Okay, so because this blog is all about Rastafari stuffs, let's begin discussing what this "RAS-TA-FAR-I" really means.
Brief History:
The name came from the word "Ras" which means Prince and Tafari Makonnen, the name of the emperor of ethiopia from 1930 - 1974 the person that the rastafarian people worships as god's reincarnation.. He is also known as Heile Selassie I.Rastafari is a religious movement that arose in in 1930's. Rasta's are most popular for using marijuana or cannabis for spiritual purposes. They reject the western principles of living. A Roman Catholic and a black Jamaican named Marcus Garvey (known as a Rastafarian prophet) spread Rastafari in Jamaica. They also believe that africa is the root of mankind. They also portray that Africa is "Zion" or the land that Jah promised to them. Rasta's way of living is also based in the bible such as christians they just differ in some aspects.
Jah:
Rastafarians worships a god (Heile Selassie I), they also called him Jah or Jah Rastafari. Some Studies said that Jah came from the Hebrew word "yah" or "yahweh" wich also means God, But it is also believed that it came from the biblican name "Jehovah". It can also be found in the term "Hallelujah" which means "praise god" in christians. That is why Jah is often used rastafarian phrases such as "Jah bless" and "Jah Rastafari"
Bible Scriptures:
Rastafarians used some bible verses as their basis and guide in the way they live. Some are
Revelations 5:5 - Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Ezekiel 28:25 -
Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.
Leviticus 21:5. - They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh.
Marijuana, Ganja, Cannabis, Weeds:
Rastafarians uses this kind of herb in their gatherings or rituals. They believed that smoking herb brings you closer to jah. They also believe that It is created for a sacred purpose so it should be legalized for modern government prohibits smoking marijuana for it's side effects.
Genesis 1:11 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."
Genesis 1:29 "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
Genesis 3:18 "... thou shalt eat the herb of the field.
Psalms 104:14 "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man."
Proverbs 15:17 "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith
Dreadlocks
Wearing dreadlocks is not always a sign of rastafarianism. But is is where rastafarian people are popular of. For they grow their hair long and let it form locks naturally by washing it with pure water only.
As it name describes, wearing dreadlocks means having fear to god and it is also said that it is the oldest form of styling hair for saints like John the baptist wears it. Rastas also called it as the crowning glory. But dreadlocks is not must if your a rastafarian.
Diet:
Rastas eat limited variety of meat based on the dietary laws of the old testament. Shellfish and pork are prohibited for they believe that eating meat means touching death. That is why most rastas are vegetarian. Drinking alcohol is also prohibited for they believe that it is the destruction of the man.
Black,Red, Gold and Green:
Many of us were familiar with this combinations of color, with gold also portrayed as yellow.Commonly associated with badges, shirts, tams, caps, posters etc. This colors came from the flag of Ethiopia. Which Garvey used to represent Africa. Red is for the blood of the African Martyrs. Gold is for the wealth for Ethiopia is said to be the mining center of Africa, Green is for the beauty and nature of Africa and black is for the color of thy men.
Lion of Judah:
The lion of Judah is one of the symbols of rastafarianism. It appears on the flag of Ethiopia. The lion symbolizes Jah or god as the king of kings as the lion is said to be the king of animal kingdom.
-writings are based on own readings.
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