1950s and 60s Jamaica carried out a survey to find out who was Rastafarian and discovered that a lot of young people were covering themselves with dreadlocks identifying or rather disguising as a Rastafarian who were in fact criminals this resulted in the Rastafarian community being given a bad name. As widespread as Rastafari has come, they still face discrimination and harassment today because they choose to live a life differently from the rest of society.