CHAPTER FIVE
RASTAFARIANISM
- WHAT IS RASTAFARI?
- THE CONCEPT OF RASTAFARIANISM
- WHAT IS THE MEANING OF RASTAFARI?
- IS RASTAFARIANISM A RELIGION?
- GENERAL BELIEFS, NORMS AND PERCEPTIONS OF RASTAFARIANS
- THE ROOTS OF RASTAFARIANISM
RASTAFARI
/ræst9¹ fe9¹ raI/or/rasta¹ faa:¹ rai:/
Jaa:ah (Jah)! Rastafari! King of Kings, Lord of Lords, conquering loins of the tribes of Judah. Or Rastafari, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, conquering loins of the (twelve) tribes of Judah, rule over the empires of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Haile Selassie I, ever living and ever faithful Jah; JAH RAS TAFARI!
The above recitation or expressions are the greetings of our brethren, Rastafarians. We know lots of things and issues which are associated with Rastafari. It is high time we let the world know the realities and the truth about Rastafarianism. Rastafarianism is not something weird or evil practice that we may relate it to so many awkward criticisms.
Many people all over the world see the said practice as ‘weed’ (‘wee’) smoking groups; political-religious body based in Jamaica that believes that Africans must be free from all forms of oppressions and colonialisms, and that all White people are Babylons and evil, whereas the Black man is godlike. Some also perceive it as a black religious and cultural movement that has been formed to championing the socio-cultural and political liberation of Africa. Of course, there are so many misconceptions about Rastafarianism.
The concept of Rastafarianism is a complex phenomenon that contains real facts and misconceptions. There are positive and negative misconceptions about this practice. The positive misconceptions are those fallacious ideas people use to raise and promote the image of Rastafarianism. But the negative misconceptions are those fallacies the public employs to inhibit the progress of Rastafarianism. The practice’s critics have every right to express their views. And since we know that opinions are like noses everybody has one, then under no circumstances should we have the same perceptions about Rastafarianism.
In fact, for the sake of goodness and objectivity, we must show maturity with authenticity to buttress our stance on any issue. This is because what is good for the goose is also good the gander.
The Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary defines Rastafarian as “a member of a Jamaican religion whose followers worship the former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie as God.” The World Book Encyclopaedia (vol.16, 1992), however sees Rastafarians as “members of Ras Tafari, a religious and political movement that began in the Caribbean Sea Island of Jamaica in 1920s.”
Many brains perceive Rastafari/Rastafarianism in different ways. The perceptions that Jesus Christ was a Blackman or Rastafarian; God the creator is a Blackman; Haile Selassie was the re-incarnation of Jesus Christ/ God; Rasta can smoke (cannabis/marijuana) and drink wine; and/or Rasta man is obliged not to eat meat, are all very sensitive and controversial
As we read earlier, it will be our interest if we substantiate facts and ideas with the Bible and other reliable history books. Whatever definition people give, the perception they have, and the kind of research people have conducted, we should always ask ourselves that: do the definitions given or their opinions really reflect on the reality of the situation from our own personal deductive thinking?
Critical and logical thinking is a necessary tool for everybody to ascertain the truth of any issue and concept. We should not accept people’s definitions and ideas just because they are educated or they are prominent religious or political figures. But the ultimate concern is: are they saying the truth! Or you ask yourself: do I also see the issue from the same logical reasoning? Or is mine in contrast with theirs?
For a fair understanding of Rastafari/Rastafarianism we must bear in mind certain factors and principles. Rastafarianism is all about:
- Africans/black people.
- HIM Haile Selassie as a black king/prophet of God or God incarnate.
- The unification of Africans and repatriation of all black people to Africa (Pan-Africanism).
- Mental, economic, political, socio-cultural and religious emancipation of Africans.
- Blackman is the real image of God and must be respected, and enjoyed the fundamental human rights without regard to colour, language, location, or race.
- Dreadlocks (locks of hairs) as a symbol of righteousness.
- Freedom fighters (Black heroes) who liberated African continent.
- Chanting against the oppressors and imperialists especially the white people/Babylons (all forms of colonialism and neo-colonialism).