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WHAT IS RAS
TAFARI?
During the 1930’s when Ras
Tafari Makennon was crowned His Imperial Majesty Emperor Hiale
Selassie I of Ethiopia, many followers of Marcus Garvey, in
Jamaica, under the influence of his “Back to Africa” ideology
saw Haile Selassie as a divine emanation. His official titles,
“King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of
Judah, Root of David, Elect of God,” are believed to be the
titles of the returned Messiah in the Book of Revelation. As Bob
Marley sang, “read it in revelation/there/you’ll find your
redemption/give us the teachings of His Majesty/we nuh want nuh
devil philosophy”. Many felt that Selassie was indeed
God incarnate. Accordingly, to many elder Rastafarians, Haile
Selassie is “Christ in His Kingly Character” he is also called
upon by many of the “faith” as “His Majesty,” “Jah, Rastafari”
or “Jah, Jah.”
Rastafarians
follow the Nazarene belief of strict adherence to dietary laws
that forbid the consumption of “flesh” most are vegetarians.
Some will eat certain types of fish, like snapper, but nothing
with scales, like shrimp, crabs or lobsters, these are seen as
scavengers. Rastas place a high value a healthy spiritual self.
Abstinence from material wealth and influence is encouraged. As
the group Morgan Heritage says, “you don’t haffi dread fi
be rasta” so it is, many people who embrace Rastafari,
do not wear locks and the converse is true, many people who wear
locks are simple not Rastas. It is a way of life, a
manifestation of who you are and how you live. “Rastaman
live up/Bingyman no give up” said Bob Marley. Though
many claim that “Rasta is an inborn concept” there are those who
believe that you can “become” a Rasta. They encourage the daily
reading of the bible to build strong spiritual awareness and
regular communing with “brethrens and sistrens” to “reason”
about the teachings. Part of the ritual and rites at these
“reasonings” might be the burning of the chalice.
Marijuana is seen as a
“holy herb” and smoking it, brings them closer to God. But not
all Rasta's smoke marijuana.
Like any other group,
Rasta's are not monolithic. There are different sects, Twelve
Tribes of Israel is probably the most widely known. There is
House of David, of whom the Prophet Capleton is associated.
Bobos who wear their head wrapped in a turban and the Nyabinghi
order, who all abide by a very strict orthodox code. There is
also the Ethiopian World Federation and the Ethiopian Orthodox
Coptic Church of North and South America. Rasta's are hard
working men and women who have a strong sense of African pride.
Celebrate the unique
relationship between Rasta, Reggae, Selassie and Jamaica at the
fourth annual Reggae Culture Salute on Saturday, November
1st 2008 at Brooklyn’s Cultural Performing
Arts Center with the Mighty Diamonds and The Melodians
and others. For further information call 718-421-6927
or visit
www.tsoproductions.com
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