Do Rastas celebrate Easter?

On our calendar of events, Rastafarians do not celebrate Easter, as in the case of Christmas (Christ mass), the Nyabinghi Theocratic Order for certain. The origins of Easter customs unveil as follows. The most widely practiced customs on Easter Sunday relate to the symbol of the rabbit ('Easter bunny') and the egg.

Do Rastas celebrate Christmas?

And so, it emerges that Rastafarians do celebrate the Birth of Christ, except that it's not called Christmas and it's not celebrated on the 25th of December. It is called Lidät, an Amharic word meaning “Birthday”.

What do Rastafarians celebrate at Passover?

Fasika - celebrated on May 5th as an observance of passover, the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and their passage out of Egypt. This celebration of Fasika is one way Rastafarianism is connected with the Jewish religion.

Is Rastafarian same as Christianity?

Rastafari is a religious and political movement that began in Jamaica in the 1930s and was adopted by many groups around the globe. It combines Protestant Christianity, mysticism, and a pan-African political consciousness.

Do Rastas read the Bible?

They study and recite the Hebrew Bible, and believe it tells their own story of the history of their oppression, as well as a promise of delivery from it. Rastafarians also uphold some of the Biblical laws on diet and dress.

Pagan Origins of Easter

What do Rastas say before smoking?

The Ganja is always smoked in a ritual way. Before smoking the plant the Rasta will say a prayer to Jah (God) or to Haile Selassie I. The Rasta call them reasoning sessions when they use Ganja for Nyabinghi. A Nyabinghi session is much different from a casual marijuana smoking session that western people take part in.

How do you say thank you in Rastafarian?

Who is Jesus in Rastafarianism?

By viewing Haile Selassie as Jesus, these Rastas also regard him as the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, the manifestation of God in human form, and "the living God".

What is the Rasta Bible called?

The Jah International Version is a revision of the King James Version, which has a long history of use in Rastafari. The JIV restores the name of God JAH in both the Old and New Testaments.

Do Rastafarians believe in the Holy Trinity?

Trinity is an ongoing and important aspect of faith and art for Rastafarians: Their name itself, a combination of Jah and Ras Tafari (Selassie's original name), means trinity. Three colors dominate -- red, gold and green, the colors of the Ethiopian flag.

Do Rastas go to funerals?

Why do some Rastafari choose not to hold funerals? Within Rastafari there is no death, that's one of the key things. They are spiritual beings having a physical experience, so within that there is no death. As a Rasta, in days of old, and still in some cases today, when you go to a funeral, you then cut your dreads.

Why is April 21 a holy day for Rastafarians?

Groundation Day (21st April)

Marks the date Haile Selassie I visited Jamaica in 1966. The visit was the only time the Emperor visited Jamaica. A Nyabingi session, inclusive of music, chanting and prayer is held to mark the occasion.

Do Rastas drink coffee?

Most Rastafari disapprove of cigarettes due to the serious health concerns associated with their use, and many Rastafari avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages, though this is less common.

Can Rastas have tattoos?

Although it is possible to be a 'cleanface, baldhead' Rasta, most Rastafarians follow the Nazarites in that they do not use combs or razors (hence beard and dreadlocks) and do not practise any sort of body piercing or tattooing.

Do Rasta eat meat?

To stay healthy and spiritually connected to the earth, Rastas eat a natural diet free from additives, chemicals, and most meat. The style of primarily vegan eating is known as ital cooking. Rastas commonly say, “Ital is vital,” pointing to how the diet got its name.

Is Rastafarian a recognized religion in the US?

(1) Rastafarianism is among the religious groups sufficiently stable and distinctive to be identified as one of the existing religions in the United States and is thus a recognized religion within the meaning of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Is Jah a Jehovah?

Proper noun. (religion) A shortened form of Yahweh or Jehovah, God's personal name in the Bible. Often appearing as part of Biblical names as "-iah", or "Jeho-" as in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jehoshua, and Jehosaphat, and Hebrew words like הַלְּלוּיָהּ‎ (“hallelujah”).

Are Rastafarians Israelites?

Rastafarians regard themselves as the genuine Israelites. They believe they have been persecuted by white people and the form of this punishment is their subordinate position as the slaves of whites.

Why do Rastas worship Selassie?

Rastafarians regard Haile Selassie I as God because Marcus Garvey's prophecy - "Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be the Redeemer" - was swiftly followed by the ascension of Haile Selassie as Emperor of Ethiopia. Haile Selassie I is regarded by Rastafarians as the God of the Black race.

Is Jah in the Bible?

In the King James Version of the Christian Bible, the Hebrew יהּ is transliterated as "JAH" (capitalised) in only one instance: "Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him".

What does Zion mean to Rastafarians?

Rastafari movement

In Rastafari, "Zion" stands for a utopian place of unity, peace and freedom, as opposed to "Babylon", the oppressing and exploiting system of the materialistic modern world and a place of evil.

What are the three types of Rastafarians?

There are three distinct orders of the Rastafarian movement which hold different beliefs and symbols. These are: Boba Shanti, Nyahbinji and the Twelve tribes.

What do you call a Rasta woman?

The role of Rastafarian women, who are called Queens, and the rules that apply specifically to women.

How do Rasta say happy birthday?

Make someone smile today with this vibrant Jamaican Patois phrase birthday card. The message on the cover 'Big Up Pon Yuh Earthstrong' can be translated as 'Happy Birthday'.

What is a Yardie in Jamaica?

/ (ˈjɑːdɪ) / noun. a member of a Black criminal syndicate originally based in Jamaica.