The Rastafari Movement The Rastafari Movement or or

RastafarianismRastafarianism

A religion storyA religion storyBy: Gideon Stanwood By: Gideon Stanwood

SpauldingSpaulding

Introduction and Brief Introduction and Brief HistoryHistory The Rastafari movement started in the early The Rastafari movement started in the early

1930’s preached by Marcus Garvey. It started 1930’s preached by Marcus Garvey. It started in Jamaica caused by poor economical and in Jamaica caused by poor economical and social conditions for blacks. It is a religious social conditions for blacks. It is a religious movement that idolizes Haile Selassie former movement that idolizes Haile Selassie former ruler of Ethiopia. The Rasta movement is ruler of Ethiopia. The Rasta movement is mostly part of Jamaica, but can be found mostly part of Jamaica, but can be found worldwide. Rasta’s preach from what is worldwide. Rasta’s preach from what is known as the black, the Holy Piby, for known as the black, the Holy Piby, for equality and justice for all around the world. equality and justice for all around the world. Many Rasta’s are former Christians.Many Rasta’s are former Christians.

Haile SelassieHaile Selassie

• Haile Selassie was Born as Haile Selassie was Born as Tafari Makonnen in Ethiopia in Tafari Makonnen in Ethiopia in 1892. He married the princess 1892. He married the princess of Ethiopia in 1911, and In 1917 of Ethiopia in 1911, and In 1917 he became heir to the throne. In he became heir to the throne. In 1930 he became ruler of 1930 he became ruler of Ethiopia and upon being Ethiopia and upon being crowned ruler he took the name crowned ruler he took the name Haile Selassie. Many say that Haile Selassie. Many say that Haile Selassie made Ethiopia Haile Selassie made Ethiopia what it is by modernizing it to what it is by modernizing it to Europe's standards (from what Europe's standards (from what he saw in his visits to Europe). he saw in his visits to Europe). Haile Selassie preached equality Haile Selassie preached equality and justice in the world. He died and justice in the world. He died August 28, 1975. Haile Selassie August 28, 1975. Haile Selassie is seen as a true god by is seen as a true god by Rastafarians.Rastafarians.

• Haile Selassie is also known as Ras Haile Selassie is also known as Ras Tafari.Tafari.

Other Main FiguresOther Main Figures• In Rastafarianism there In Rastafarianism there

are other figures that are are other figures that are considered a main part considered a main part of the religion:of the religion:

• Bob Marley, a famous Bob Marley, a famous reggae artist appreciated reggae artist appreciated in Rasta culture for in Rasta culture for preaching Rastafari preaching Rastafari practices in his musicpractices in his music

• Marcus Garvey, known as Marcus Garvey, known as the first to preach about the first to preach about the Rasta movement in the Rasta movement in Jamaica, he is said to be Jamaica, he is said to be the founder of the the founder of the Rastafari movement. Rastafari movement.

Rasta Holidays

• January 6, Ethiopian Christmas• February 6, Bob Marley’s Birthday• April 21, Anniversary of Haile Selassie’s

visit to Jamaica• July 23, Haile Selassie’s Birthday• August 17, Marcus Garvey’s Birthday• November 2, Coronation of Haile Selassie

VocabularyVocabulary

Ganja- Rasta word for marijuana.Ganja- Rasta word for marijuana.Rasta- Someone who is part of, or follows, Rasta- Someone who is part of, or follows, the Rastafarian movement.the Rastafarian movement.Reggae- Popular music of Jamaican Reggae- Popular music of Jamaican origin, signature for its noticeable and origin, signature for its noticeable and offbeat rhythms.offbeat rhythms.Jehovah (Jah)- The old testament name Jehovah (Jah)- The old testament name for God, used in Rastafarianism also. Most for God, used in Rastafarianism also. Most Rasta’s call Jehovah, Jah, for short.Rasta’s call Jehovah, Jah, for short.

