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94-517: The residents of Parismina have a unique culture which includes a local dialect, many Caribbean traditions and cuisine and a traditional Rastafarian influence. The community hosts an annual festival that takes place next to the soccer field, in the main communal area of the town. At least three whole guest houses/hotels and a few restaurants and bars are available in the town of Parismina. A number of high end fishing lodges specializing in tarpon and snook are located short boat rides away and provide

188-504: A covenant with him and thus have a special responsibility. Rastafari espouses the view that this, the true identity of black Africans, has been lost and needs to be reclaimed. There is no uniform Rasta view on race . Black supremacy was a theme early in the movement, with the belief in a distinctly black African race that was superior to other racial groups. This has opened the religion to accusations of racism . While some Rastas still hold such beliefs, black supremacy has waned in

282-469: A literalist interpretation of its contents. Rastas regard the Bible as an authentic account of early black African history and of their place as God's favoured people. They believe the Bible to be key to understanding both the past and the present and for predicting the future, while also regarding it as a source book from which they can form and justify their beliefs and practices. Rastas commonly perceive

376-514: A new social movement , and a cultural movement. Many Rastas or Rastafarians—as practitioners are known—nevertheless dislike the labelling of Rastafari as a "movement". In 1989, a British Industrial Tribunal concluded that, for the purposes of the Race Relations Act 1976 , Rastafarians could be considered an ethnic group because they have a long, shared heritage which distinguished them from other groups, their own cultural traditions,

470-648: A "radical, even revolutionary" stance on socio-political issues, particularly regarding race, with a "profoundly traditional" approach on other issues. Rastas typically look critically upon modern capitalism, instead favouring small-scale, pre-industrial and agricultural societies. Some Rastas have promoted activism for socio-political reform, while others believe in awaiting change that will be brought about through divine intervention. In Jamaica, Rastas typically do not vote, dismissing politics as "politricks", and rarely involve themselves in political parties or unions. The Rasta tendency to believe that socio-political change

564-504: A Biblical prophecy. By the 1950s, Rastafari's countercultural stance had brought the movement into conflict with wider Jamaican society, including violent clashes with law enforcement. Early Rastafari often espoused black supremacy as a form of opposition to white supremacy, but this has gradually become less common since the 1970s. In the 1960s and 1970s, it gained increased respectability within Jamaica and greater visibility abroad through

658-792: A Promised Land: "the Lord shall have made his American Israel 'high above all nations which he hath made'," reflecting language from Deuteronomy of the promise. Shawnee / Lenape scholar Steven Newcomb argued in his 2008 book Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery that Christendom 's discovery doctrine was also the same claim of "the right to kill and plunder non-Christians" found in this covenant tradition, whereby "the Lord" in Deuteronomy told his chosen people how they were to "utterly destroy"

752-489: A common language, and a common religion. Rastafari has continuously changed and developed, with significant doctrinal variation existing among practitioners depending on the group to which they belong. It is not a unified movement, and there has never been a single leader followed by all Rastafari. It is thus difficult to make broad generalisations about the movement without obscuring the complexities within it. The scholar of religion Darren J. N. Middleton suggested that it

846-495: A dogma", according to the sociologist of religion Peter B. Clarke . Some Rastas consider themselves Christian, and the religion has been deeply influenced by both Christian and Jewish thought; the scholar Michael Barnett called Rastafari "an Afrocentralized blend of Christianity and Judaism". Like Christianity, Rastafari treats the Bible as a holy book occupying a central place in its belief system, with Rastas often adopting

940-770: A form of personal introspection that allows the smokers to discover their inner divinity. Some Rastas believe that cannabis smoke serves as an incense that counteracts immoral practices in society. Promised Land The Promised Land ( Hebrew : הארץ המובטחת , translit. : ha'aretz hamuvtakhat ; Arabic : أرض الميعاد , translit. : ard al-mi'ad ) is Middle Eastern land in the Levant that Abrahamic religions (which include Judaism , Christianity , Islam , and others) claim God promised and subsequently gave to Abraham (the legendary patriarch in Abrahamic religions) and several more times to his descendants. The concept of

1034-541: A haven from religious conflicts and persecution . For instance, Puritan minister John Cotton 's 1630 sermon God's Promise to His Plantation gave colonizers departing England to Massachusetts repeated references to the Exodus story, and later German immigrants sang: "America ... is a beautiful land that God promised to Abraham." In a sermon celebrating independence in 1783 , Yale president Ezra Stiles implied Americans were chosen and delivered from bondage to

