Rastafarian

By The Manolith Team on January 23rd, 2009

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A Rastafarian is a person who is under obligation to wear his hair in dreadlocks. But not every dreadlocked man is a Rastafarian. The followers of the Rastafari Movement are also under a ritual obligation to smoke cannabis, no alcohol, and practice vegetarianism.

The Rastafari Movement is a recent phenomenon that originated in Jamaica in the 1920s. It considers blacks to be God’s chosen people and follows the teachings of Marcus Garvey.

Here are some more Rastafarian facts for you -

• The Rastafarians believe in a God that they call Jah.
• Ethiopian emperor Ras Tafari Makonnen gives his name to the movement.
• Ras Tafari Makonnen, took on the name Haile Selassie, and is considered to be the physical presence of Jah.
• Rastafarians supposedly habor strong feelings against whites for the injustices perpetrated by them on the black community.
• The Rastafarians are expected to remain in a state of preparation for an exodus to Africa. Till then the Rastas are expected to work for “liberation before repatriation.”, i.e. the liberation of Jamaicans from poverty and oppression.

To round off, here are some Rasta words -

• Ovastand – It replaces “understand” and implies a raising of one’s consciousness.
• Livication – Replaces “dedication”, positive connotations here – livi (life) over ded (dead).
• Zion – Ethiopia or Africa.

(Photo courtesy of liber)