Rastafari is a movement of Black people who know Africa as the birthplace of Mankind and the throne of Emperor
Haile Selassie I -- a 20th Century Manifestation of God who has lighted our pathway towards righteousness, and is therefore worthy of reverence.

The Rastafari movement grew out of the darkest depression that the descendants of African slaves in Jamaica have ever lived in -- the stink and crumbling shacks of zinc and cardboard that the tattered remnants of humanity built on the rotting garbage of the dreadful Dungle on Kingston's waterfront. Out of this filth and slime arose a sentiment so pure, so without anger, so full of love, the Philosophy of the Rastafari faith. Freedom of Spirit, Freedom from Slavery, and Freedom of Africa, was its cry.

Rasta, as it is more commonly called, has its roots in the teachings of Jamaican black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who in the 1930s preached a message of black self empowerment, and initiated the "Back to Africa" movement. Which called for all blacks to return to their ancestral home, and more specifically Ethiopia.

Rastafarians live a peaceful life, needing little material possessions and devote much time to contemplating the scriptures. They reject the white man's world, as the new age Babylon of greed and dishonesty. Proud and confident Rastas even though they are humble will stand up for their rights. Rastas let their hair grow natually into dreadlocks, in the image of the lion of Judah. Six out of ten Jamaicans are believed to be Rastafarians or Rastafarian sympathizers. The total following is believed to be over 1000 000 worldwide.

Celebrations

Janurary 6th - Usually when rastas celebrate christmas
July 23rd - Birithday of HIM King Selassie I.
August 17th - Birthday of Marcus Garvey
November 2nd - Anniversary of the crowning of HIM. One of the holiest day of the rastafarian year celebrates Haile Salessie's accession to Ithiopian Throne.

The true rasta eats only I-tal food. This is special food that never touches chemicals or is natural and not in cans. This food is cooked but served as raw as possible w/out salts, preservatives or condiments. Many rastas are therefore vegetarians. Those who eat meat are forbidden to eat pig because they are the scavengers of the earth. Fish is a staple I-tal food, however not crabs, lobster, and strimp for these are scavengers of the sea. The fish they eat must be small, not more than twelve inches long. Drinking preferences rest with anything that is herbal, such as tea. Liquor, milk, coffee, and soft drinks are viewed as unnatural. A point of reference for their choice of eating comes from the book of Genesis according to rastafarians. Jah mentioned everything except eating meat in the bible. There is is also the Commandment "Thou shall not kill" This is found in the book of Exodus Chapter 20. Us feel as if there is no real need to kill as we (men) were given ownership over everything on earth.

The Significance of Marijuana

It is very likely to see Rastafarians smoking "sensemenia" Rastafarian ganja, or better known to non-rastas as marijuana is used for religious purposes for the rastafarians. They find it's use written in the Bible in Psalms 104:14 "He causeth the grass for the cattle and herb for the service of man" The use of this herb is very extensive among the Rastas not only for spiritual purposes as in their Nyabingi Celebration but also for medicinal purposes for colds and such.

Worship

Rastafarians men uncover their dreadlocks, women keep their heads covered during worship. The women also keep their heads covered when in public or when receiving visitors. Form of worship is the Nyabinghi.

Rastafarians normally meet once a week to worship and usually meet in a community hall or someone's house. Rastafarians do not usually have a special building set aside for worship.