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1128-546: A man, that I am mortal, and that I will be replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make a mistake in assuming or pretending that a human being is emanated from a deity." His grandson Ermias Sahle Selassie has said that there is "no doubt that Haile Selassie did not encourage the Rastafari movement". Critics of Rastafari have used this as evidence that Rasta theological beliefs are incorrect, although some Rastas take Selassie's denials as evidence that he

1222-555: A millennium of peace, justice, and happiness in which the righteous shall live in Africa. In the 1980s, many Rastas believed that the Day of Judgment would happen around the year 2000. A view then common in the Rasta community was that the world's white people would wipe themselves out through nuclear war , with black Africans then ruling the world, something that they argued was prophesied in

1316-476: A network to plan movement events and form strategies. The term "grounding" is used among Rastas to refer to the establishment of relationships between like-minded practitioners. Groundings often take place in a commune or yard, and are presided over by an elder. The elder is charged with keeping discipline and can ban individuals from attending. The number of participants can range from a handful to several hundred. Activities that take place at groundings include

1410-503: A pair of fundamental moral principles known as the "two great commandments": love of God and love of neighbour. Many Rastas believe that to determine whether they should undertake a certain act or not, they should consult the presence of Jah within themselves. Rastafari emphasises the idea of "living naturally". As an extension of this view, Africa is considered the natural abode of black Africans—a continent where they can live according to African culture and tradition, and be themselves on

1504-581: A physical, emotional, and intellectual level. Practitioners believe that Westerners and Babylon have detached themselves from nature through technological development and thus have become debilitated, slothful, and decadent. Some Rastas also believe they should adhere to African laws rather than the laws of Babylon, potentially putting them at odds with the law of the countries in which they currently live. In emphasising this Afrocentric approach, Rastafari expresses overtones of black nationalism . The scholar Maureen Warner-Lewis observed that Rastafari combined

1598-480: A reclamation of their African heritage. Accordingly it decenters Europe and whiteness and emphasises Africa and blackness, seeking to purge from its followers any belief in the inferiority of black people and the superiority of white people . Rastafari is therefore Afrocentric , equating blackness with the African continent, and endorsing Pan-Africanism. Practitioners of Rastafari identify themselves with

1692-515: A religion, meeting many of the proposed definitions for what constitutes a religion, and is legally recognised as such in various countries. Some scholars of religion have labelled it an Abrahamic religion , while other scholars have also classified it as a new religious movement , a sect , a cult , and a revitalisation movement . Having arisen in Jamaica, it has been described as an Afro-Jamaican religion, and more broadly an Afro-Caribbean religion. Although Rastafari focuses on Africa as

1786-415: A religion, instead referring to it as a "way of life", a " philosophy ", or a " spirituality ". Emphasising its political stance, particularly in support of African nationalism and pan-Africanism , some academics have characterised Rastafari as a political movement, a "politico-religious" movement, or a protest movement. It has alternatively been labelled a social movement , or more specifically as

1880-621: A source of identity, it is a product of creolisation processes in the Americas, described by the Hispanic studies scholars Margarite Fernández Olmos and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert as "a Creole religion, rooted in African, European, and Indian practices and beliefs". The scholar Ennis B. Edmonds also suggested that Rastafari was "emerging" as a world religion , not because of the number of its adherents, but because of its global spread. Many Rastas nevertheless reject descriptions of Rastafari as

1974-597: A spiritual force. A third response within the Rastafari community was that Selassie's death was inconsequential as he had only been a "personification" of Jah rather than Jah himself. During his life, Selassie described himself as a devout Christian. In a 1967 interview, Selassie was asked about the Rasta belief that he was the Second Coming of Jesus, to which he responded: "I have heard of this idea. I also met certain Rastafarians. I told them clearly that I am

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2068-654: A state of mind. Rastas believe that Africa, as the Promised Land , will allow them to escape the domination and degradation they experience in Babylon. During the first three decades of the Rastafari movement, it placed strong emphasis on the need for the African diaspora to be repatriated to Africa. To this end, various Rastas lobbied the Jamaican government and United Nations to oversee this resettlement process. Other Rastas organised their own transportation to

2162-448: A symbol of their positive affirmation of Africa as a source of spiritual and cultural heritage. While he was emperor, many Jamaican Rastas professed the belief that Haile Selassie would never die. The 1974 overthrow of Haile Selassie by the military Derg and his subsequent death in 1975 resulted in a crisis of faith for many practitioners. Some left the movement altogether. Others remained, and developed new strategies for dealing with

