Many of us are indifferent and can’t make anything of Rasta people. Often perceived as low-living individuals, confined in slums or ghettos, doing just nothing other than donning (dirty-looking) dreadlocks, looking all violent and anti-social, huskily churning a Bomboclat here and a Wagwan, Jah Bless there, singing away on a rickety guitar and, you guessed right, smoking the weed. No job. No dreams. No vibrant social life. Perhaps the most intense display of their community in Uganda was during Mowzey Radio’s send-off in 2018. You know them: the Buchamans, Maddoxx Ssematimbas, Latif Madois, Litto Joes, Mighty Sons, and… Well, Tshaka Mayanja may not be ‘low-living,’ but he is undoubtedly a Rastaman! So who exactly are these mysterious brothers—and sometimes sisters—living among us? Well, it all starts with a story…
Imagine being torn from your family, home, and culture—the very things that define who you are— only to be violently forced into bondage, packed like cheap filthy baggage, with thousands of others and, barely fed and under very harsh weather, transported across gigantic oceans to a strange land, never to come back home again. You might be thinking: uuuhhmm…I would simply wake up from that horrific dream! Well, this was the brutal reality for a million sons of African soil during the infamous Trans-Atlantic slave trade, inflicted by European colonizers, particularly British, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Jamaica, a Caribbean island, one of these slave destinations, became a melting pot of African cultures, with enslaved people from Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Liberia. Deposited on the island to toil on plantations and build infrastructure for their European oppressors, Africans faced inhumane conditions. Ruthless British colonizers treated enslaved Africans as commodities bought from their tribe leaders, forcing them to work long hours, subjecting them to physical and emotional abuse, and separating them from their families—hence disregarding their human dignity. The British imposed their language, customs, and beliefs, attempting to erase African identities. We know this history, don’t we? Those were dark days…
What is admirable, however, despite these atrocities, Africans who were dropped on the Caribbean nation of Jamaica, clung to their cultural heritage and spiritual practices. They found solace in shared experiences and African traditions—the very religious beliefs they had inherited from their ancestors, whose bones lay back home. These beliefs are what is commonly collectively known as the religion of the ATS. They also crafted a dialect—Patois (pronounced Patwah) to confuse their slave masters during communication. Patois, a blend of English and African languages should remind you of the Biblical Tower of Babel and its lingual confusions.
Because their slave masters were predominantly Christian, Christianity slowly trickled into their culture, and slowly Africans merged Christian teachings with their spirituality, laying the groundwork for a unique cultural identity. It is important to note that they did not adopt the practice of such teachings, but rather used the same to modify their beliefs.
After the abolition of slavery in 1833, the British deposited thousands of spent—exhausted and sick– African slaves on the island, leaving them to the mercy of harsh conditions to…well die. This cruel act was aimed to rid them of “unproductive” labor, and, historians suspect it also was aimed to erase Africans, as a means of eradicating evidence with which history would judge Britain. Or worse still, to wipe out the black African race from that region. Jamaica’s struggle for Independence culminated in 1962 when the island became a sovereign state. This milestone marked a new era for its people but also fostered a deep and enduring resentment toward the white man, whom they referred to as Babylon drawing a comparison to the notorious ancient Israeli slave masters of 500 BCE.
The British had done what their predecessors, the Persians, Greeks, and Romans had done in the BCE and early ADE—inculcating alien cultures and education into conquered peoples. This exposure to foreign education modified African beliefs, and voila—Rastafarianism was born! This is how it happened…
In the 1930s, an Ethiopian man, Ras Tafari Makonnen ascended to the Ethiopian throne as emperor. His royal name was Emperor Haile Selassie I. Scriptural knowledge that Africans acquired from their slave masters had prior directed the strong belief that a certain individual had been prophesied by the Bible, who would save African slaves from British tyranny and take them back home to Africa. This, as the belief suggested, was the Biblical Messiah! However, there are two problems with such a belief: (1) the Bible through prophets Jeremiah and Daniel seems to have been circling Israel, and not Jamaica, which when this prophecy had been proclaimed, was in Babylonian captivity. And so this scriptural promise, according to Christianity and Judaism, was directed towards the Jews—to be taken back home to Judea (previously a part of Canaan land).
Modern Rastafarian theologians, however, argue that the concept of Double Reference (where a prophecy can be fulfilled more than once) applies in this case. The prophecy of Israel was fulfilled in 500 BC, and the prophecy of Jamaica was just around the corner. (2) The Messiah was supposed to be an Israeli—a Jew from the tribe of Judah, specifically. In defense, Rastafarian theologians point to Psalm 68:31 (‘Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God’) and Revelation 19:16 (‘And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS’) to assert that Africa is the promised land. They also reference a fascinating legend that Haile Selassie I is a direct descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13). According to this legend, King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba had more than just a one-time visit—they had a relationship that produced a line of descendants, with Haile Selassie being among them. Given King Solomon’s legendary love for many women, we can’t rule out this possibility. All we can do is marvel at the genius of Leonard Howell (1898-1981), who came up with this theory.
When Ras Tafari ascended to the throne in Ethiopia, the Rastafarian religion was founded in Jamaica, many miles away, in his honor. It was established to prepare the enslaved for redemption by this Messiah, who is seen either as Jah himself or as a direct connection to Jah.
As you’ve likely noticed, this religion draws from various belief systems. These include African unity and repatriation emphasized by Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), social justice and African identity emphasized by Robert Hinds (1900-1957), and promotion of African spiritual and cultural practices emphasized by Prince Emmanuel Edwards (1915-1994).
