Rastafarianism
Dreadlocked spiritual movement
Rastafarianism is a religious and political movement that originated in Jamaica in the 1930s, centered on the belief that Haile Selassie I, the former Ethiopian emperor, was the returned messiah.
Adherents—called Rastas or Rastafarians—emphasize African identity, reject Western society (called Babylon), and often wear dreadlocks and use cannabis sacramentally.
The movement spread globally through reggae music, particularly Bob Marley.
Some adherents prefer Rastafari, considering the -ism suffix a Western imposition.
Jamaican offbeat music style
- dreadlocksRopelike matted hair strands
- JamaicaCaribbean island nation
- roots musicTraditional folk-based genres
- patoisRegional informal speech
Bob Marley · Peter Tosh · Marcus Garvey · Ethiopia · Kingston · dancehall · ska · rocksteady
Rasta term for deity
- ZionBiblical promised homeland
- BabylonAncient Mesopotamian capital
- divinitySacred nature or nougat-like sweet
- salvationDeliverance from harm
Haile Selassie · repatriation · prophecy · righteousness · meditation · sacrament · Bible · revelation
Cannabis, island style
- herbFlavorful or medicinal plant
- vegetarianismAbstaining from flesh consumption
- cannabisPsychoactive hemp plant
- spliffCannabis cigarette, slang
chalice · communal · simplicity · reasoning · fasting · organic · unprocessed · holistic
Global spread from one continent
- anti-colonialismOpposition to foreign domination
- pan-AfricanismMovement for African unity
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
heritage · roots · ancestry · decolonization · oppression · self-determination · identity · pride
reggae
Jamaican offbeat music style
- dreadlocksRopelike matted hair strands
- JamaicaCaribbean island nation
- roots musicTraditional folk-based genres
Bob Marley · Peter Tosh · patois · Marcus Garvey · Ethiopia · Kingston · dancehall · ska · rocksteady · One Love
Jah
Rasta term for deity
- ZionBiblical promised homeland
- BabylonAncient Mesopotamian capital
- divinitySacred nature or nougat-like sweet
Haile Selassie · salvation · repatriation · prophecy · righteousness · meditation · sacrament · Bible · revelation · covenant
ganja
Cannabis, island style
- herbFlavorful or medicinal plant
- vegetarianismAbstaining from flesh consumption
- cannabisPsychoactive hemp plant
spliff · chalice · communal · simplicity · reasoning · fasting · organic · unprocessed · holistic · plant-based
African diaspora
Global spread from one continent
- anti-colonialismOpposition to foreign domination
- pan-AfricanismMovement for African unity
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
empowerment · heritage · roots · ancestry · decolonization · oppression · self-determination · identity · pride · repatriation
- religionsChristianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism
- Modern Religionevangelicalism, fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, New Age, Scientology
- New ReligionsScientology, Hare Krishna, ISKCON, Unification Church, Branch Davidians
- African diasporaSanteria, Vodou, orisha, orishas, ancestor veneration
- Caribbean Spiritualityvodou, voodoo, Santeria, syncretism, folk religion
- Spiritual MovementsGnosticism, Theosophy, theosophy, Kabbalah, Sufism
RastafarianismRoman Catholicism
Papal Christian tradition
Anglicanism · established church · state religion · Protestantism · religious establishment
RastafarianismBabylon
Ancient Mesopotamian capital
colonialism · imperialism · white supremacy · plantation system · British Empire
Rastafarianismatheism
Rejection of deities
irreligion · agnosticism · secular humanism · nihilism · consumerism