2256-569: A tea, as a spice in cooking, and as an ingredient in medicine. Not all Rastas use cannabis; many abstainers explain that they have already achieved a higher level of consciousness and thus do not require it. In Rastafari, cannabis is considered a sacrament . Rastas argue that the use of ganja is promoted in the Bible, specifically in Genesis , Psalms , and Revelation. They regard it as having healing properties, eulogise it for inducing feelings of "peace and love", and claim that it cultivates

2350-427: A viable alternative economy to poaching in the village. Prior to the formation of ASTOP, 98% of the green turtles were killed for their meat and 98% of all three species of turtles' nests were poached on Parismina beach. Since the project started, poaching has decreased to 38%. In addition to saving 10,000 neonates annually, ASTOP economically supports approximately one third of the village. Rastafarian This

2444-423: A wide area, including from different countries. They establish and maintain a sense of solidarity among the Rasta community and cultivate a feeling of collective belonging. Unlike in many other religions, rites of passage play no role in Rastafari; on death, various Rastas have been given Christian funerals by their relatives, as there are no established Rasta funeral rites. The principal ritual of Rastafari

2538-496: Is a communal soccer field and volleyball court, where many of the kids hang out every day after school. Four species of sea turtles nest on the beaches at Parismina. Several of these are hovering on the brink of extinction, particularly the leatherback sea turtle . A large number of leatherbacks and green sea turtles nest in the black sand dunes of the beaches near Parismina; hawksbill turtles are occasionally found and loggerheads have been reported, but are rarely seen. While

2632-493: Is an accepted version of this page Rastafari is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion . There is no central authority in control of the movement and much diversity exists among practitioners, who are known as Rastafari, Rastafarians, or Rastas. Rastafari beliefs are based on an interpretation of

2726-427: Is expected of them whenever in public. According to traditional Rasta discourse, this dress code is necessary to prevent the sexual objectification of women by men in Babylon. Rasta men do not usually have such a dress code. Some Rasta women have challenged gender norms by wearing their hair uncovered in public and donning trousers. Although men and women took part alongside each other in early Rasta rituals, from

2820-716: Is inevitable opens the religion up to the criticism from the political left that it discourages attempts to alter the status quo. Other Rastas do engage in political activism; the Ghanaian Rasta singer-songwriter Rocky Dawuni for instance was involved in campaigns promoting democratic elections, while in Grenada , many Rastas joined the People's Revolutionary Government formed in 1979. Rasta discourse has traditionally presented women as morally weak, susceptible to deception by evil , and impure while menstruating , citing

2914-480: Is no need for a priest to act as mediator between the worshipper and Jah. It nevertheless has "elders", an honorific title bestowed upon those with a good reputation among the community. Although respected figures, they do not necessarily have administrative functions or responsibilities. When they do oversee ritual meetings, they are often responsible for helping to interpret current events in terms of Biblical scripture. Elders often communicate with each other through

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3008-506: Is oppressed within Western society, or "Babylon". Many Rastas call for this diaspora's resettlement in Africa, a continent they consider the Promised Land , or "Zion". Rastas refer to their practices as " livity ", which includes adhering to Ital dietary requirements, wearing their hair in dreadlocks , and following patriarchal gender roles. Communal meetings are known as "groundations", and are typified by music, chanting, discussions, and

3102-441: Is that those who are righteous may undergo reincarnation . Rastas have traditionally avoided death and funerals, meaning that many were given Christian funerals by their relatives. This attitude to death is less common among more recent or moderate strands of Rastafari, with many considering death a natural part of life. Unlike other African diaspora religions , Rastas typically avoid ancestor veneration . Most Rastas share

3196-420: Is the norm, although many Rastas are legally married. Rasta men refer to their female partners as "queens", , "empresses", or "lionesses", while the males in these relationships are known as "kingmen". Rastafari places great importance on family life and the raising of children, with reproduction being encouraged. Traditionally, the religion emphasised the place of men in child-rearing, associating this with

3290-458: Is the smoking of ganja, also known as marijuana or cannabis. Among the names that Rastas give to the plant are callie , Iley , "the herb", "the holy herb", "the grass", and "the weed". Cannabis is usually smoked during groundings, although some practitioners also smoke it informally in other contexts. Some Rastas smoke cannabis very frequently, something other practitioners regard as excessive. Many practitioners alternatively consume cannabis in

