Dreadlocks, ganja and reggae music: these are the distinctive signs of the Rasta people, what makes them recognizable. However, not everyone knows that Rastafarianism is a real religion! The external signs that we are used to recognizing are the modern and, if you like, a bit “pop” reinterpretation of religious practices with very deep meanings.

For many, smoking weed, styling their hair in characteristic locks and adopting an open, joyful and respectful lifestyle is simply a philosophy, a way of life; for those who are followers of Rastafarianism, however, there is also a deeper spiritual content underneath.

Let's look at some aspects of the Rasta religion together, to get to know it better!

The story

Rastafarianism was born as a religious movement closely linked to the independence of Ethiopia. Since the end of the 19th century, the Ethiopian movement aimed to recover the value of African culture through a particular reading of Christianity: the tribe of Judah (i.e. the Ethiopian people), born from the union of the Jewish king Solomon with the Queen of Sheba, was for them the true heir of the Christian message. In 1930, a “Ras Tafari”, that is, an emperor, a king of kings, finally ascended the throne of Ethiopia: it was the sovereign Hailé Selassié I, who was later identified by believers as a new incarnation of Jesus Christ.

The values

Rastafarians believe in a religion that is in fact an evolution of Christianity: they accept the teachings of Jesus, the doctrine of the Trinity, believe in the resurrection after death and read the Gospel. In addition to these things, however, they also have their own sacred book, the Kebra Nagast. In Rastafarian theology, the faithful believe that  Haile Selassie I, the “Lion of Judah”, was a new incarnation of Jesus and therefore they follow his teaching. His coming had been predicted by the Africanist trade unionist (for the Rastas prophet) Marcus Garvey, who had predicted the coronation of a black king who would push all the former slaves still in exile to return to Africa. Ethiopia is seen by the Rastafarians as “the new Jerusalem”, the promised land. The values ​​of the Rasta religion are spiritual openness, the self-determination of peoples, the repudiation of war, the principle of collective security, the anti-totalitarianism of political systems and equality between the peoples of the world.

The dreadlocks

The typical dreadlocks worn with pride by Rasta devotees are linked to the biblical myth of Samson. This legendary character was endowed with superhuman strength, given by God, but he lost it every time his hair was cut. Letting one’s hair grow without ever cutting or combing it (thus obtaining the typical “knots”) is seen by believers as a sign of devotion to God and as a tangible demonstration of their faith.

The ganja

According to some scholars, the herb is mentioned in the Old Testament. According to the Rastafari movement, the plant was born on the tomb of King Solomon, the wise man, and for this reason, those who smoke it acquire a higher consciousness. Marijuana, according to other legends, is the plant of wisdom that grew in the Garden of Eden, next to the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Rastafarians are against the use of alcohol and instead use the herb for meditative purposes.

The reggae

Reggae music, thanks to inspiring personalities like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, has had the merit of making Rasta culture known throughout the world! This musical genre was born in Jamaica, where a great cultural revolution was taking place since the 60s, and initially it was played mainly in the poorest and underground environments. Soon this music became the symbol of the emancipation of all colonized and subjugated peoples and gave a great contribution to the spread of the Rasta belief. Some believers, however, do not like this musical genre because they find it too commercial. The true sacred music of the Rastafarians is of African origin and is called Nyabinghi: Bob Marley incorporated some elements of this tradition into his songs.