Rastafarianism

Among foreigners, the most recognizes religion in Jamaica is Rastafarianism, which centers around the divinity of the late Haile Selassie, emperor of Ethiopia.

Across the island, you will see many dreadlocked Rastafarians, usually wearing crocheted tams (a type of hat). The rules of Rastafarianism are strict:  vegetarianism, a strict code of peace and, the best known facet of the religion, the smoking of ganja or marijuana.

These Rasta traditions are traced back to the Bible, specifically these verses:

Proverbs 15.17 “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.”

Leviticus 21.5 “They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in their flesh.”

Psalm 104.14 “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man.”

Although they’re a well-known segment of society, the Rastafarian population is a small sector of the Jamaican population. However, well-known Rastas such as the late Bob Marley brought the attention of the world to this religion.

Rasta men are easily identified by their dreadlocks, or locks, matted waist-length strands that either flow down their back or are held beneath a knitted cap or tam. Rastafarian women generally wear locks as well, along with African clothing and headwraps.

The Rastas were once discriminated against in Jamaican society; even today they typically band together in communities often located outside the town itself. They are strong believers in the importance of natural surroundings and often live in the hills.

Rastas are renowned herbalists, using folk medicine and relying on the land’s bounty of plants to heal many ills.

Rastas also often speak in the first person. “We” is substituted with “I and I.” Other useful Rasta words are irie (all’s well), ital (natural, used to describe the diet) and ivine (devine).