3384-416: Is unknown why the early Rastas adopted this form of Haile Selassie's name as the basis of the term for their religion. As well as being the religion's name, "Rastafari" is also used for the religion's practitioners themselves. Many commentators—including some academic sources and some practitioners —refer to the movement as "Rastafarianism". However, the term is disparaged by many Rastafari, who believe that

3478-587: The Kebra Nagast , a 14th-century Ethiopian text, as a source through which to interpret the Bible. Rastas are monotheists , worshipping a singular God whom they call Jah . The term "Jah" is a shortened version of " Jehovah ", the name of God in English translations of the Old Testament . Rastas believe in the immanence of Jah, who is inherent within each individual. This belief is reflected in

3572-553: The Bible . Central to the religion is a monotheistic belief in a single God, referred to as Jah , who partially resides within each individual . Rastas accord key importance to Haile Selassie , Emperor of Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974, who is regarded variously as the Second Coming of Jesus , Jah incarnate , or a human prophet. Rastafari is Afrocentric and focuses attention on the African diaspora , which it believes

3666-490: The Book of Daniel . Rasta views on death vary. Traditionally, many Rastas believed in the possibility of eternal life. In the 1980s, scholar of religion Leonard E. Barrett observed Jamaican Rastas who believed that practitioners who died had not been faithful to Jah. He suggested that this attitude stemmed from the large numbers of young people in the movement, who had thus seen very few Rastas die. Another common Rasta view

3760-744: The Book of Leviticus and the writings of Paul the Apostle . By contrast, Rastafari often espouses the belief that black men in the African diaspora have been emasculated by Babylon and that their manhood must therefore be restored. As a result, Rastafari often affirms patriarchal principles, including the idea that women should submit to male leadership. External observers—including scholars such as Cashmore and Edmonds —have claimed that Rastafari accords women an inferior position to men. Cashmore suggests Rastafari women accept this subordinate position and regard it as their duty to obey their men. The academic Maureen Rowe suggested that women were willing to join

3854-587: The Epistle to the Galatians , Paul the Apostle draws attention to the formulation of the promise, avoiding the term "seeds" in the plural (meaning many people), choosing instead "seed," meaning one person, who, he understands to be Jesus (and those united with him). For example, in Galatians 3:16 he notes: In Galatians 3:28 –29 Paul goes further, noting that the expansion of the promise from singular to

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3948-706: The smoking of cannabis , the latter regarded as a sacrament with beneficial properties. Rastafari originated among impoverished and socially disenfranchised Afro-Jamaican communities in 1930s Jamaica. Its Afrocentric ideology was largely a reaction against Jamaica's then-dominant British colonial culture . It was influenced by both Ethiopianism and the Back-to-Africa movement promoted by black nationalist figures such as Marcus Garvey . The religion developed after several Protestant Christian clergymen, most notably Leonard Howell , proclaimed that Haile Selassie's crowning as Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930 fulfilled

4042-505: The "book within" which allows them to commune with God. Because of what they regard as the corruption of the Bible, Rastas also turn to other sources that they believe shed light on African history, including Leonard Howell 's 1935 work The Promised Key , Robert Athlyi Rogers ' 1924 book Holy Piby , and Fitz Balintine Pettersburg 's 1920s work, the Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy . Many Rastas also treat

4136-603: The "many nations before thee" when "He" brought them into the land "He" had discovered and promised to "His" "Chosen People" to "possess", and that this "right" was woven into US law through the 1823 Johnson v. McIntosh Supreme Court ruling. Mormonism teaches that the United States is the Biblical promised land, the U.S. Constitution divinely inspired, and Mormons God's chosen people. 1st century Roman–Jewish historian Flavius Josephus postulated that Ishmael

4230-456: The African continent. Critics of the movement have argued that the migration of the entire African diaspora to Africa is implausible, particularly as no African country would welcome this. By the movement's fourth decade, the desire for physical repatriation to Africa had declined among Rastas, a change influenced by observation of the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia . Rather, many Rastas saw

4324-506: The African diaspora. Rastas believe Biblical scripture explains the Atlantic slave trade, and that the enslavement, exile, and exploitation of black Africans was punishment for failing to live up to their status as Jah's chosen people. Many Rastas, adopting a Pan-Africanist ethos, have criticised the division of Africa into nation-states, regarding this as a Babylonian development, and are often hostile to capitalist resource extraction from

