Rastafari: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:01, 22 May 2026

Rastafari
Family	New religious movement / African diaspora
Origin region	Jamaica
Founding period	1930s CE onward
Estimated adherents	A global movement with communities in Jamaica, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, and beyond.

Rastafari is rastafari is a religious, cultural, and political movement that emerged in Jamaica, emphasizing African identity, resistance to oppression, biblical interpretation, repatriation, and reverence for Haile Selassie I in many forms of the movement.

Overview

Rastafari developed among Black Jamaicans in the 20th century in response to colonialism, racism, biblical interpretation, and Pan-African thought. It has no single centralized authority and includes diverse mansions, interpretations, and practices. Music, especially reggae, helped spread Rastafari symbols and language globally.

Key beliefs

Jah as the living God
Haile Selassie I understood by many Rastafari as divine, messianic, or providential
Africa, especially Ethiopia, as spiritual homeland
Babylon as a symbol of oppressive worldly systems
Liberation, dignity, natural living, and resistance to colonial mentality

Practices

Reasoning gatherings
Nyabinghi drumming and chanting
Ital diet and natural living in many communities
Dreadlocks as a covenantal or identity symbol for many adherents
Use of cannabis as sacrament in some communities

Places of worship

Reasoning circle
Nyabinghi gathering place
Home and community spaces

Sacred texts

Bible, especially interpreted through Black liberation and Ethiopian themes
Holy Piby in some historical contexts
Speeches and writings of Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey in movement memory

Holidays and observances

Coronation Day of Haile Selassie I
Earthstrong of Haile Selassie I
Grounation Day
Ethiopian Christmas in some communities

Branches and related traditions

Nyabinghi - One of the major mansions or currents within Rastafari.
Bobo Ashanti - A Rastafari mansion with distinctive communal and liturgical practices.
Twelve Tribes of Israel - A Rastafari organization with biblical tribal symbolism.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Rastafari''' is a tradition, branch, movement, or related community associated with [[New Religious Movements]].
+{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:0 0 1em 1em; width:320px;"
+! colspan="2" | Rastafari
+|-
+! Family
+| New religious movement / African diaspora
+|-
+! Origin region
+| Jamaica
+|-
+! Founding period
+| 1930s CE onward
+|-
+! Estimated adherents
+| A global movement with communities in Jamaica, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, and beyond.
+|}
+'''Rastafari''' is rastafari is a religious, cultural, and political movement that emerged in Jamaica, emphasizing African identity, resistance to oppression, biblical interpretation, repatriation, and reverence for Haile Selassie I in many forms of the movement.
 == Overview ==
-A Jamaican movement drawing on biblical, African diasporic, and anti-colonial themes.
-== Parent tradition ==
+Rastafari developed among Black Jamaicans in the 20th century in response to colonialism, racism, biblical interpretation, and Pan-African thought. It has no single centralized authority and includes diverse mansions, interpretations, and practices. Music, especially reggae, helped spread Rastafari symbols and language globally.
+== Key beliefs ==
+* Jah as the living God
+* Haile Selassie I understood by many Rastafari as divine, messianic, or providential
+* Africa, especially Ethiopia, as spiritual homeland
+* Babylon as a symbol of oppressive worldly systems
+* Liberation, dignity, natural living, and resistance to colonial mentality
+== Practices ==
+* Reasoning gatherings
+* Nyabinghi drumming and chanting
+* Ital diet and natural living in many communities
+* Dreadlocks as a covenantal or identity symbol for many adherents
+* Use of cannabis as sacrament in some communities
+== Places of worship ==
+* Reasoning circle
+* Nyabinghi gathering place
+* Home and community spaces
+== Sacred texts ==
+* Bible, especially interpreted through Black liberation and Ethiopian themes
+* Holy Piby in some historical contexts
+* Speeches and writings of Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey in movement memory
+== Holidays and observances ==
+* Coronation Day of Haile Selassie I
+* Earthstrong of Haile Selassie I
+* Grounation Day
+* Ethiopian Christmas in some communities
+== Branches and related traditions ==
+* [[Nyabinghi]] - One of the major mansions or currents within Rastafari.
+* [[Bobo Ashanti]] - A Rastafari mansion with distinctive communal and liturgical practices.
+* [[Twelve Tribes of Israel]] - A Rastafari organization with biblical tribal symbolism.
+== See also ==
+* [[Religion]]
+* [[Theology]]
+* [[Philosophy of religion]]
 * [[New Religious Movements]]
+* [[Indigenous and Traditional Religions]]
-[[Category:Branches and denominations]]
+[[Category:Religions]]
-[[Category:Modern / Global]]
+[[Category:New Religious Movements]]
+[[Category:African diaspora religions]]