| Rastafarianism is one of the peculiar exports
of Jamaica. Known in Jamaica as mostly law abiding often deeply
religious and regarding Ganja as a sacred instrument of their faith,
they are not feared but often respected. |
| Commonly referred to as 'dreads', 'knotty
dreadlocks' and other colloquialisms they wear their hair in a
motley knot of clean but uncombed locks. The influence of Rastas
in Jamaica has always outweighed their numbers estimated to be
between 75-100,000. |
| Whether Rastafarianism was born out of Marcus
Garvey's black consciousness of the 1930s or this allowed it to
grow and prosper is not known. But is is generally agreed that
sometime during the 1930s poor black Jamaicans created this movement
out of the upheaval of the times. |
| Most Rastas see their redemption in Haile
Selassie as did some Garveyites. They see Selassie as the King
of all Africans. They trace his lineage back to King Solomon and
the Queen of Sheba and title him as he did himself 'King of Kings,
Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah'. |
 |
| The locked hair is thought to be a symbolistic
representation of an actual Lion. Rastafarians also believe that
they are one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Ganja is thought to
facilitate communication with their deity, 'Jah'. There are a number
of different Rastafarian sects that adhere to greater or lesser
degrees to the tenets of the Orthodox Rastafarians. |
| Rastafarians have also developed a peculiar
dialect known for regarding the self as 'I', a reflection of the
belief that God exists in each person. |
| THE HERB, SENSIE,
SPLIF |
| Ganja or marijuana as it is popularly
called is everywhere in Jamaica. Make no mistake,
to use, sell, buy or in anyway posses Ganja
is illegal in Jamaica. And though the authorities
have been known to wink at a casual user smoking
one spliff as the cigarettes are known, their
are also some misguided tourist in our jails
who hoped to take a bit of weed with them.
Many Jamaicans see Ganja as medicinal and
for religious purposes. Jamaicans across all
economic classes have been known to enjoy
the use of The Herb at one time or another.
But be warned, it is illegal. |