4418-501: The Bible . Cashmore reported that Rastas typically saw the growing acceptance of birth control and homosexuality in the 1970s and 1980s as evidence of the degeneration of Babylon and proof of its approaching demise. LGBTQ+ Rastas may conceal their sexual orientation because of these attitudes. Rastas refer to their cultural and religious practices as "livity". Rastafari does not place emphasis on hierarchical structures. It has no professional priesthood, with Rastas believing that there

4512-470: The Bible, where it refers to an idealised Jerusalem . Rastas use "Zion" either for Ethiopia specifically or for Africa more broadly. Many Rastas use the term "Ethiopia" as a synonym for Africa, following its usage in English translations of the Bible. Rastas in Ghana, for instance, describe themselves as already living within "Ethiopia". Other Rastas apply the term "Zion" to Jamaica or they use it to describe

4606-529: The Jewish national movement which established Israel . Mainstream Jewish tradition regards the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as applying to anyone a member of the Jewish people , including proselytes and in turn their descendants and is signified through the brit milah (rite of circumcision) . In the New Testament , the descent and promise is reinterpreted along religious lines. In

4700-644: The Land" ( Gevulot Ha-aretz ): These allegedly divine promises were given prior to the birth of Abraham's sons. Abraham's family tree includes both the Ishmaelite tribes (the claimed ancestry of Arabs and of the Islamic prophet Muhammad ) through Abraham's first son Ishmael and the Israelite tribes (the claimed ancestry of Jews and Samaritans ) through Abraham's second son Isaac . God later confirms

4794-572: The Promised Land originates from a religious narrative written in the Hebrew religious text the Torah . God is claimed to have spoken the following promises to Abraham in several verses of Genesis (the first book of the Torah ), which a modern English Bible translates to: Later in what is called the covenant of the pieces , a verse is said to describe what are known as "borders of

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4888-656: The Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. Under the name Palestine , we comprehend the small country formerly inhabited by the Israelites, and which is today part of Acre and Damascus pachalics. It stretched between 31 and 33° N. latitude and between 32 and 35° degrees E. longitude, an area of about 1300 French : lieues carrées . Some zealous writers, to give

4982-586: The ancient Israelites —God's chosen people in the Old Testament—and believe that black Africans broadly or Rastas more specifically are either the descendants or the reincarnations of this ancient people. This is similar to beliefs in Judaism , although many Rastas believe that contemporary Jews ' status as the descendants of the ancient Israelites is a false claim . Rastas typically believe that black Africans are God's chosen people, meaning that they made

5076-464: The aphorism, often cited by Rastas, that "God is man and man is God", and Rastas speak of "knowing" Jah, rather than simply "believing" in him. In seeking to narrow the distance between humanity and divinity, Rastafari embraces mysticism . This idea of connecting to a singular divine force within differs from the forms of spirit possession found in other African diaspora religions, such as Kumina and Convince , where external spirits are invited into

5170-624: The black African diaspora are exiles living in " Babylon ", a term which it applies to Western society . For Rastas, European colonialism and global capitalism are regarded as manifestations of Babylon, while police and soldiers are viewed as its agents. The term "Babylon" is adopted because of its Biblical associations. In the Old Testament, Babylon is the Mesopotamian city where the Israelites were held captive , exiled from their homeland, between 597 and 586 BCE; Rastas compare

5264-428: The body. Jesus is an important figure in Rastafari. However, practitioners reject the traditional Christian view of Jesus, and particularly the depiction of him as a white European . They believe Jesus was a black African, and that the white Jesus was a false god. Many Rastas regard Christianity as the creation of the white man; they treat it with suspicion out of the view that the oppressors (white Europeans) and

5358-401: The continent. Rastas seek to delegitimise and destroy Babylon, something often conveyed in the Rasta aphorism "Chant down Babylon". Rastas often expect the white-dominated society to dismiss their beliefs as false, and when this happens they see it as confirmation of the correctness of their faith. Rastas view Zion as an ideal to which they aspire. As with "Babylon", this term comes from

5452-513: The correctness of their beliefs. Rastafari meetings are opened and closed with prayers. These involve supplication of Jah, the supplication for the hungry, sick, and infants, and calls for the destruction of the Rastas' enemies, and then close with statements of adoration. Princes shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hand unto God. Oh thou God of Ethiopia, thou God of divine majesty, thy spirit come within our hearts to dwell in

5546-547: The exile of the Israelites in Mesopotamia to the exile of the African diaspora outside Africa. Rastas perceive the exile of the black African diaspora in Babylon as an experience of great suffering, with the term "suffering" having a significant place in Rasta discourse. Rastas view Babylon as being responsible for both the Atlantic slave trade , which removed enslaved Africans from their continent, and ongoing poverty in

