How Rastafarians worship
Rastafarians live a peaceful life with few material possessions. They devote much time to contemplating the scriptures and avoid the materialistic world, which they call Babylon.
Rastafarians have adopted a form of Hindu avatars, believing that Haile Selassie was the last of four incarnations of God that include Moses, the Hebrew Prophet Elija, and Jesus.
Diet
Rastafarians generally eat an I-tal diet comprising foods that are as pure as possible; often – but not always – raw; and free of chemical additives and preservatives.
They avoid meat (especially pork), coffee, salt, tobacco, alcohol, and seafood (although small fish are allowed).
Hair
Rastafarians are prohibited from cutting their hair, interfering with its natural growth, or using hair products and stylists. Dreadlocks are a natural result of this practice, rather than a cultivated hairstyle.
Dress
Many Rastafarians wear a tam, a woolly hat often coloured red, green and gold.
Women keep their heads covered when receiving visitors or worshipping, while men uncover their heads during worship.
Women conceal their bodies and wear colourful dresses.
Symbols
Rastafarianism’s most important symbols are the Lion of Judah, Haile Selassie’s personal emblem; and the red, black, green and gold flag, adopted from Garvey’s back to Africa movement.
Red represents the blood of African martyrs; black represents the colour of the ancient African people; green represents the fertility of the Promised Land, Ethiopia; gold represents Africa’s wealth.
The Christian cross is another important symbol.
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