Having Faith In Tower Hamlets

A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z

A

B

Babylon Negative aspects of the system
Bald head A person involved with Babylon
Bandu Hair band worn by women
Bloodfire Hell
Bobo dread A sect of Rastas that wear turbans and carry brooms to signify cleanliness. They are of the Bobo Shanti order, the true followers of Prince Emmanuel
Bredren Fellow friends and collegues, brothers in unity

C

D

Downpress Rasta word for oppress
Dread Person who has dreadlocks, greeting to friend, expression of a good idea

E

F

G

Gates One’s home
Give tanks Rasta expression of gratitude
Greetings Open greeting used widely by Rastas

H

Honor Greeting or farewell

I

I and I The first person singular. Me, myself, and I
I-ditate Meditate
I-dren Bredren, which is taken from the Biblical word brethren
I-man/ I-mon Me or you
I-ney Classic Rasta greeting
I-ree Irie, to be happy.
I-tal Vital, meaning a strict diet and way of life. Most commonly means Rasta food that is pure, unprocessed, and unsalted
I-tes Heights. The I-tes color for Rastas is red. Also used as a greeting

J

Jah Lord. Jah Bless means God Bless
Jah guide Rasta farewell. Literally means God shall guide
Jah know Lord or God knows. An expression of agreement

K

L

M

N

Nyabinghi Traditional and orthodox Rastafarian movement of black supremacy with visions of the Ethiopian Zion. Rasta spiritual gathering with drumming and chanting

O

Ovastan Understand, literally overstand

P

Q

R

Reespek Respect. Popular Rasta greeting that shows courtesy

S

Sistren Reference or greeting to a group of women, usually formal. Sistren are the opposite of bredren or bredrin

T

Tam Large oval-shaped hat used to cover dreadlocks

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

This list is by no means definitive, but it covers a broad range of core Rastafarianism – book list topics. If you would like to see any other books added to the list, we would be pleased to consider your recommendation.

Rastaman: The Rastafarian Movement in England, by E.Cashman.  (Published by George Allen and Unwin, 1979)

Rastafari: Roots and Ideology, by B.Chevannes.  (Published by Syracuse University Press, 1994)

The Kebra Negast: The Lost Bible of Rastafarian Wisdom and Faith from Ethiopia and Jamaica, edited by G.Hausman.  (Published by St Martin’s Press, 1997)

Hath The Lion Prevailed…? By J.Moodie.  (Published by Hath the Lion Enterprise, 1999)

Rasta Heart: A Journey Into One Love, by R.Roskind.  (Published by One Love Press, 2001)

These sites direct students and teachers towards comprehensive sources of information on the Rastafarian faith. Each site carries more links to other web-based educational resources, many relevant to the national curriculum.

www.bbc.co.uk/religion
www.re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk
www.citezenship-pieces.org.uk
www.request.org.uk
www.theresite.org.uk

(The Inter Faith Forum is not responsible for the content of these web sites. If you have any concerns about any site, please contact us. If you would like to suggest any other links, we would be happy to consider your proposal.)

These are addresses to other websites.  They have more information about the Rastafarianism faith in Tower Hamlets, this country and all over the world.

www.bbc.co.uk/religion
www.rastafarian.net
www.rastaspeaks.com
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

(The Inter Faith Forum is not responsible for the content of these web sites. If you have any concerns about any site, please contact us. If you would like to suggest any other links, we would be happy to consider your proposal.

Questions people often ask…

Do I have to be black to become a Rastafarian?
No, Rastafarianism is open to everybody who chooses to accept it. As Haile Selassie said, the colour of a person’s skin is no more significant than the colour of their eyes. What’s more, Rastafarians believe that everybody – regardless of colour – originated in Africa, which makes them Jah’s people.

Are there any Ratsafarian scriptures or holy books?
Rastafarians regard the Christian bible as their holy book. They place particular importance on the Old Testament books of Genesis, Psalms and Revelations.

An edited bible – the Holy Piby, written in 1913 – is often cited as a Rastafarian scripture. The Kebra Negast, a book claiming to trace the kings from Solomon, is also important in establishing Haile Selassie’s lineage.

Haile Selassie also published a new version of the Bible based on ancient Ethiopian scriptures.

Do Rastafarians believe in Jesus Christ?
Haile Selassie followed Jesus Christ as a follower of the Coptic Orthodox tradition. As disciples of Haile Selassie, Rastafarians also believe in Jesus (Eyesos Christos).

Do Rastafarians have an equivalent of a priest or iman?
No. Rastafarians learn from wise elders within their communities.

Local history

Information to follow.

Trevor Dube, a secondary school teacher, moved to Tower Hamlets two years ago from Zimbabwe, where he was born. Now 40, he became a Rastafarian as a university student in Harare. Here, he talks about what it means to follow his faith in Tower Hamlets and how his beliefs influence his daily life.

What’s the best thing about your faith?
It gives me the sense of identity I need to feel centred while giving me the freedom to develop in different directions. My beliefs also give me the strength to fulfil my role as a father and a friend, a son and a husband.

How close are you to other members of the Rastafarian community where you live?
Arriving in this country from Zimbabwe was quite a culture shock. Meeting other Rastas helped me to get over it. Without their support, I doubt I would have settled so quickly. Although most of the Rastas I know were actually born in the UK, they are familiar with the immigrant experience. Like me, they also have close ties to another country. This gives them an instinctive understanding of the way I am feeling and the support I need. Fortunately, my job has enabled to expand my social circle very easily, but I still hook up with other Rastafarians on a regular basis. I always come away feeling stronger, calmer and more focussed. The Rasta community has become a second family to me.