5640-406: The fallacies in any arguments presented. Those assembled inform each other about the revelations that they have received through meditation and dream. Each contributor is supposed to push the boundaries of understanding until the entire group has gained greater insight into the topic under discussion. In meeting together with like-minded individuals, reasoning helps Rastas to reassure one another of

5734-780: The final book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation , as the most important part, because they see its contents as having particular significance for the world's present situation. Contrary to scholarly understandings of how the Bible was compiled, Rastas commonly believe it was originally written on stone in the Ethiopian language of Amharic . They also believe that the Bible's true meaning has been warped, both through mistranslation into other languages and by deliberate manipulation by those seeking to deny black Africans their history. They also regard it as cryptographic, meaning that it has many hidden meanings. They believe that its true teachings can be revealed through intuition and meditation on

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5828-431: The idea of returning to Africa in a metaphorical sense, entailing the restoration of their pride and self-confidence as people of black African descent. The term "liberation before repatriation" began to be used within the movement. Some Rastas seek to transform Western society so that they may more comfortably live within it rather than seeking to move to Africa. There are nevertheless many Rastas who continue to emphasise

5922-456: The idea that Selassie was the Second Coming, arguing that this event has yet to occur. From this perspective, Selassie is perceived as a messenger or emissary of God rather than a manifestation of God himself. Rastas holding to this view sometimes regard the deification of Haile Selassie as naïve or ignorant, in some cases thinking it as dangerous to worship a human being as God. There are various Rastas who went from believing that Haile Selassie

6016-562: The imagery of the "Promised Land" as heaven or paradise and as an escape from slavery , which could often only be reached by death. The imagery and term also appear elsewhere in popular culture , in sermons, and in speeches such as Martin Luther King Jr. 's 1968 " I've Been to the Mountaintop ", in which he said: I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen

6110-502: The land of the Hebrews some political importance, have exaggerated the extent of Palestine; but we have an authority for us that one can not reject. St. Jerome, who had long traveled in this country, said in his letter to Dardanus (ep. 129) that the northern boundary to that of the southern, was a distance of 160 Roman miles, which is about 55 French : lieues . He paid homage to the truth despite his fears, as he said himself, of availing

6204-507: The late 1940s and 1950s the Rasta community increasingly encouraged gender segregation for ceremonies. This was based on the belief that women's menstruation made them impure and that their presence at the ceremonies would distract male participants. As it existed in Jamaica, Rastafari did not promote monogamy. Though it is not especially common, Rasta men are permitted to engage in polygamy , while women are expected to reserve their sexual activity for one male partner. Common-law marriage

6298-645: The most prominent of which are the Nyahbinghi , Bobo Ashanti , and the Twelve Tribes of Israel , each offering a different interpretation of Rastafari belief. There are an estimated 700,000 to one million Rastafari across the world. The largest population is in Jamaica, although small communities can be found in most of the world's major population centres. Most Rastafari are of black African descent, and some groups accept only black members, but non-black groups have also emerged. Rastafari has been described as

6392-419: The movement since at least the 1970s, and non-black Rastas are now widely accepted. Some Rastas citing a 1963 speech by Haile Selassie in support of racial acceptance. Some sects maintains that white Europeans can never be legitimate Rastas but others believe an "African" identity is not inherently linked to black skin but whether an individual displays an African "attitude" or "spirit". Rastafari teaches that

6486-565: The name of a mythical African queen. Nyabinghi Issemblies are often held on dates associated with Ethiopia and Haile Selassie. These include Ethiopian Christmas (7 January), the day on which Haile Selassie visited Jamaica (21 April), Selassie's birthday (23 July), Ethiopian New Year (11 September), and Selassie's coronation day (2 November). Some Rastas also organise Nyabinghi Issemblies to mark Jamaica's Emancipation Day (1 August) and Marcus Garvey 's birthday (17 August). Nyabinghi Issemblies typically take place in rural areas, being situated in

6580-411: The need for physical resettlement of the African diaspora in Africa. Rastafari is a millenarian movement, espousing the idea that the present age will come to an apocalyptic end. Many practitioners believe that on this Day of Judgment , Babylon will be overthrown, with Rastas being the chosen few who survive the upheaval. With Babylon destroyed, Rastas believe that humanity will enter a "new age",

