Rastafari Information

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   All sensi man, I&I would like share some fact about JAH RASTAFARI
Introduction
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 a prophecy allegedly made by Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of fellow blacks.

"Look to Africa for the crowning of a king to know your redemption is near."  
Marcus Garvey, 1927
Rastafari became internationally visible when Reggae music took off in the 1960s. The faith spread beyond Jamaica and can now be found in Europe, the USA, Africa, Australasia and Canada.  There are now approximately one million world wide adherents of Rastafari as a faith, but probably many more people class themselves as Rastafarians in a social sense rather than in a religious one. 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".  Rastas follow strict dietary laws and abstain from alcohol. They do not cut their hair, and are easily identified by the dreadlock style that they prefer. Rastafarians have attracted some ill-informed criticism for their belief in the spiritual uses of marijuana.
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:

Haile Selassie I is the Living God. 
The Black person is the reincarnation of ancient Israel, who, at the hand of the White person, has been in exile in Jamaica. 
The White person is inferior to the Black person. 
Jamaica is hell; Ethiopia is heaven. 
The Invincible Emperor of Ethiopia is now arranging for expatriated persons of African origin to return to Ethiopia. 
In the near future Blacks shall rule the world. 
But Leonard Barrett's list is itself nearly 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.

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. 
Joseph Owens 'The Rastafarians of Jamaica', 1973 pp. 167-70 and Jagessar 'JPIC and Rastafarians' 1991 pp. 15-17

To modern Rastafari the most important doctrine is belief in the divinity of Haile Selassie I. Although some Rastafarians still regard Haile Selassie as the black messiah, many modern adherents do not see this as central to their faith.  Haile Selassie's death in 1975 was described by his followers as his 'disappearance', since they refused to believe he has passed away. Following his death and the increased acceptance of Jamaican culture in society many Rastafarian beliefs have been modified. The previous belief that white people are evil has diminished and is no longer central to Rastafarian belief systems.
Justifications for the Divinity of Haile Selassie
Rastafarians use Biblical names such as "Lord of Lords", "King of Kings" and "Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah" for Haile Selassie. These terms had been used throughout history to describe Ethiopian Emperors, but with the crowning of Haile Selassie I they were seen as evidence that supported his divine status.  Many Rastafarians trace Haile Selassie's lineage back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. They believe that the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon found in the Book of Kings (1 Kings 10: 1-13) provides further proof of the divinity of Haile Selassie I.

His Imperial Majesty Emporer Haile selassie I, JAH Rastafari

The Rastafarian colours are red, green and gold. Sometimes black is added. These colours are chosen because:

Ethiopian Flag
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 Conquering Lion of Judah 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.  The Lion of Judah - Taken from the heraldic symbol of the biblical Tribe of Judah, Genesis 49: 8-10. The Star of David, or also called the Star of Solomon, is used many times to symbolize the Rastafarian religion. Haile Selassie was descendant from King Solomon and King David, hence the use of the symbol.  The cross - symbolises the cross of Jesus Christ saviour of the world.
Rastafari Customs
Rastafari doesn't have a specific religious building that is set aside for worship. Rastafarians usually meet weekly, either in a believer's home or in a community centre.  The meetings are referred to as Reasoning sessions. They provide a time for chants, prayers and singing, and for communal issues to be discussed. Marijuana may be smoked to produce heightened spiritual states.  The music used at these meetings is known as Nyabingi, and so when meetings are mostly musical they are often referred to as Nyabingi meetings.  Meetings may also include large feasts. 

"Ital" Diet and Dreadlocks

A set of dietary and hygienic laws were formulated to accompany the religion's doctrine. They urged their flocks to shun the ingestion of alcohol, tobacco, all meat (especially pork), as well as shellfish, scaleless fish, snails, predatory and scavenger species of marine life, and many common seasonings like salt. In short, anything that was not "ital," a Rasta term meaning pure, natural or clean, was forbidden. 

They also outlawed was the combing or cutting of hair, citing the holy directive in 
Leviticus 21:5: "They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh." 
Their nappy tresses were allowed to mat and twine themselves into ropy dreadlocks, so called to mock non-believers' aversion to their appearance. (The noun "dread" has also since evolved into a word of praise.) 
Ritual use of Marijuana
Marijuana is regarded as a herb of religious significance. It is used in Rastafari reasoning sessions, which are communal meetings involving meditation.  According to Leonard Barrett, Rastafarians first began using Marijuana in reaction to the treatment of blacks in society. It became a "reactionary device" to enable "freedom from the establishment." (Leonard Barrett, 'The Rastafarians, The Dreadlocks of Jamaica' p. 129)

Marijuana is used by Rastafarians to heighten feelings of community and to produce visions of a religious and calming nature.  Rastafarians are unlikely to refer to the substance as marijuana; they usually describe it as "the wisdom weed" or "the holy herb."  Ganja is considered the "wisdom weed" by Rastafarians, as its use helps one to gain wisdom.  Rastafarians use Ganja as a religious rite and as a means of getting closer to their inner spiritual self, Jah (God) and Creation.  This "wisdom weed" Ganja is seen by Rastafarians as the herb of life that is mentioned in the Bible.  Rastafarians use of ganja is justified by the following: 

'He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the services of man.'
Psalm 104:14

'...thou shalt eat the herb of the field'.                                            
Genesis 3.18

'...eat every herb of the land.'                                                      
 Exodus 10:12

'Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.'
Proverbs 15:17

Marijuana: The Mystical Weed of Wisdom

In fact, the herb "ganja" (marijuana) was regarded as "wisdomweed," and Rasta leaders urged that it be smoked as a religious rite, alleging that it was found growing on the grave of King Solomon.

Religions always reflect the social and geographical environment out of which they emerge, and Jamaican Rastafari is no exception: for example, the use of marijuana as a sacrament and aid to meditation is logical in a country where a particularly potent strain of 'herb' grows freely.
The use of marijuana is a highly ritualised act, and before it is used a prayer is uttered by all:
" Glory be to the father and to the maker of creation. 
As it was in the beginning 
is now and ever shall be 
World without end: 
Jah Rastafari: 
Eternal God Selassie I."

The marijuana is rolled into a cigarette  or placed into a chillum pipe. When smoked it is inhaled deeply, then held, as the devotee enters into a trance-like state ...