Rastafari

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.

Beliefs

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.

Practices

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.

Impact and Influence

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".

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