Today, Rastafarians mark the birthday of Haile Selassie I, former Emperor of Ethiopia, whom they regard as God. Nyabingi sessions are held to honour the date.
Rastafari at a glance
Rastafari is a young, Africa-centred religion which developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, following the coronation of Haile Selassie I as King of Ethiopia in 1930.
Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie is God and that he will return to Africa members of the black community who are living in exile as the result of colonisation and the slave trade.
Rastafari theology developed from the ideas of Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of fellow blacks.
There are approximately one million world wide adherents of Rastafari as a faith. The 2001 census found 5,000 Rastafarians living in England and Wales.
Followers of Rastafari are known by a variety of names: Rastafarians, Rastas, Sufferers, Locksmen, Dreads or Dreadlocks.
* It spread globally following the success of Bob Marley and his music in the 1970s
* Rastafarians believe that blacks are the chosen people of God, but that through colonisation and the slave trade their role has been suppressed
* The movement's greatest concerns are the repatriation of blacks to their homeland, Africa, and the reinstatement of blacks' position in society
* It is an exocentric religion - as Haile Selassie, whom adherents consider as God, is outside the religion
* Rastafari religious ceremonies consist of chanting, drumming and meditating in order to reach a state of heightened spirituality
* Rastafarian religious practice includes the ritual inhalation of marijuana, to increase their spiritual awareness
* Rastafarians follow strict dietary laws and abstain from alcohol.
* Rastafarians follow a number of Old Testament Laws
* There is a separate code of religious practice for women in Rastafari
* Rastafarians believe reincarnation follows death and that life is eternal
* Rastafarians are forbidden to cut their hair; instead, they grow it and twist it into dreadlocks
* Rastafarians eat clean and natural produce, such as fruit and vegetables
* Rastafarians try to refrain from the consumption of meat, especially pork
* Rastafarians are opposed to abortion and contraception
Rastafarian colours
The Rastafarian colours are red, green and gold. Sometimes black is added. These colours are chosen because:
* Red signifies the blood of those killed for the cause of the black community, throughout Jamaican history
* Green represents Jamaica's vegetation and hope for the eradication of suppression
* Gold symbolises the wealth of Ethiopia
* Black signifies the colour of the Africans who initiated Rastafari
The Rastafarian symbol
The lion is the symbol of Rastafari.
This lion represents Haile Selassie I, who is referred to as the 'Conquering Lion of Judah'. Rastafarians' dreadlocks represent the lion's mane.
Rastafarian beliefs
There is no formal Rastafari creed and there are slight differences in the views of different groups.
The most definitive list is found in the 1977 book The Rastafarians, The Dreadlocks of Jamaica by scholar Leonard Barrett who lists what he regards as the six basic principles of Rastafari. He developed the list by attending public meetings and through anthropological research into the movement.
1. Haile Selassie I is the Living God
2. The Black person is the reincarnation of ancient Israel, who, at the hand of the White person, has been in exile in Jamaica
3. The White person is inferior to the Black person
4. Jamaica is hell; Ethiopia is heaven
5. The Invincible Emperor of Ethiopia is now arranging for expatriated persons of African origin to return to Ethiopia
6. In the near future Blacks shall rule the world
But Leonard Barrett's list is itself about thirty years old and so many of the beliefs above may no longer have the same significance to modern Rastafarians. This is especially true since the spread of the movement to the West which has led to the emergence of White Rastafarians.
Early beliefs
The basic tenets of early Rastafari, according to preacher Leonard Howell, included some very strong statements about racial issues, as might be expected in the religion of an oppressed people living in exile:
1. Hatred of Whites
2. Superiority of Blacks
* Blacks are God's chosen people
* Blacks will soon rule the world
3. Revenge on Whites for their wickedness
* Whites will become the servants of Blacks
4. The negation, persecution and humiliation of the government and legal bodies of Jamaica
5. Repatriation: Haile Selassie will lead Blacks back to Africa
6. Acknowledging Emperor Haile Selassie as God, and the ruler of Black people
Modern Rastafarian beliefs
From the 1930s until the mid 1970s most Rastafarians accepted the traditional Rastafari beliefs.
But in 1973 Joseph Owens published a more modern approach to Rastafari beliefs. In 1991 Michael N. Jagessar revised Owens's ideas, devising his own systematic approach to Rastafari theology and providing an insight into the changes in the group's beliefs.
The key ideas in contemporary Rastafari are:
* The humanity of God and the divinity of man
This refers to the importance of Haile Selassie who is perceived by Rastafarians as a living God. Likewise it emphasises the concept of God revealing himself to his followers through his humanity.
* God is found within every man
Rastafarians believe that God makes himself known through humanity. According to Jagessar "there must be one man in whom he exists most eminently and completely, and that is the supreme man, Rastafari, Selassie I."
* God in history
It is very important to see all historical facts in the context of God's judgement and workings.
* Salvation on earth
Salvation for Rastafarians is an earthly idea, rather than heavenly.
* The supremacy of life
Human nature is very important to Rastafarians and they should preserve and protect it.
* Respect for nature
This idea refers to the importance and respect Rastafarians have for animals and the environment, as mirrored in their food laws.
* The power of speech
Speech is very important to Rastafarians, as it enables the presence and power of God to be felt.
* Evil is corporate
Sin is both personal and corporate. This means organisations such as the International Monetary Fund are responsible for Jamaica's fiscal situation, and that oppression is in part influenced by them.
* Judgement is near
This corresponds to the nearness of judgement for Rastafarians when they will be given greater recognition.
* The priesthood of Rastafarians
Rastafarians are the chosen people of God and are on earth to promote his power and peacefulness.
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