RASTAFARIANSIM The Rastafari movement is an African-based spiritual ideology that arose in the 1930s in Jamaica. It is sometimes described as a religion but is considered by many adherents to be a Way of Life.[1][2] Its adherents worship Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia (ruled 1930–1974), some as Jesus in his Second Advent, or as God the Father. Members of the Rastafari way of life are known as Rastas, or The Rastafari. The way of life is sometimes referred to as Rastafarianism, but this term is considered derogatory and offensive by most Rastafari, who, being highly critical of isms (which they see as a typical part of Babylon culture), dislike being labelled as an ism themselves.[3] The name Rastafari is taken from Ras Tafari, the title (Ras) and first name (Tafari Makonnen) of Haile Selassie I before the coronation. In Amharic, Ras, literally head, is an Ethiopian title equivalent to prince or chief, while the personal given name Täfäri (teferi) means one who is respected or feared. Jah is a Biblical name of God, from a shortened form of Jahweh or Jehovah found in Psalms 68:4 in the King James Version of the Bible. Most adherents see Haile Selassie I as Jah or Jah Rastafari, who is an incarnation of God the Father, therefore the second advent of Christ Anointed one or for some the second coming of Jesus Christ onto the earth, as well as Gods chosen king on earth. Many elements of Rastafari reflect its origins in Jamaica and Ethiopia, two countries with predominantly Christian culture. Ethiopian Christianity traces its roots to the Church of Alexandria, founded by St Mark, and its 5th-century continuation in the Coptic Church of Alexandria.[4][5] Rastafari holds many Jewish and Christian beliefs and accepts the existence of a single triune deity called Jah, who has sent his son to Earth in the form of Jesus (Yeshua) and made himself manifest as the person of Haile Selassie I. Rastafari accept much of the Bible, although they believe that its message and interpretation has been corrupted.[2] The Rastafari way of life encompasses the spiritual use of cannabis[6][7] and the rejection of the degenerate society of materialism, oppression, and sensual pleasures, called Babylon.[8][9] It proclaims Zion, in reference to Ethiopia, as the original birthplace of humankind, and from the beginning of the way of life calls for repatriation to Zion, the Promised Land and Heaven on Earth. Literally, moving to Ethiopia physically, but mentally and emotionally repatriating before the physical[10][11] Rastafari also embrace various Afrocentric and Pan-African social and political aspirations.[6][12] Many Rastafari do not claim any sect or denomination, and thus encourage one another to find faith and inspiration within themselves, although some do identify strongly with one of the Mansions of Rastafari—the three most prominent of these being the Nyahbinghi, the Bobo Ashanti and the Twelve Tribes of Israel.[13] By the late twentieth century, awareness of the Rastafari movement had spread throughout much of the world, largely through interest generated by reggae music, especially the major international success of Jamaican singer/songwriter Bob Marley. By 1997 there were, according to one estimate, around one million Rastafari faithful worldwide.[14] In the 2001 Jamaican census, 24,020 individuals (less than 1 percent of the population) identified themselves as Rastafari.[15] Other sources estimated that in the 2000s they formed about 5 percent of the population of Jamaica,[16] or conjectured that there are perhaps as many as 100,000 Rastafarians in Jamaica.[17] Contents [hide] 1 World-views and doctrines 1.1 Jah 1.2 The Trinity 1.3 Haile Selassie I 1.4 Iyesus Christos 1.5 Zion vs. Babylon 1.5.1 Paradise 1.6 Afrocentrism 1.7 Ceremonies 1.7.1 Reasoning 1.7.2 Groundation 1.8 Places of worship 1.9 Sects and subdivisions 1.9.1 Nyahbinghi Order 1.9.2 Bobo Ashanti 1.9.3 Twelve Tribes of Israel 1.9.4 The Howellites and The Ethiopian Salvation Society 1.10 Lion 1.11 Rastafari and other Abrahamic faiths 1.12 Spiritual use of cannabis 2 Politics 2.1 Equality 3 Culture 3.1 Language 3.2 Diet 3.3 Dreadlocks 3.4 Symbols 3.4.1 Red, Gold and Green 3.5 Music 3.5.1 Reggae 3.6 Film 4 History 4.1 Ethiopian world view 4.1.1 Marcus Garvey 4.2 Other early written foundations 4.3 Emergence 4.4 Leonard Percival Howell 4.4.1 The Promised Key 4.5 Visit of Selassie I to Jamaica 4.6 Walter Rodney 5 Rastafari around the world 5.1 Botswana 5.2 Democratic Republic of Congo 5.3 Côte dIvoire (Ivory Coast) 5.4 Japan 5.5 Malawi 5.6 South Africa 5.7 United Kingdom 5.8 United States 6 See also 7 References 8 External links World-views and doctrines[edit] Jah[edit] “ ... Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. ” — Psalm 68:31 Rastafari are monotheists, worshiping a singular God whom they call Jah. Jah is the term in the King James Bible, Psalms 68:4. Rastas view Jah in the form of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Rastas say that Jah in the form of the Holy Spirit (incarnate) lives within the human. For this reason, they often refer to themselves as I and I. I and I is used instead of We to emphasize the equality between all people, in the belief that the Holy Spirit within all people makes them essentially one and the same. The Trinity[edit] Rastafari doctrines concerning the Trinity include stressing the significance of the name Haile Selassie, meaning power of the Trinity, might of the Trinity, powerful trinity in Geez or also Haile Selassie I (qedamawi Haile Selassie) meaning the (first power of the Trinity) (the name given to Ras Tafari upon his baptism and later assumed as part of his regnal name at his November 2, 1930 coronation by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, then known as just the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church. Haile Selassie I[edit] HaileSelassie.jpg This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2012) Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, considered by Rastas to be Christ. Haile Selassie I (1892–1975) was the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. Rastafari claim that he will lead the righteous into creating a perfect world called Zion – the ultimate paradise for Rastafari. The future capital city of Zion is sometimes put forward as the New Jerusalem (Lalibela, Ethiopia) and the very Habitation of the Godhead (Trinity) creator, Ras Tafari. Prophetic verses of the Hebrew Bible (such as Zephaniah 3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, the daughter of My dispersed ones, shall bring my offering) have been interpreted as subtly hinting that the messianic king will be in Ethiopia and the people will come from all over world beyond its rivers. Rastas may say that Haile Selassie Is coming was prophesied from Genesis to the Book of Revelation. Genesis, Chapter 1: God made man in His own image. Psalm 2: Yet I set my Holy king On My Holy hill of Zion. Psalm 87:4–6 is interpreted as predicting the coronation of Haile Selassie I. During his coronation, Haile Selassie I was given 38 titles and anointments taken from the Bible: King of Kings, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Author of Mankind, the Power of Authority, etc. He also received acclaim from various Christian and Muslim leaders and clergy for the work he performed towards establishing world peace and the brotherhood of mankind; this being one of the primary reasons his followers hold him as a God incarnate. Rastas also refer to Haile Selassie I as His Imperial Majesty (or the acronym HIM) and Jah Rastafari. According to tradition, Haile Selassie I was the 225th in an unbroken line of Ethiopian monarchs of the Solomonic Dynasty. This dynasty is said to have been founded in the 10th century BC by Menelik I. Menelik I was son of the Biblical King Solomon and Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, who had visited Solomon in Israel. 1 Kings 10:13 claims And King Solomon gave unto the Queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants. On the basis of the Ethiopian national epic, the Kebra Negast, Rastas interpret this verse as meaning she conceived his child, and from this, conclude that African people are among the true children of Israel, or Jews. Beta Israel black Jews have lived in Ethiopia for centuries, disconnected from the rest of Judaism; their existence has given some impetus to Rastafari, as Rastas believe it validates their assertion that Ethiopia is Zion.[citation needed]. The death of Haile Selassie I is a topic of some debate amongst Rastafari.