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)
Comments
Andrea
January 26th, 2009 - 9:49:39 AM
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. Rastafarians are not OBLIGED to wear their hair in dreadlocks. They don't have to if they don't want to. Nor do they HAVE to smoke cannabis. Warm regards Andrea
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deidra
December 31st, 2009 - 2:13:52 PM
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeesssome
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Janet
January 4th, 2010 - 12:11:49 PM
Thank you Andrea you took the out of right out my mouth.. I am a Rasta and I do not smoke weed nor do I have too there are many Rasta men and women i know that do not smoke and also there are Rasta that do eat meat but don't eat pork. I believe in God and I don't call him Jah however Haile Selassie came to Jamaica speaking the word of God he never said that he was God..
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Melaku
February 15th, 2010 - 4:25:43 PM
Sis Yanet, you should ever call the the holy herb "weed" ad if you are a Rasta you have to dread its i the bible numbers 6 Jah is a shorte version of Jehovah ice your not suppose to say his name just say Jah or Yah Selassie denied he was God because who would have believed him if he said that he was theres plenty of people who say that they are the christ but no one believes them praise Jah people just think that they are crazy so thats why he denied being devine
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