Rastafarianism developed in 1920s-30s Jamaica as a response to poverty, racism, and oppression. It was founded on the teachings of Marcus Garvey who advocated black pride and a return to Africa. Rastafarians worship Haile Selassie, the former emperor of Ethiopia, as God incarnate. They use marijuana sacramentally and follow traditions including dreadlocks, the colors red, gold, and green, and nyabinghi drumming ceremonies. The movement was established by Leonard Howell, Archibald Dunkley, and Joseph Hibbert in the hills of St. Thomas, Jamaica in the early 1930s.

1. Poem
I heard the sound of di rasta man say
Babylon yuh throne gone dung,gone dung
Babylon yuh throne gone dung
A rasta run di worl, a rasta run di worl
Wi have wi sacred herb, wi have wi sacred herb
Hail Selassie I his emperial majesty
Respect our sects
Tribe of Israel, Nyahbinghi, and bobo shanti
A rasta run di worl, a rasta run di worl
Jah!!!!

3. Rastafarianism developed in the slums of
Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1920s and 30s. In an
environment of great poverty, depression,
racism and class discrimination, the Rasta
message of black pride, freedom from
oppression, and the hope of return to the
African homeland was gratefully received.

4. The Rastafarian movement began with the
teachings of Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), a
black Jamaican who led a "Back to Africa"
movement. He taught that Africans are the
true Israelites and have been exiled to Jamaica
and other parts of the world as divine
punishment.

5. The religion was name after former crowned
emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, whose
name at birth was Ras Tafari Makonnen.

6. In the early 1930’s Leonard Howell, Archibald
Dunkley and Joseph Hibbert in the hills of
St.Thomas.

7.  Jah was manifested on earth as Jesus, who
Rastas believe was black, and Emperor Haile
Selassie.
 It is believed that Selassie is still alive - his
death was a hoax and he lives in protection
awaiting the Day of Judgment.
 Selassie is worshipped as divine.

8.  Rastafarians are perhaps best known for their
religious use of marijuana. Rastas call it ganja,
the holy herb. Marijuana is used for rituals and
medicinal purposes, for example colds.
 The nyabinghi, or binghi , is a dance held on
Rasta holidays and special occasions .
Nyabinghi can last for several days.

9.  Dreadlocks
 The colours red, gold and green
 The Lion of Judah
 The star of David
 Marijuana
 Chalice
 Drums
Click on the symbol of your choice.

10. The sacred text of Rastafarians is the Holy
Piby, the "Black Man's Bible.”
The Holy Piby is a version of the Christian
Bible that has been altered to remove all the
deliberate distortions that are believed to have
been made by white leaders during its
translation into English.

11.  November 2 - the coronation of Selassie
 January 6 - ceremonial birthday of Selassie
 April 21 - Selassie's visit to Jamaica
 July 23 - Selassie's personal birthday
 August 1 - emancipation from slavery
 August 17 - Marcus Garvey's birthday

14. Fun Time!
Take a quiz about Rastafarian
To start click here