Rastafarianism is a social, political, and religious movement that originated on the Caribbean island of Jamaica in the late 1920s. Its followers, known as Rastas or Dreads, are renowned for their association with reggae music, their ritualistic use of ganja (marijuana), and their distinctive dreadlocks.
The name Rastafari derives from Ras Tafari, the pre-coronation name of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I (1892–1975), who ruled from 1916 to 1974, formally beginning his reign in 1930. Selassie was a prominent figure as the most notable black African king of his time. His grand coronation in 1930 and his articulate resistance to the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 garnered him international acclaim. Some Rastafarian pioneers, such as Leonard Howell and Archibald Dunkley, proclaimed Selassie as a living god, although Selassie himself remained a devout leader within the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. His visit to Jamaica in 1966 left him perplexed by the fervent reverence shown by Rastafarians.
Despite various interpretations within Rastafari, the 1983 Rastafari Theocratic Assembly recognized a single variant—associated with the House of Nyahbinghi—as the orthodox faith. The Nyahbinghi creed venerates Selassie as a living god and asserts that all African peoples are united. It also declares that the descendants of those taken from Africa as slaves to "Babylon" (a symbolic term for Western oppressors) will one day be repatriated. This belief includes the notion that Africans are descendants of the ancient Hebrews, exiled due to disobedience to Jah (Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews), which resulted in their enslavement by Europeans. Although Selassie was expected to facilitate the return of Africans to their homeland, after his death in 1975, the focus shifted more towards a spiritual return rather than a physical one.
Today, Rastafari is a global movement with adherents in Jamaica, other Caribbean islands, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, the South Pacific islands, and parts of Western Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany. While contemporary Rastas come from diverse races and nationalities, the movement's origins are rooted in Black nationalism. Modern Rastafarians emphasize that it is not merely a nationalist movement but a comprehensive way of life, often referred to as "livity," which encompasses a lifestyle guided by strict theocratic principles.
A central ritual in Rastafari is "reasoning," a communal discussion and debate on the interpretation of biblical texts, local politics, future predictions, and global events. During these gatherings, Rastas smoke ganja, which they believe enhances their spiritual connection to Jah. Ganja is thought to offer both medicinal and spiritual benefits.
Rastafari has thrived as a religious movement for over 70 years, playing a crucial role in the struggles for freedom and equality among people of African descent, particularly in the Caribbean. It remains a highly decentralized movement, consisting of various local organizations, publications, and self-initiated activities, reflecting its enduring influence and adaptability.