How do your friends and colleagues react when you talk to them about your faith?
In general, they’re fascinated although reactions do vary according to people’s race and backgrounds. Black people are often very keen to know about Marcus Garvey, particularly his teachings on Black empowerment. White people are often surprised to learn that you don’t have to be black to be a Rastafarian. I must be honest and say that not everyone is convinced Haile Selassie was a living god. But I always take time to explain that he is one in a line of saviours that began with Moses and continued through Elijah and Jesus to Haile Selassie.

What is the biggest misunderstanding you have heard about your faith?
If I had a pound for everyone who has asked me whether I grow my own ganga, I would be a very wealthy man!

Which Rastafarian you’ve met has had the biggest influence on your life?
Without a doubt, my grandfather. He was a modest man of such amazing dignity and wisdom. From an early age, he taught me the importance of knowing where I was going by knowing where I had come from. He didn’t preach. He simply made it clear in very gentle ways that fulfilling my potential meant discovering my roots – for myself, by myself.

He was among the very first people in Zimbabwe to discover Rastafarianism. It happened during our country’s liberation war, when he was sent to Ethiopia to train as a guerrilla fighter. Without spelling it out, he approved of my conversion to the faith. His blessing meant the world to me. Somehow, he knew that my faith would be the key to discovering my identity and my vocation. As it turned out, he was absolutely correct.

Is there anything you listen to when you’re looking for inspiration?
Anything by Bob Marley, but particularly his song Zimbabwe! When I was about 16, Bob Marley played at Zimbabwe’s independence ceremony in Harare. It was a defining event in our country’s history and has become part of our shared heritage. In those days, Zimbabweans were riding high on a wave of optimism. We felt anything was possible. That night, Bob Marley became an honorary Zimbabwean for life. Sadly, it was the last time he ever performed in public, but he remains a national hero back home.

What do Rastafarians believe? Rastafarian beliefs have never been strictly defined, yet the faith continues to exist all over the world, mainly in Jamaica. Followers believe that Haile Selassie’s coronation in 1930 was the fulfilment of a prophecy made by the faith’s founder Marcus Garvey. In 1920, he declared that a black messiah would be crowned in Ethiopia. To Rastafarians, Selassie was much more than just a political leader. Their theology focused on the divinity of Selassie as a living manifestation of Jah, the all-knowing and all-loving God. The faithful believe that the Bible sanctions the use of ganja (marijuana). They revere it as a sacrament that helps them discover the true will of Jah. They also believe that one day there will be an exodus of black people to Ethiopia, the Promised Land. Their outlook is shaped by their belief in the Ten Commandments. ^ top

Rastafarian diversity There are three principal sects within Rastafarianism: Bobo Shanti A separatist order that follows Old Testament law Nyahbinghi Order The oldest sect, named after Queen Nyahbinghi of Uganda Twelve Tribes of Israel Followers believe they are descended from the twelve tribes of David Other sects include the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church and the Ethiopian World Federation. Not all Rastafarians regard Haile Selassie as Jah. Some believe he was a devout man, a living icon of Christ. ^ top

How Rastafarianism developed Marcus Garvey is regarded as the founder of Rastafarianism. Next to Halie Sealssie, he is the faith’s most important figure. He was an influential preacher whose black empowerment message and back to Africa teachings attracted a significant following in his native Jamaica. “Look to Africa,” Garvey said in 1920, “when a black king shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is at hand.” Many thought the prophecy was fulfilled in 1930, when Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and proclaimed King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the conquering lion of the Tribe of Judah. After Haile Selassie, Garvey – who became a member of the Orthodox Church – remains Rastafarianism’s most important figure. He devoted most of his life to helping others, and died in London in 1940. In 1960, it seemed possible that Rastafarians might achieve a return to Ethiopia – one of their core principles. With the help of the Jamaican government, a delegation of Rastafarian leaders set out on a mission to Africa. The visit did not result in large-scale immigration from Jamaica. However, sending leaders to Africa gave the faith a better understanding of the continent’s realities, and may have diffused the movement’s enthusiasm for an immediate return there. In 1966, Selassie paid a visit to Jamaica, where he advised believers not to return to Africa until Jamaica had been fully developed. Fourteen years later, Selassie died a normal human death, leading to widespread introspection among the faithful. Some believe that Selassie never died; or that he ascended alive into heaven, and that reports of his death were spread to confuse believers. ^ top

Rastafarian leaders Copy to follow

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.

God
Rastafarians believe that God – or Jah – revealed himself through a succession of saviours or avatars, beginning with Moses. He was followed by Elijah, Jesus Christ and finally Haile Selassie.

Origins
Rastafarianism was officially established in 1930 when Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and proclaimed Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah.

I and I
The concept of I and I expresses the belief that all people are one and that God exists in all of us.

Statistics
There are up to a million Rastafarians worldwide. It is estimated that 60% of people living in Jamaica are Rastafarian or support the faith. Just over 5,000 Rastafarians live in the UK, with around NUMBER in Tower Hamlets.

Structure

• No official church buildings or leaders
• Each individual group and person is autonomous