Rastafari

=Rastafari= =Origins= Started in Jamaican slums in 1930's particularly when King Haile Sellasie was crowned King of Ethiopia. First leader was Marcus Garvey who taught humbleness and oneness with Jah (god) -thought of as a second John the Babtist Leonard Howell arose as a prominent leader soon after Garvey, but most of his teachings are discarded by rastas because they teach hate for the white race and black supremacy, not humbleness. In 1955 Haile Sellasie offered 500 acres of his personal land to Rastafari leaders so Rastas could return to Africa.

=Texts= Holy Piby, known as "the black man's Bible" --Composed by Robert Athlyi Rogers of Anguilla from 1913 to 1917 and published in 1924 --Christian Bible that has had all deliberate distortions made by white men during its translation to English

=**Main Beliefs**= -Not a religion, "messianic religio-political movement" -Judeo-Christian god called Jah -Old Testament beliefs, focusing on Revelations -Believe Jah manifested himself on earth as Jesus (who was black), and Emperor Haile Sellasie. -referred to as H.I.M (His Imperial Majesty) -Crowned King of Ethiopia in 1930 -Honor all Old Testament Prophets -Do NOT believe in afterlife, but instead view Africa as heaven on earth. -Despise Babylonian culture because it represents white supremacy. -contrast greed of Babylon to humbleness of rastafari =Practices= -Two important rituals: -**Reasoning-** Informal gathering of Rastas to smoke ganja (pot) and have discussion. Ritual begins when one person lights a chalice (pipe) and recites a short prayer while all other participants bow their heads. The chalice is passed in a clockwise circle until all Rastas have smoked and they then begin discussion. Reasoning ends when all participants have felt they have discussed enough. -**Nyabinghi-** Dance Festival that is celebrated on important Rasta holidays or other special occasions. These celebrations can last for several days. Rastas come from all over Jamaica and sleep in tents on the host Rasta's land. Formal dancing takes place in a tabernacle in the morning and in the night they practice Rest and Reason.

=Interesting Facts= They have 3 main sects, somewhat like Christianity's many subdivisions. Named after Haile Sellasie's real name, Ras Tafari
 * Nyabinghi Order**
 * Bobo Shanti**
 * 12 Tribes of Israel**

Believe in wearing dreadlocks as spiritual because of ---the Bible's commandment not to cut one;s hair (Leviticus 21:5) ---appearance similarities to a lion's mane, which represents strength ---natural simplicity associated with Africa and Rasta humbleness. Reject the use of **alcohol** due to food laws --rejects anything not natural and often eaten as raw as possible, also follow Old Testament food ---Do not consume coffee or milk ---Colors are Red, Gold, and Green have spiritual importance =**Famous Rastas**= =**Bob Marley**= =**Peter Tosh**=
 * Ital**
 * --**food laws
 * Red-** Blood of all living things
 * Gold-** Treasures of the world that people cherish
 * Green-** Earth that people walk on and Rasta's special connection to earth
 * Black-Africa**