Rastafari: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:44, 11 December 2024

Rastafari

The Rastafari movement is a religion and social movement that originated in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is based on a specific interpretation of the Bible and is centered around the worship of Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, whom Rastafarians believe to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and the Messiah.

Beliefs[edit]

Rastafari beliefs are deeply rooted in the idea of Pan-Africanism and the return to Africa as a homeland. The movement emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature, the rejection of materialism, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.

Haile Selassie I[edit]

Rastafarians regard Haile Selassie I as the living God, "Jah," and the returned Messiah who will lead the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora to freedom. His coronation in 1930 was seen as the fulfillment of a prophecy.

The Bible[edit]

Rastafarians use the Bible as their holy scripture, but they interpret it in a way that emphasizes the African identity and the oppression of the African people. They often refer to the Bible as "The Black Man's Bible."

Livity[edit]

"Livity" is a key concept in Rastafari, referring to a lifestyle that reflects the natural order and the divine presence in all things. It includes a vegetarian diet, known as "Ital" food, which is believed to increase life energy.

Practices[edit]

Rastafarians engage in various practices that reflect their beliefs and values.

Dreadlocks[edit]

The wearing of dreadlocks is a symbol of the Rastafari movement, representing a covenant with God and a rejection of Babylonian culture.

Ganja[edit]

The use of cannabis, or "ganja," is considered a sacrament in Rastafari, used in religious ceremonies to aid in meditation and spiritual growth.

Music[edit]

Reggae music, popularized by artists like Bob Marley, is closely associated with Rastafari. It serves as a vehicle for spreading the movement's message and values.

History[edit]

The Rastafari movement began in the 1930s in Jamaica, influenced by the teachings of Marcus Garvey, who advocated for the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands. The movement gained international recognition in the 1970s, largely due to the global popularity of reggae music.

Cultural Impact[edit]

Rastafari has had a significant impact on global culture, particularly in music, fashion, and language. The movement has inspired numerous artists and musicians and has contributed to the spread of reggae music worldwide.

Also see[edit]

References[edit]

Barrett, Leonard E. (1997). The Rastafarians: Twentieth Anniversary Edition. Beacon Press.
Chevannes, Barry (1994). Rastafari: Roots and Ideology. Syracuse University Press.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Rastafari''' is a religion that originated in Jamaica in the 1930s. It is an Abrahamic faith that adheres to much of the Bible, although interpretations and usage of the Bible can vary widely. Rastafari is not a highly organized religion; it is a movement and an ideology. Many Rastas say that it is not a "religion" at all, but a "Way of Life". Most Rastas do not claim any sect or denomination, and thus encourage one another to find faith and inspiration within themselves, although some do identify strongly with one of the "mansions of Rastafari" — the three most prominent of these being the Nyahbinghi, the Bobo Ashanti and the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
+{{Infobox religious group
+| name = Rastafari
+| image = [[File:Flag of Ethiopia (1897–1974).svg|thumb|right|200px|The flag of Ethiopia, a symbol often associated with the Rastafari movement.]]
+| caption = The Ethiopian flag, a symbol of Rastafari
+| founder = Leonard Howell, Joseph Hibbert, Archibald Dunkley, and others
+| founded = 1930s
+| place = Jamaica
+| scripture = Bible
+| language = Jamaican Patois, English
+| members = Estimated 700,000 to 1 million
+}}
-== Beliefs ==
+The '''Rastafari movement''' is a [[religion]] and social movement that originated in [[Jamaica]] during the 1930s. It is based on a specific interpretation of the [[Bible]] and is centered around the worship of [[Haile Selassie I]], the former Emperor of [[Ethiopia]], whom Rastafarians believe to be the reincarnation of [[Jesus Christ]] and the [[Messiah]].
-The most definitive belief of the Rastafari is the divinity of Haile Selassie I, former emperor of Ethiopia. Rastas regard Haile Selassie I as God because Marcus Garvey's prophecy - "Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be the Redeemer" - was swiftly followed by the ascension of Haile Selassie as Emperor of Ethiopia. Rastas say that Selassie is a direct descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, through their son Menelik I. Their lineage can be traced to the 13th century, and possibly beyond.
+==Beliefs==
+Rastafari beliefs are deeply rooted in the idea of [[Pan-Africanism]] and the return to [[Africa]] as a homeland. The movement emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature, the rejection of materialism, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
-== Practices ==
+===Haile Selassie I===
+[[File:Haile Selassie in full dress (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Haile Selassie I, regarded as the Messiah by Rastafarians.]]
+Rastafarians regard Haile Selassie I as the living God, "Jah," and the returned Messiah who will lead the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora to freedom. His coronation in 1930 was seen as the fulfillment of a prophecy.
-Rastafari practices include ritual use of marijuana, avoidance of alcohol, the wearing of one's hair in dreadlocks, and adherence to a diet that excludes pork, shellfish, and often all meat.
+===The Bible===
+Rastafarians use the [[Bible]] as their holy scripture, but they interpret it in a way that emphasizes the African identity and the oppression of the African people. They often refer to the Bible as "The Black Man's Bible."
-== Impact and Influence ==
+===Livity===
+"Livity" is a key concept in Rastafari, referring to a lifestyle that reflects the natural order and the divine presence in all things. It includes a vegetarian diet, known as "[[Ital]]" food, which is believed to increase life energy.
-The Rastafari movement has spread throughout much of the world, largely through interest generated by reggae music—a notable exponent of which was Bob Marley. By 1997, there were, according to one estimate, around one million Rastafari worldwide. In the 2011 Jamaican census, 29,026 individuals identified themselves as Rastafari. Other sources estimated that in the 2000s they formed "about 5% of the population" of Jamaica, or conjectured that "there are perhaps as many as 100,000 Rastafari in Jamaica".
+==Practices==
+Rastafarians engage in various practices that reflect their beliefs and values.
-[[Category:Religion]]
+===Dreadlocks===
+The wearing of [[dreadlocks]] is a symbol of the Rastafari movement, representing a covenant with God and a rejection of Babylonian culture.
+===Ganja===
+The use of [[cannabis]], or "ganja," is considered a sacrament in Rastafari, used in religious ceremonies to aid in meditation and spiritual growth.
+===Music===
+[[Reggae]] music, popularized by artists like [[Bob Marley]], is closely associated with Rastafari. It serves as a vehicle for spreading the movement's message and values.
+==History==
+The Rastafari movement began in the 1930s in Jamaica, influenced by the teachings of [[Marcus Garvey]], who advocated for the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands. The movement gained international recognition in the 1970s, largely due to the global popularity of reggae music.
+==Cultural Impact==
+Rastafari has had a significant impact on global culture, particularly in music, fashion, and language. The movement has inspired numerous artists and musicians and has contributed to the spread of reggae music worldwide.
+==Also see==
+* [[Marcus Garvey]]
+* [[Haile Selassie I]]
+* [[Reggae]]
+* [[Jamaica]]
+* [[Pan-Africanism]]
+==References==
+* Barrett, Leonard E. (1997). ''The Rastafarians: Twentieth Anniversary Edition''. Beacon Press.
+* Chevannes, Barry (1994). ''Rastafari: Roots and Ideology''. Syracuse University Press.
+{{Rastafari}}
 [[Category:Rastafari]]
-[[Category:Jamaica]]
+[[Category:Religion in Jamaica]]
+[[Category:1930s establishments in Jamaica]]
-{{stub}}