Worship and PracticeWorship and Practice Rasta’s worship Haile Selassie on grounation days Rasta’s worship Haile Selassie on grounation days

(holidays)(holidays) A reasoning- a simple event where Rasta’s gather, smoke A reasoning- a simple event where Rasta’s gather, smoke

ganja, and then discuss ethical, social, and religious issues. ganja, and then discuss ethical, social, and religious issues. The person honored by lighting the herb, or the ganja, says The person honored by lighting the herb, or the ganja, says a short prayer first. The pipe is passed counterclockwise.a short prayer first. The pipe is passed counterclockwise.

Dreadlocks- The wearing of dreadlocks is very close to the Dreadlocks- The wearing of dreadlocks is very close to the movement, but is not exclusive to its followers. The movement, but is not exclusive to its followers. The hairstyle was mainly adopted to contrast the kinky long hair hairstyle was mainly adopted to contrast the kinky long hair of black men with the straighter hair of whites.of black men with the straighter hair of whites.

Ganja- For most Rasta’s the smoking of Ganja is a spiritual Ganja- For most Rasta’s the smoking of Ganja is a spiritual act, they consider it a sacrament that helps their act, they consider it a sacrament that helps their consciousness and peacefulness, bringing them closer to consciousness and peacefulness, bringing them closer to God. Rasta’s also use segments from the bible to further God. Rasta’s also use segments from the bible to further their idea why Ganja is a sacred act. For example, Genesis their idea why Ganja is a sacred act. For example, Genesis 3:18 “…thou shalt eat the herb of the field.3:18 “…thou shalt eat the herb of the field.

Sacred PlacesSacred Places

Rastafarians believe that their own body is Rastafarians believe that their own body is like a church or a temple, so there is no like a church or a temple, so there is no need to make actual churches or temples need to make actual churches or temples in the world.in the world.

Despite their being no temples or Despite their being no temples or churches a sacred place to be in to a churches a sacred place to be in to a Rasta in Jamaica is to be in Ethiopia Rasta in Jamaica is to be in Ethiopia where Haile Selassie ruled.where Haile Selassie ruled.

The Rasta DreamThe Rasta Dream

• The Rastafarian dream is that Haile Selassie will call the day of judgment, when righteous shall return home to Mount. Zion to live forever in piece, love, and harmony

Books and WritingsBooks and Writings

The Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy- A writing The Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy- A writing from Jamaica written in the early 1920’s by a Rastafarian from Jamaica written in the early 1920’s by a Rastafarian speaker, Fitz Balintine Pettersburg, the parchment’s speaker, Fitz Balintine Pettersburg, the parchment’s significance is it tells of the roots of the first Rastafarian significance is it tells of the roots of the first Rastafarian beliefs.beliefs.

For more info on The Royal Parchment Scroll of Black For more info on The Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy click linkSupremacy click link

The Holy Piby- The Holy Piby in summary is the Rastafarian The Holy Piby- The Holy Piby in summary is the Rastafarian Bible. It was written by Robert Athlyi Rogers in the 1920’s as Bible. It was written by Robert Athlyi Rogers in the 1920’s as part of the religious movement going on. The original is very part of the religious movement going on. The original is very rare to find, and copies are not listed in the library of rare to find, and copies are not listed in the library of congress, which is highly unusual. The book was banned in congress, which is highly unusual. The book was banned in the late 1920’s to Jamaicans and Caribbean Islands. Today the late 1920’s to Jamaicans and Caribbean Islands. Today The Holy Piby is considered a Primary source by The Holy Piby is considered a Primary source by Rastafarians.Rastafarians.