6674-461: The news. Some Rastas believed that Selassie did not really die and that claims to the contrary were Western misinformation. To bolster their argument, they pointed to the fact that no corpse had been produced; in reality, Haile Selassie's body had been buried beneath his palace, remaining undiscovered there until 1992. Another perspective within Rastafari acknowledged that Haile Selassie's body had perished, but claimed that his inner essence survived as

6768-620: The nineteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation. By viewing Haile Selassie as Jesus, these Rastas also regard him as the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, the manifestation of God in human form, and "the living God". Some perceive him as part of a Trinity , alongside God as Creator and the Holy Spirit , the latter referred to as "the Breath within the temple". Rastas who view Haile Selassie as Jesus argue that both were descendants from

6862-530: The open air or in temporary structures—known as "temples" or "tabernacles"—specifically constructed for the purpose. Any elder seeking to sponsor a Nyabinghi Issembly must have approval from other elders and requires the adequate resources to organise such an event. The assembly usually lasts between three and seven days. During the daytime, attendees engage in food preparation, ganja smoking, and reasoning, while at night they focus on drumming and dancing around bonfires. Nyabinghi Issemblies often attract Rastas from

6956-716: The oppressed (black Africans) cannot share the same God. Some Rastas take the view that the God worshipped by most white Christians is actually the Devil , and a recurring claim among Rastas is that the Pope is Satan or the Antichrist . Rastas therefore often view Christian preachers as deceivers and regard Christianity as being guilty of furthering the oppression of the African diaspora , frequently referring to it as having perpetrated "mental enslavement". From its origins, Rastafari

7050-453: The parts of righteousness. That the hungry be fed, the sick nourished, the aged protected, and the infant cared for. Teach us love and loyalty as it is in Zion. — Opening passage of a common Rasta prayer The largest groundings were known as "groundations" or "grounations" in the 1950s, although they were subsequently re-termed "Nyabinghi Issemblies". The term " Nyabinghi " is adopted from

7144-514: The playing of drums, chanting, the singing of hymns, and the recitation of poetry. Cannabis , known as ganja, is often smoked. Most groundings contain only men, although some Rasta women have established their own all-female grounding circles. One of the central activities at groundings is " reasoning ". This is a discussion among assembled Rastas about the religion's principles and their relevance to current events. These discussions are supposed to be non-combative, although attendees can point out

7238-402: The plural is not based on genetic/physical association, but a spiritual/religious one: In Romans 4:13 it is written: German Lutheran Old Testament commentator Johann Friedrich Karl Keil states that the covenant is through Isaac, but notes that Ishmael 's descendants have held much of that land through time. Many European colonists saw America as the "Promised Land", representing

7332-404: The popularity of Rastafari-inspired reggae musicians, most notably Bob Marley . Enthusiasm for Rastafari declined in the 1980s, following the deaths of Haile Selassie and Marley, but the movement survived and has a presence in many parts of the world. The Rastafari movement is decentralised and organised on a largely sectarian basis. There are several denominations, or " Mansions of Rastafari ",

7426-697: The prior occupants and marks the borders in terms of the Red Sea , the "Sea of the Philistines ", and the "River", which a modern English Bible translates to: The Israelites lived in a smaller area of former Canaanite land and land east of the Jordan River after the legendary prophet Moses led the Israelite Exodus out of Egypt ( Numbers 34:1–12 ). The Torah's Book of Deuteronomy presents this occupation as their God's fulfillment of

7520-485: The promise ( Deuteronomy 1:8 ). Moses anticipated that their God might subsequently give the Israelites land reflecting the boundaries of the original promise – if they were obedient to the covenant ( Deuteronomy 19:8–9 ). Commentators have noted several problems with this promise and related ones: The concept of the Promised Land is a central national myth of the Jewish People and a key tenet of Zionism ,

7614-489: The promise to Abraham's son Isaac ( Genesis 26:3 ), and then to Isaac's son Jacob ( Genesis 28:13 ) in terms of "the land on which you are lying". Jacob is later renamed " Israel " ( Genesis 32:28 ) and his descendants are called the Children of Israel or the Twelve Tribes of Israel . The Torah's subsequent Book of Exodus describes it as "land flowing with milk and honey" ( Exodus 3:17 ) and gives verses on how to treat

7708-580: The recovery of African manhood. Women would often work, sometimes while the man raised the children at home. Rastafari regards procreation as the purpose of sex, and thus oral and anal sex are usually forbidden. Both contraception and abortion are usually censured, and a common claim in Rasta discourse is that these were inventions of Babylon to decrease the black African birth-rate. Rastas typically express hostile attitudes to homosexuality, regarding homosexuals as evil and unnatural; this attitude derives from references to same-sex sexual activity in

