1. Julie, Hillary, Alex, Lisa
Rastafarianism
Julie, Hillary, Alex, Lisa

2. What is it?
Movement of black people who know Africa as the birthplace of all mankind
Rastafari wants all people to know that we are Africans and to develop pride and integrity in ourselves
About 1 million followers worldwide

3. History Began in Ethiopia in 1930
Based on the teaching of Jamaican black nationalist Marcus Garvey
Considered the 2nd John the Baptist
Taught the Africans are the true Israelites and have been exiled to Jamaica and other parts of the world as divine punishment
Founder of “back-to-Africa” movement
Named for Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia
Name means “might of trinity”
Followers believed Selassie to be the “personification of God”
Died August 27, 1975
His divinity did not die with him
Ras Tafari lives on through individual Rastafarians

4. History Leonard Howell– One of the early leaders Six principles
Doctrines helped shape theology, arrest helped shape organizational structure
Arrested in 1933 for preaching a revolutionary
doctrine
Harassment of Howell by the police might be why Rastafarians have decided to remain leaderless
Six principles
Hatred for the White race
The complete superiority of the Black race
Revenge on Whites for their wickedness
The negation, persecution, and humiliation of the government and legal bodies of Jamaica
Preparation to go back to Africa
Acknowledging Emperor Haile Selassie as the supreme being and only ruler of the Black people

5. Lifestyle Live peaceful lives Do not need material possessions
Devote time to contemplating the scriptures

6. Beliefs Avoid materialistic white culture God is referred to as “Jah”
They call it “Babylon”
God is referred to as “Jah”
Believe in Avatars
Heile Selassie was the last incarnation of God after Moses, the Hebrew Prophet Elija, and Jesus
Avoid meat, coffee, salt, tobacco, alcohol and seafood
Use the 10 Commandments as a Code of Conduct

7. Modern Rastafarian Beliefs
In 1973 Joseph Owens published a more modern approach to Rastafari beliefs.
In 1991 Michael N. Jagessar revised Owens's ideas
The key ideas in contemporary Rastafari are:
The humanity of God and the divinity of man
God is found within every man
1 and 1
It is very important to see all historical facts in the context of God's judgment and workings.
Salvation for Rastafarians is an earthly idea, rather than heavenly.

8. Modern Beliefs Cont. The supremacy of life
Human nature is very important to Rastafarians and they should preserve and protect it.
Respect for nature
This idea refers to the importance and respect Rastafarians have for animals and the environment, as mirrored in their food laws.
The power of speech
Evil is corporate
Judgment is near
The priesthood of Rastafarians
Rastafarians are the chosen people of God and are on earth to promote his power and peacefulness.

9. The Church There is no clergy
Believes are autonomous
There is no church building, followers worship in small groups in homes
They gather around a chalice containing ganga

10. Traditions and Symbols
Dreadlocks
The biblical Nazarene vow prohibits shaving and combing hair
The locks symbolize the roots of man and his link with spirituality
Star of David
The Conquering Lion and the Lamb

11. Traditions and Symbols Cont.
Rasta Flag
Red is for the blood of those killed for the cause of the black community, or just blood
Green is for grass and represents Jamaica’s vegetation and hope for the eradication of oppression
Gold is for wealth

12. Traditions and Symbols Continued
Ganga
Aka hemp, marijuana
Used as a holy sacrament
Legend says that this herb was found growing on King Soloman’s grave
“Thou shalt eat the herb of the field” (Genesis 3:18)
“eat every herb of the land” (Exodus 10:12)
They smoke ganga to meditate and for its curative properties

13. Texts
The Rastafarianism’s main text is known as the Holy Piby or the “Black Man’s Bible”
Version of the Christian Bible that has been altered to remove all directions believed to have been made by white leaders during its translation to English.
Another text is the Ethiopian epic the Kebra Negast

14. Holidays November 2nd- the coronation of Selassie
January 6th- ceremonial birthday of Selassie
April 21st- Selassie’s visit to Jamaica
July 23rd- Selassie’s personal birthday
August 1st- emancipation from slavery
August 17th- Marcus Garvey’s birthday

15. Sects
There are three main sects which all agree on basic principles of the divine status of Selassie and the importance of black images of divinity
Nyahbinghi Order
Named for Queen Nyahbinghi of Uganda & is the oldest of the orders
Bobo Shanti
Founded by Prince Emanuel Charles Edwards
“Bobo” means black and “Shanti” refers to the ashanti tribe in Ghana
Twelve Tribes of Israel
Most liberal sect and members are free to worship in a church of their own choosing.
Member of one of the 12 tribes determined by birth month.

16. Bob Marley A prophet of Rastafarianism Reggae artist
Influenced by Peter Tosh who was his teacher/mentor

17. Peter Tosh Taught Bob Marley everything he knew
He was a saint in the sense that he had a purpose
He liberated Jamaicans mentally and physically

18. Rumors about Rastafarianism
One rumor is that the religion is simply an excuse to smoke marijuana.
This is very far from the reality of the religion.
They view Ganja as a sacrament allowing a direct experience of God.
Another rumor is that Rasta is racist and anti-white,
This is unfortunately true in some cases.
Most have rejected the notion that the white man is evil, and instead disagree with materialism associated with whites.

19. Sources
About.com. Alternative Religions. 29 April nism.htm
BBC. Religion and Ethics. 29 April < fs/beliefs_2.shtml>
Ras Charles and French Dred. An Introduction to Rastafari. 20 April arism.html
WebUtopia.Org. Culture of Rastafarianism. 20 April rastafarims
CocunutChange.com. Rastafarism. 20 April phd?id=160&secti on_id=