Rastafarianism’s key tenets include the following:
Growing Dreadlocks, symbolizing spiritual strength— Rastafarians believe that locks are antennae to tap into the powers of the spiritual world and obedience to Leviticus 19:27— African identity whereby Africans in the ATS never cut their hair, and as a way to challenge the standards of the Babylon (white-man/western world) system. Also growing dreadlocks promotes patience and cleanliness.
Ganja (weed) smoking, used for spiritual and medicinal purposes. King Fizzol, a Rastafarian dread stylist in Makindye, Kampala, Uganda, shares that during the historical suffering endured by Africans under white-man tyranny, Jah revealed a spiritual herb from Africa that helped elevate them into happiness and resilience. Since then, it has been used in worship, as its sedative effects are believed to lift one beyond human understanding and into spiritual realms, connecting with Jah.
Music became a vital component of Rastafarianism, spreading its message globally through reggae, dancehall, and reggae. Legendary artists like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh popularized the movement. For instance, Bob Marley’s iconic song “One Love” embodies Rastafarianism’s message of unity and redemption.
Rastafarianism appears to promote the integration of Christianity and ATS religion, using Biblical scripture to interpret and emphasize African heritage, superiority, ancestral worship, and natural living. This approach is tricky, as the Bible often prohibits the worship of other gods. However, Rastas believe in one Almighty God, Jah, while acknowledging intermediary spirits of deceased ancestors (Bajaja) and resident spirits (Emissangwa, often referred to as demons or evil spirits by Christianity). These spirits are believed to help fulfill human desires without disturbing Jah’s will. Rastafarians critique Christians—not the Bible—for promoting the Babylon system and its standards, such as names, fashion, education, technology, and more. Rastafarianism emphasizes spiritual practices like daily prayer, meditation, Bible study, Nyabinghi gatherings, reasoning sessions, ancestral worship, sacred ganja use, and natural living—avoiding meat (especially pork), tobacco, alcohol, harmful substances, disrespect, compromise for monetary gains, and support for Babylon systems.
Sexual Purity: In Rastafarian belief, sex is considered a sacred act that should not profane the body. Pre-marital sex is prohibited, as is sex with multiple partners. Homosexuality is strongly prohibited, and abstinence is highly encouraged.
Sacred Symbols and Holy Days: Key symbols in Rastafarianism include the Lion of Judah flag, Haile Selassie’s image, African colors, dreadlocks, and the ganja leaf. Important holy days include Haile Selassie’s birthday on July 23rd, Marcus Garvey’s birthday on August 17th, Ethiopian New Year on September 11th, and Groundation Day on April 21st.
Though Rastafarianism was founded on strong principles and has played a significant role in shaping global music culture, thanks to Bob Marley and others, it now faces challenges that stem from the very enemy it was created to resist—western standards.
Rastafarianism is confronted with contemporary forces, including the growing power of the Babylon system, internal fragmentation, commercialization, and cultural dilution. Externally, it faces social stigma and struggles to be embraced by a society driven by Western values. Legal restrictions on ganja also present a challenge, as authorities grapple with the dilemma of legalizing the sacred herb, especially considering its abusive use by some, particularly in the music industry.
Rastafarianism also competes with and faces opposition from Christianity, Islam, and other religions. Religious tides are shifting, sometimes leading to damaging attacks. Rastafarians have been branded as lunatics in many societies, largely due to the influence of other religions. Additionally, the absence of core religious texts—relying on a book primarily associated with Christianity—can be confusing.
Societal challenges facing Rastafarianism include racism, economic inequality, and technological advancements—all of which align with the Babylon system. Practical challenges involve issues like economic sustainability, education, health, family dynamics, and community building. Philosophical challenges include reconciling tradition with modern values, balancing individualism with collectivism, addressing gender and sexuality issues, re-evaluating biblical interpretations, and integrating science and technology with spiritual principles. Additionally, Jamaica’s contemporary, sexually charged, and drug-fueled music industry undermines Rastafarian values, as exemplified by artists like Vybz Kartel, whose image and behavior contradict Rastafarian principles.
The industry’s ties to drug cartels and criminal activities, such as Kartel’s alleged involvement in gang activity and murder, further contradict Rastafarian principles. The infiltration of prohibited sexual acts, including homosexuality, and nudity into Jamaican culture and music also presents a challenge. Other Jamaican artists who have clashed with Rastafarianism include Buju Banton, Sizzla, Spice, Elephant Man, Alkaline, and Beenie Man, who have faced criticism for promoting violence, sex, and explicit music.
The notorious Jamaican Pasapasa carnival features explicit dancehall music, nudity, provocative dressing, substance abuse (alcohol, marijuana, etc.), promiscuity, public displays of affection, and homosexual and transgender performances. These elements directly contradict Rastafarian values of modesty and humility, respect for women and family, abstinence from harmful substances, heterosexuality, traditional family values, and spiritual inner peace.
Ugandan artists have attempted to embrace Rastafarianism, influenced historically by figures like Jose Chameleone, Bebe Cool, and Bobi Wine, incorporating its symbols and message into their music. However, core Rastafarians argue that this adoption is superficial. Many Ugandan artists have also embraced activities like violence, substance abuse, politics, and carnivorous diets that align with the Babylon system. The trend among these artists is to publicly identify as Rastas for prestige, yet they fail to fully conform to its principles. This has created a confusing situation, where they abandon their original religions for Rastafarianism but do not truly follow its teachings, resulting in a near-atheistic stance.