[6] Some Rastas consider it a partial fulfillment of prophecy of the Temporary Messianic Kingdom found in the apocalyptic 2 Esdras 7:28. Others believe that Haile Selassies 1975 reported death was a hoax. It has also been claimed that he entered a monastery and is now known by many as Abba Keddus (Amharic for Holy Father) and will return to liberate his followers and vanquish all evil, restoring his creation. One Rastafari reaction to Haile Selassies supposed death was contained in Bob Marleys song Jah Live, which declares emphatically that God cannot die. Many Rastafari and claim to have met Haile Selassie after his reported death and know him also by his claimed new name Abba Keddus or Abba Keddus Keddus Keddus[18] For Rastafari, Haile Selassie I remains their God and King.[19] They see Haile Selassie I as being worthy of worship for having stood with great dignity in front of the worlds press and the representatives of many of the worlds powerful nations, especially during his appeal to the League of Nations in 1936 when he was still the only independent black monarch in Africa.[19] From the beginning, the Rastas claimed that their personal loyalty lay with Africas only black monarch, Haile Selassie I, and that they themselves were free citizens of Ethiopia, loyal to its Emperor, and devoted to its flag representing the Solomonic Dynasty prior to the Communist coup. Iyesus Christos[edit] Acceptance of the Jesus-incarnate status of Qedamawi Haile Selassie is Rastafari doctrine, as is the notion of the corruption of his teachings by secular, Western society, figuratively referred to as Babylon. For this reason, they believe, it was prophesied in the Book of Revelation—And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.[20]—that Jesus would return with a new name that would be inscribed on the foreheads of 144,000 of his most devoted servants. Rastas hold that they represent this fulfillment based on their experience in the light of Haile Selassie Is return and coronation as the King of Kings on 2 November 1930, whom they see as the second coming of Jesus or the coming of the holy spirit, and therefore Jah, onto the Earth. Thus the great messiah king whom the Jews are still waiting for has indeed now returned to earth, according to the Rastas. Rastas feel that the way Western Society (or Babylon) has commonly depicted the Godhead for centuries as a white man is a colonialist and racist act. Zion vs. Babylon[edit] Rastas assert that Zion (i.e., Africa, especially Ethiopia) is a land that Jah promised to them. To achieve this, they reject modern western society, calling it Babylon, which they see as entirely corrupt due to materialism and greed.[6][12][21] Babylon is considered to have been in rebellion against Earths Rightful Ruler (Jah) ever since the days of the Biblical king Nimrod. Mount Zion in Jamaica Rastas claim that they are the real Children of Israel. The Rastafari seek to validate a link between Ethiopia and Israel, pointing to the title Lion of Judah, and their goal is to repatriate to Mount Zion, that is, Africa. (Rasta reggae is peppered with references to Zion; among the best-known examples are the Bob Marley songs Zion Train and Iron Lion Zion). Paradise[edit] Many Rastafari are physical immortalists who maintain that the chosen few will continue to live forever in their current bodies. This is commonly called Life Everliving. Everliving in Iyaric replaces the term everlasting to avoid the negative wordsound of last implying an end. Rastas say their life will never have an end, but will be everliving, with Jah as king and Amharic the official language. Rastas strongly reject the idea that heaven is in the sky, or is a place where dead people go[22] and instead see heaven as being a place on Earth, specifically Ethiopia.[23] Afrocentrism[edit] Afrocentrism is another central facet of Rastafari culture. They teach that Africa, in particular Ethiopia, is where Zion, or paradise, shall be created. As such, Rastafari orients itself around African culture. Rastafari holds that evil society, or Babylon, has been white-dominated since the rise of Rome, and has committed such acts of aggression against the African people as the Atlantic slave trade. Rastafari developed among poor and oppressed Jamaicans of African descent who experienced a society which was largely contrary and apathetic to their problems. Rastafari incorporates sociopolitical views and teachings of Jamaican publicist, organizer, and black nationalist Marcus Garvey (also often regarded as a prophet) who was a keen proponent of the back to Africa movement, advocating that all people of the black race should return to their ancestral homeland of Africa, and worship the Creator through the spectacles of Ethiopia.