1. Marcus Garvey
Ras Tafari Makonnen

2. The Rastafarianism Religion
 Began with the teachings of Marcus Garvey (1887-
1940), a black Jamaican who led a "Back to Africa"
movement.
 Rastafari developed in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica,
 In an environment of great poverty, depression, racism
and class discrimination.
 The Rastafarian movement first became visible in
Jamaica in the 1930’s.

3. Marcus
Garvey

4. In 1927 Garvey prophesied,
“Look to Africa, for there a king
shall be crowned."

5. Ras Tafari Makonnen
 On November 2, 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned
emperor of Ethiopia.
 At his coronation he took the name Haile Selassie,
meaning "Might of the Trinity”.
 Selassie also took the titles, "Conquering Lion of the Tribe
of Judah, Elect of God and King of the Kings of Ethiopia."
 Followers of Garvey's teachings believed that Selassie is
the messiah that had been predicted, and the return to
Africa would begin.
 Rastafarians named their movement for Ras Tafari and
regarded the emperor as the physical presence of God (Jah)
on earth.

6. Emperor Haile
Selassie I of
Ethiopia,
whose
birth name
was Ras Tafari
Makonnen.

7.  A major event in Rastafarian history was Haile
Selassie's visit to Jamaica on April 21, 1966.
 He told the Rastafarians that they should not seek to
immigrate to Ethiopia until they had liberated the
people of Jamaica, a command that came to be known
as "liberation before repatriation.“
 April 21 is celebrated as a Rastafarian holiday.
 Selassie was deposed in 1974 in a military coup and
kept under house arrest until he was apparently killed
by his captors in 1975.

8. The Holy Text of Rastafarianism
 The Holy Piby is the holy text of rastas. It was
compiled in 1913- 1917 and published in 1924 by Robert
Athlyi Rogers of Anguilla. It is also known as 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 conversion to english.

9. Beliefs
 Jah was manifested on earth as Jesus, who Rastas believe
was black.
 Rastas also believe in Old Testament prophets like Moses
and Elijah.
 Rastafarians do not believe in the afterlife, but instead
look to Africa, called "Zion" as a heaven on earth.
 True Rastas are believed to be immortal, both physically
and spiritually, a concept called "ever living.”An important
Rastafarian concept is "I and I.“
 Another central concept is Babylon, which refers to the
white power structure of Europe and the Americas. Rastas
seek to resist Babylon.

10. Rituals and Traditions

11.  Rastafarians are perhaps best known for their religious
use of marijuana.
 Scriptural support is found especially in Psalm 104:14:
"He causeth the grass for the cattle and herb for the
service of man."
 Rastas also use marijuana for medicinal purposes,
applying it to a variety of ailments including colds.

12. Rasta holidays
 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

13. Rituals and Traditions
 One of the most visible practices of Rastafarians is the
wearing of one's hair in dreadlocks. Dreadlocks have
several purposes and layers of meaning for
Rastafarians, including:
 the biblical command not to cut one's hair (Leviticus
21:5)
 the appearance of the lion's mane, representing
strength, Africa, Ethiopia, and the Lion of Judah
 naturalness and simplicity, which are associated with
Africa
 the Rasta's roots in Africa

14. Red, Gold and Green
 Red stands for the triumphant church of the Rastas as
well as the blood of the martyrs in the black struggle
for liberation.
 Gold represents the wealth of their African homeland.
 Green symbolizes Ethiopia's beauty and lush
vegetation.
 Black is often also included, representing the color of
the Africans.
 Lion of Judah, which represents Haile Selassie as the
King of Kings, Africa, and strength.

15. Rastafarian
Flag
Colours of Red,
Green and Gold,
with the Lion of
Judah.

16. Rituals and Traditions Continued
 The most observant Rastas follow a dietary law
called Ital.
 Ital food is food which is completely natural (not
canned and free of chemicals and preservatives) and
eaten as raw as possible. Old Testament prohibitions
against pork and shellfish are part of Ital.
 Rastafarians reject the use of alcohol, since it is a
fermented chemical that does not belong in the
temple of the body and it makes a person stupid.

17. Sects Of Rastafarianism
 There are three main sects of the Rastafarian religion:
 The Nyahbinghi Order
 Bobo Shanti
 The Twelve Tribes of Israel

18. Dreadlocks
Rastafarian Hair
style

19. Emperor Haile
Selassie I on
the cover
of Time magaz
ine,
November 3,
1930.
First Black Man to
be on the cover of
Time Magazine.

20. Marijuana
Rastas know it as
ganja.

21. By: Travis Seepersad