For more info on the Holy Piby click link For more info on the Holy Piby click link The Holy Piby Index.htmThe Holy Piby Index.htm

The Holy Parchment Scroll of Black The Holy Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy & The Holy PibySupremacy & The Holy Piby

AfterlifeAfterlife

Rasta’s do not believe in heaven or hell like other religions, Rasta’s do not believe in heaven or hell like other religions, they believe that Jah will send the signal and help the they believe that Jah will send the signal and help the blacks migrate back to Ethiopia, their homeland. This belief blacks migrate back to Ethiopia, their homeland. This belief goes back to Marcus Garvey’s idea “Back to Africa.” Even goes back to Marcus Garvey’s idea “Back to Africa.” Even though Haile Selassie may have died before the idea could though Haile Selassie may have died before the idea could be reality, it did turn blacks interest to look at Africa as their be reality, it did turn blacks interest to look at Africa as their roots, and most Rasta’s believe Ethiopia is heaven on roots, and most Rasta’s believe Ethiopia is heaven on EarthEarth

Rastafarians are also physical immortalists, which means Rastafarians are also physical immortalists, which means they believe the chosen few will live forever in their current they believe the chosen few will live forever in their current bodies. This idea of immortality to Rastafarians is a very bodies. This idea of immortality to Rastafarians is a very strong and important belief in Rasta culture.strong and important belief in Rasta culture.

EthiopiaEthiopia

• A country in Northeast Africa. Ethiopia has a long history of rulers and exiles. Addis Ababa is the capital and the largest city its population is 32,775,000.

Race and CultureRace and Culture Early Rasta’s believed in Black Supremacy. These Early Rasta’s believed in Black Supremacy. These

strong opinions lasted for a small time mostly strong opinions lasted for a small time mostly because Selassie spoke and was against racism. because Selassie spoke and was against racism. Now most Rasta’s believe that racial negativity Now most Rasta’s believe that racial negativity must be set aside, and world peace and harmony must be set aside, and world peace and harmony should be a common idea and theme.should be a common idea and theme.

One of the major sects of the Rastafari One of the major sects of the Rastafari movement, The Twelve Tribes of Israel, have movement, The Twelve Tribes of Israel, have specifically cleaned themselves of all types of specifically cleaned themselves of all types of racism, and have said the teachings of the Bible racism, and have said the teachings of the Bible can be the route to spiritual cleansing for people can be the route to spiritual cleansing for people of any ethnic or racial background.of any ethnic or racial background.

Language and DialectLanguage and Dialect

Rasta’s believe that their African Rasta’s believe that their African languages were take away from them languages were take away from them and put into captivity as part of the and put into captivity as part of the slave trade, and that English is a forced slave trade, and that English is a forced Puritan language. Their heal for this act Puritan language. Their heal for this act has been the creation of a modified has been the creation of a modified vocabulary and dialect. This reflects the vocabulary and dialect. This reflects the Rastafari desire to take forward Rastafari desire to take forward language and come forth with the language and come forth with the society they call Babylon.society they call Babylon.

IsmsIsms

Most Rastafari’s reject “isms.” This is Most Rastafari’s reject “isms.” This is because they see a wide range of isms and because they see a wide range of isms and schism around the world, and they do not schism around the world, and they do not want to be a part of them. This is why Rasta’s want to be a part of them. This is why Rasta’s reject the word Rastafarianism, they see reject the word Rastafarianism, they see themselves as having passed through isms themselves as having passed through isms and schisms.and schisms.

This ordeal has created conflict between This ordeal has created conflict between Rasta’s and people of the academic Rasta’s and people of the academic community studying the Rastafari community studying the Rastafari movement, because they insist on calling the movement, because they insist on calling the movement Rastafarianism.movement Rastafarianism.

