Adieu, the final farewell, an exploration of death!
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Quick Links:
| Definition | Red, green, black |
| Haile Selassie | Jah |
| Origins | Book of Revelation |
| No central authority | Apocalyptic |
| Practices | Afterlife |
| Hair, diet, music | Funerals |
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There are 0.6m Rastafarians, representing only 0.01% of world population. It has adopted a religious stance but is often considered as a counter-culture rather than a religious movement.
Rastafarian as a word that derives from Ras Täfäri Mäkonnän, which was the pre-regnal title of Haile Selassie. Ras meaning duke and Täfäri Mäkonnän being his actual name. On his crowning he was also given the title, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He was deposed in 1974 and died in 1975. That’s why the symbol of Rastafari became the lion.
The term Rastafarianism is dismissed by its followers, because they feel the -ism’ implies a doctrine and an institution
This African-centred religion developed out of Jamaica in the 1930s, when Haile Selassie became the Emperor of Ethiopia. Many hailed him as the Second Coming of Christ, others respect him as a prophet. Some attribute it as much developed as a reaction to British colonialism of the time. It grew among the impoverished African diaspora of Jamaica. They see Africa as Zion, the West as an oppressive Babylon that has disenfranchised them.
Rastas believe that personal experience and intuitive understanding should determine the truth of a particular belief or practice. There is no central authority so there has emerged much diversity of thought. No individual Rasta has the right to suggest beliefs and practices are orthodox.
They worship by music, chanting, discussion and the smoking of cannabis. It is a patriarchal society, which has a different practice for women. They do not believe in abortion or contraception.
Followers do not cut their hair and twist it in into dreadlocks, to represent a lion’s mane. They pursue a natural diet. The reggae musical movement, Bob Marley in particular, provided a boost for Rastafarian ideas, spreading it globally. Ceremonies focus on drumming and meditation.
Rastafarians use the colours red, green, gold and black. Red is to signify the blood shed by Africans, Green is Jamaica’s vegetation, Gold is Ethiopia’s wealth and Black is their own skin colour.
Rastafari beliefs are based upon the Bible, and it is heavily influenced by Judeo-Christian philosophy. It is described as an Afrocentric form of Christianity and Judaism. They believe in a single god called Jah, a shortened form of Jahweh. They believe that black people are the chosen people of God.
They believe the Bible has been deliberately changed and distorted by translations. They believe it is cryptographic and hides its meanings. They believe the Book of Revelation to be the most significant part of the Bible, as they believe it is relevant to the world as it is today.
Rastas therefore believe there will be an apocalyptic end to the world. They believe that the Day of Judgement will overthrow Babylon, and Rasta will become involved in a new age.
Rastas do not believe that there is an afterlife to which individuals go after their body dies. Another Rasta view is that those who have been righteous will reincarnate, and that their identity is sustained through their many incarnations. They however do not believe in ancestor veneration.
For these reasons they do not tend to attend funerals and there is no custom for funerals. But Jamaica does practice strong Christian funeral customs.
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Rasta: Forward to Secular… – Famous Cemeteries - Back to Zoroastrians
Back to Next tier of religions – Religions – Death
Back to Adieu Index - Back to Bob Denton home page
