MAJOR BELIEF

Rastafarians also known as rastas, have a very clear belief in living a 100% natural life off of the land.  They do not believe in scientific medicine and are entirely against going to doctors or hospitals.  

The rastafari flag

Natural gum tree

Jamaican Dandelion

They use plants such as gum trees, sour sap trees, dandy lion (different from American dandy lion), and the more popular marijuana, also known by them as the sacred herb.  Collectively they refer to these plants as their “herbs of life”.  

These herbs may be used in many ways to heal sickness and injury such as

·      

• Rubbing herbs on skin
•   Chewing herb leaves

•    Smoking specific herbs
• Boiling dandelion seeds and drinking the liquid (believed to cure gonorrhea) 

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EVERYBODY IS EQUAL 

Rastas have a general belief that we are all brothers and sisters, and have a strong standard of not discriminating people because of skin color.  

DREAD LOCKS

“This is my identity”

-Bob Marley (one of the more famous reggae musicians and Rastafarian activists)-

Dread locks are obtained through not combing cutting or chemically washing the hair.  They are another example of the rastas fervent belief in an all-natural lifestyle.  Combing and styling the hair to look “acceptable” to others is considered vain and is widely frowned upon in the Rastafarian society.



Ras Tafari Makkonena

HISTORY

Rastafarianism is a relatively

 new culture.  The true history of rastafarianism begins with the colonization of Africa.  Rastas believe that suppression of blacks is coming to an end and that they will all soon return to ethiopia, where it is believed colonization of africa began.  The movement holds its roots in the 1930s in 



Ras Tafari Makkonena

Jamaica when Marcus Garvey, a political leader told a prophecy, saying "Look to Africa, where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be your redeemer".  Haile Selassie I , an Ethiopian prince soon to be crowned king was believed to be that redeemer.   He had 

strong beliefs in a universal family 



of all mankind, no matter what skin color.  Hailes original name was Ras Tafari Makkonena.    

Marijuana

Rastas live a calm, non-aggressive, stress free life.  The common misconception of a Rastafarian is that he or she abuses the drug marijuana in pure vanity, this is not the case.  Rastas use marijuana as a stress reliever, they “meditate” calmly and holistically.  As previously stated, marijuana is thought of and used as medicine.  Keeping the body 100% healthy is an essential part of life.  

Reggae music and its affect on society

Reggae music is a direct derivative of the jamaican genres rock steady and ska, and a foreign derivative of the american genre rhythm and blues.  Reggae music expresses a lot if rastfarian values such as inner peace, and piece with others.  In the 1970s Bob Marley was one of the first to make reggae music an internationally respected genre.  This was the first time rastafari was really preached internationally through music.

The above example is a reggae song by the name of "In 2 deep" by Damien Marley, son of Bob Marley.  Take close notice to the green, yellow, and red flag being waved in the back round.  This is the rastafarian flag (posted at the top of the page).  In the interlude of this song Damien speaks of how some people are focused on being rich rather than keeping their bodies and spirits in a healthy state.  These words are a prime example of a rastas main beliefs and values.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61mkMSZtZcA&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Language

The original language of the rastafarian culture is jamaican

patois (pa/twa).  This language has its root in english and is often foolishlky called an english dialect,broken english, or jamaican.  None of these titles are accurate, jamaican patois is its own language.  This language was created during slave times to communicate with eachother without slave drivers knowing what was being said.  

The entire song above is spoken in jamaican patois.  This song is entitled "Bring It"  by Elephant Man.



2012 Rastafarian news

Snoop lion
The widely known American rapper "Snoop Dogg" recently has announced his focus on being a rastafarian and has moved to jamaica to become closer to the movement.  He now preferres to be called "Snoop Lion"and has started making Reggae music rather than Hip-Hop.  The newly found reggae artists explains to people that he is tired of talking about sex money and drugs and wants to life a cleaner, and kinder lifestyle.      


   

Parasite named after bob marley

A newly found parasitic organism was recently discovered hand was named G. marley after bob marley.  The man who named the organism (Paul C. sikkel)   said he named the organism after marley because of his great respect for marleys music.