7802-549: The religion despite its restrictions because they valued the life of structure and discipline it provided. Attitudes to women within Rastafari have changed since the 1970s, however, with a growing " womanist " movement, and increasing numbers of women in leadership positions at local and international levels. Rasta women usually wear clothing that covers their head and hides their body contours. Trousers are usually avoided, with long skirts preferred. Women are expected to cover their head while praying, and in some Rasta groups this

7896-548: The royal line of the Biblical king David , while Rastas also emphasise the fact that the Makonnen dynasty, of which Haile Selassie was a member, claimed descent from the Biblical figures Solomon and the Queen of Sheba . Other Rastas see Selassie as embodying Jesus' teachings and essence but reject the idea that he was the literal reincarnation of Jesus. Members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel denomination, for instance, reject

7990-437: The status of a catechism or creed . Rastas place great emphasis on the idea that personal experience and intuitive understanding should be used to determine the truth or validity of a particular belief or practice. No Rasta, therefore, has the authority to declare which beliefs and practices are orthodox and which are heterodox . The conviction that Rastafari has no dogma "is so strong that it has itself become something of

8084-408: The trip to Siquirres occasionally to carry out administrative and financial duties. The town has 4 stores, known as pulperias , or small grocery or general stores. They have basic necessities and a small selection of groceries. There are also multiple sodas, or small cafes. The city has an elementary school and a new combined middle and high school that was recently funded by the government. There

8178-620: The turtles used to be hunted as a food source by inhabitants, a recent increase in poaching has been seriously threatening the population. In April 2001, local residents along with the Costa Rican Coast Guard , initiated Asociación Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina , or Save the Turtles of Parismina (ASTOP). A community-based, non profit, conservation organization dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their eggs from poaching while initiating sustainable development and providing

8272-449: The use of -ism implies religious doctrine and institutional organisation, things they wish to avoid. Rastas refer to the totality of their religion's ideas and beliefs as "Rastalogy". Edmonds described Rastafari as having "a fairly cohesive worldview"; however, the scholar Ernest Cashmore thought that its beliefs were "fluid and open to interpretation". Within the movement, attempts to summarise Rastafari belief have never been accorded

8366-442: The villagers with their main source of income. Residents benefit from a health care center which operates two days a week, a police station and both a primary and secondary education schools. Parismina enjoys a public water system with safe drinking water and sanitation. Most houses have electricity installed and most streets have lights. No banks or post office are to be found in the village. As such, residents and tourists alike make

8460-474: Was appropriate to speak of "a plethora of Rasta spiritualities " rather than a single phenomenon. The term "Rastafari" derives from "Ras Tafari Makonnen", the pre-regnal title of Haile Selassie , the former Ethiopian emperor who occupies a central role in Rasta belief. The term " Ras " means a duke or prince in the Ethiopian Semitic languages ; "Tafari Makonnen" was Selassie's personal name. It

8554-509: Was both God incarnate and the Second Coming of Jesus to seeing him as something distinct. On being crowned, Haile Selassie was given the title of " King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah". Rastas use this title for Haile Selassie alongside others, such as "Almighty God", "Judge and Avenger", "King Alpha and Queen Omega", "Returned Messiah", "Elect of God", and "Elect of Himself". Rastas also view Haile Selassie as

8648-511: Was indeed the incarnation of God, based on their reading of the Gospel of Luke . According to Clarke, Rastafari is "concerned above all else with black consciousness, with rediscovering the identity, personal and racial, of black people". The movement began among Afro-Jamaicans who wanted to reject the British colonial culture that dominated Jamaica and replace it with a new identity based on

8742-517: Was intrinsically linked with Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He remains the central figure in Rastafari ideology, and although all Rastas hold him in esteem, precise interpretations of his identity differ. Understandings of how Haile Selassie relates to Jesus vary among Rastas. Many, although not all, believe that the Ethiopian monarch was the Second Coming of Jesus, legitimising this by reference to their interpretation of

8836-524: Was the founder of the Arab race. And according to Muslim tradition, Islam's founding prophet Muhammad was a Hanif (true monotheistic believer of the religion of Abraham). His tribe, the Quraysh , traces its ancestry to Ishmael . Some Palestinians claim partial descent from the Israelites and Maccabees , as well as from other peoples who have lived in the region. African-American spirituals invoke

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