[24] In an October 1963 speech before the United Nations.[25] (which provided the lyrics for the Carlton Barrett and Bob Marley song War), Haile Selassie made the following statement: Last May, in Addis Ababa, I convened a meeting of Heads of African States and Governments. In three days, the thirty-two nations represented at that Conference demonstrated to the world that when the will and the determination exist, nations and peoples of diverse backgrounds can and will work together. In unity, to the achievement of common goals and the assurance of that equality and brotherhood which we desire.On the question of racial discrimination, the Addis Ababa Conference taught, to those who will learn, this further lesson: That until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; That until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation; That until the colour of a mans skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes; That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; That until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained; And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique and in South Africa in subhuman bondage have been toppled and destroyed; Until bigotry and prejudice and malicious and inhuman self-interest have been replaced by understanding and tolerance and good-will; Until all Africans stand and speak as free beings, equal in the eyes of all men, as they are in the eyes of Heaven; Until that day, the African continent will not know peace. We Africans will fight, if necessary, and we know that we shall win, as we are confident in the victory of good over evil. He concluded this speech with the words, We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community. Rastafari learn and know Amharic, both because this was the language of Haile Selassie I, and in order to further their identity as Ethiopian. There are reggae songs written in Amharic. Ceremonies[edit] There are two types of Rasta religious ceremonies: Reasoning and Groundation. Reasoning[edit] A reasoning is a simple event where the Rastas gather, smoke cannabis (ganja), and discuss. The person honored by being allowed to light the herb says a short sentence beforehand, and the ganja is passed in a clockwise fashion except in times of war when it is passed counterclockwise. It is used to reason with Jah. Groundation[edit] A groundation (or grounation) or binghi is a holy day;[26] the name binghi is derived from Nyabinghi (literally Nya meaning black and Binghi meaning victory), believed to be an ancient, and now extinct, order of militant blacks in eastern Africa that vowed to end oppression. Binghis are marked by much dancing, singing, feasting, and the smoking of ganja, and can last for several days. In public gatherings, Rastafari often say the following standard prayer, with several variants, comparable to the Lords Prayer: Princes and princesses shall come forth out of Egypt, Ethiopia now stretch forth her hands before Jah. O Thou God of Ethiopia, Thou God of Thy Divine Majesty, Thy Spirit come into our hearts, to dwell in the paths of righteousness. Lead and help I and I to forgive, that I and I may be forgiven. Teach I and I Love and loyalty on earth as it is in Zion, Endow us with Thy wisemind, knowledge and Overstanding to do thy will, thy blessings to us, that the hungry might be fed, the sick nourished, the aged protected, the naked clothed and the infants cared for. Deliver I and I from the hands of our enemy, that I and I may prove fruitful in these Last Days, when our enemy have passed and decayed in the depths of the sea, in the depths of the earth, or in the belly of a beast. O give us a place in Thy Kingdom forever and ever, so we hail our majesty Haile Selassie I, Jehovah God, Rastafari, Almighty God, Rastafari, great and powerful God Jah, Rastafari. Who sitteth and reigneth in the heart of man and woman, hear us and bless us and sanctify us, and cause Thy loving Face to shine upon us thy children, that we may be saved, Selah. When lighting a chalice, the following, shorter invocation is often used: Glory be to the Father and to the Maker of Creation, as it were in the Beginning, is now an shall be forever, world without end, SELAH. Some important dates when groundations may take place are: January 7 – Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas March 25 – The birthday of Empress Menen April 21 – The anniversary of Haile