Rastafari is a young, Africa-centred religion which developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, following the coronation of Haile Selassie I as King of Ethiopia in 1930. Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie is God and that he will return to Africa members of the black community who are living in exile as the result of colonisation and the slave trade. Rastafari theology developed from the ideas of Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of fellow blacks. There are approximately one million world wide adherents of Rastafari as a faith. Followers of Rastafari are known by a variety of names : Rastafarians, Rastas, Sufferers, Locksmen, Dreads or Dreadlocks.

 

• It spread globally following the success of Bob Marley and his music in the 1970s

• Rastafarians believe that blacks are the chosen people of God, but that through colonisation and the slave trade their role has been suppressed

• The movement's greatest concerns are the repatriation of blacks to their homeland, Africa, and the reinstatement of blacks' position in society

• It is an exocentric religion - as Haile Selassie, whom adherents consider as God, is outside the religion

• Rastafari religious ceremonies consist of chanting, drumming and meditating in order to reach a state of heightened spirituality

• Rastafarian religious practice includes the ritual inhalation of marijuana, to increase their spiritual awareness

• Rastafarians follow strict dietary laws and abstain from alcohol.

• Rastafarians follow a number of Old Testament Laws

• There is a separate code of religious practice for women in Rastafari

• Rastafarians believe reincarnation follows death and that life is eternal

• Rastafarians are forbidden to cut their hair; instead, they grow it and twist it into dreadlocks

• Rastafarians eat clean and natural produce, such as fruit and vegetables

• Rastafarians are opposed to abortion and contraception