Afrocentrism and Racial PrideAfrocentrism and Racial Pride

Rastafarianism was originally a response to racist Rastafarianism was originally a response to racist negation of black people as it was experienced in negation of black people as it was experienced in Jamaica in the early 1930’s. Marcus Garvey’s Jamaica in the early 1930’s. Marcus Garvey’s encouragement of black people to take pride in encouragement of black people to take pride in themselves and their African origins, inspired Rasta’s themselves and their African origins, inspired Rasta’s to embrace all things that have relation with Africa. to embrace all things that have relation with Africa. Rastafarians believe they were brainwashed while in Rastafarians believe they were brainwashed while in captivity to oppose all things black and African. They captivity to oppose all things black and African. They then refuted these racist images, and turned the then refuted these racist images, and turned the picture into a proud cultural group of people.picture into a proud cultural group of people.

MusicMusic

Rasta music has been around for a long time, Rasta music has been around for a long time, and thanks to a few famous musicians, it has and thanks to a few famous musicians, it has become popular too. The most common and become popular too. The most common and most popular type of Rasta music is Reggae, most popular type of Rasta music is Reggae, Reggae artists such as Bob Marley and Peter Reggae artists such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh raise awareness of Rastafarianism around Tosh raise awareness of Rastafarianism around the world, and for this the artists are honored by the world, and for this the artists are honored by Rasta’s very gratefully.Rasta’s very gratefully.

There are other forms of Rasta music, and There are other forms of Rasta music, and variations on reggae such as Raggamuffin, Ska, variations on reggae such as Raggamuffin, Ska, NyaBinghi, Rastafarian, etc… NyaBinghi, Rastafarian, etc…

Rasta ColorsRasta Colors

The 3 main Rasta colors consist of Red, The 3 main Rasta colors consist of Red, Green, and yellow, they each symbolize Green, and yellow, they each symbolize something in Rastafarianism.something in Rastafarianism.

Red represents the blood and suffering of Red represents the blood and suffering of the people who fought or died for the the people who fought or died for the Rastafari movementRastafari movement

Green represents the beauty and Green represents the beauty and vegetation of Africa and Ethiopiavegetation of Africa and Ethiopia

Yellow (gold) represents the wealth and Yellow (gold) represents the wealth and prosperity Africa and Ethiopia have to offerprosperity Africa and Ethiopia have to offer

Rastafarianism TodayRastafarianism Today

• In the early years of Rastafarianism women In the early years of Rastafarianism women were not a very active part of the movement, were not a very active part of the movement, and menstruating women were excluded and menstruating women were excluded from religious gatherings and meetings. Now from religious gatherings and meetings. Now they are very important in the functioning of they are very important in the functioning of Rastafarianism. The movement is not a very Rastafarianism. The movement is not a very organized religion but “a way of life,” is how a organized religion but “a way of life,” is how a Rasta would explain it. Rasta would explain it.

• Today there are an estimated 1,000,000 Today there are an estimated 1,000,000 followers of the Rastafari movement followers of the Rastafari movement worldwide.worldwide.

Works CitedWorks Cited

““The Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy.” The Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy.” http://www.sacred-texts.comhttp://www.sacred-texts.com Date: 2002 pars. 2 Online Date: 2002 pars. 2 Online Available: Available: http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/rps/http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/rps/ (June 1, 2005) (June 1, 2005)““Rastafari Movement.” Rastafari Movement.” http://en.wikipedia.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org Date: 2005 pars. Date: 2005 pars. 63. Online available: 63. Online available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarianismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarianism (June 1, 2005) (June 1, 2005)““The Rastafarian religion.” The Rastafarian religion.” http://www.meta-religion.comhttp://www.meta-religion.com Date: Date: 2004 pars. 15. Online Available: 2004 pars. 15. Online Available: http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/rastafarian_relihttp://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/rastafarian_religion.htmgion.htm (June 1, 2005) (June 1, 2005)““The Holy Piby.” The Holy Piby.” http://www.houseofnubian.comhttp://www.houseofnubian.com Date: 2005 Date: 2005 pars. 1. Online Available: pars. 1. Online Available: http://www.houseofnubian.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/prhttp://www.houseofnubian.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/product-id/783161.htmloduct-id/783161.html (June 1, 2005) (June 1, 2005)

THE END