Selassies visit to Jamaica. Also known as Grounation Day. May 25 – African Liberation Day June 16 - The birthday of Leonard P. Howell (founder) July 23 – The birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie August 17 – The birthday of Marcus Garvey September 11 – Ethiopian New Year November 2 – The coronation of Haile Selassie Places of worship[edit] Haile Selassie I Generally, Rastas assert that their own bodies are the true church or temple of God, and so see no need to make temples or churches out of physical buildings. However, some Rastafarians have created temples, as some call spiritual meeting centers in international communities with large Rastafarian populations. Tabernacles are a place of worship for Rastafarians, Nyahbinghi tents are a place of worship for the Nyahbinghi sect of Rastafari. Sects and subdivisions[edit] Main article: Mansions of Rastafari There are three main Mansions (sects or orders) of Rastafari today: the Nyahbinghi Order, Bobo Ashanti and the Twelve Tribes of Israel. All agree on the basic principles of the divine status of Haile Selassie and the importance of black images of divinity. Many Rastafari do not belong to any sect. Nyahbinghi Order[edit] The Nyahbinghi Order (also known as Haile Selassie I Theocratical Order of the Nyahbinghi Reign) is the oldest of all the Rastafari mansions and was named after Queen Nyahbinghi of Uganda, who fought against colonialists in the 19th century.[27] The Nyahbinghi Order holds steadfast to ancient biblical values. It focuses mainly on Haile Selassie I, Ethiopia, and the eventual return to Africa. It is overseen by an Assembly of Elders. Nyahbinghi brethren also accept the Bible according to the teachings of Haile Selassie I. Bobo Ashanti[edit] Bobo Ashanti was founded by Prince Emanuel Charles Edwards in Jamaica in 1958.[28] Bobo means black and Ashanti refers to the Asante ethnic group in Ghana, from whom the most Jamaican slaves had originated. Members of Bobo Ashanti are also known as Bobo Dreads. In belief, Bobo Dreads are distinguished by their worship of Prince Emmanuel (in addition to Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie) as a reincarnation of Christ and embodiment of Jah; their emphasis on the return to Africa (repatriation). Members of the Bobo Ashanti order wear long robes and tightly wrapped turbans around their dreads. They adhere closely to the Jewish Law, including the observance of seventh-day Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday and hygiene laws for menstruating women. They live separately from Jamaican society and other Rastafarians, growing their own produce and selling straw hats and brooms. They often carry brooms with them to symbolize their cleanliness.[citation needed] Twelve Tribes of Israel[edit] Twelve Tribes of Israel headquarters in Shashamane, Ethiopia The Twelve Tribes of Israel sect was founded in 1968 by Dr. Vernon Prophet Gad Carrington.[29] It is the most liberal of the Rastafarian orders and members are free to worship in a church of their choosing. Each member of this sect belongs to one of the 12 Tribes (or Houses), which is determined by Gregorian birth month and is represented by a colour, a part of the body and a character trait often called a faculty. The Standard Israelite calendar begins in April. The 12 tribes being Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph and Benjamin. Although the 12 representations apply to male and female alike, Dinah, although not considered a tribe, is representative of the feminine. Bob Marley was from the tribe of Joseph, and Haile Selassie from the tribe of Judah. These Rastafarians consider themselves more of an ethnicity rather than religion. They dont have to be dreadlocked or turbaned. They can be bald or short-haired like that of Bantus, or they can wear afros like that of African-Americans, a style that originated in the 1970s. There are many 12 tribe branches all around the world. The 12 tribes accept all different races: black, white, asian, etc. The flag of Ethiopia as was used during Selassies reign. It combines the conquering lion of Judah, symbol of the Ethiopian monarchy, with green, yellow, and red, which would later be adopted by many African nations, becoming pan-African colors. The Howellites and The Ethiopian Salvation Society WE ARE HIS PEOPLE I N I NI SAY A ONE A WE;
Posted on: Mon, 13 Jan 2014 11:48:32 +0000
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