Thursday, 15. June 2006
Rastafari / Rastafarianism

In den dreißiger Jahren formte sich auf Jamaika eine Gemeinschaft, die der Überzeugung war, der 1930 in Äthiopien zum Kaiser gekrönte Ras Tafari Makkonen sei der lebende Gott auf Erden. Auf diesen Mann hin nannten sie sich Rastafaris, Rastas oder ähnlich. Sie führen ihre Geschichte zurück auf den israelischen Stamm Juda, König David, König Salomon und sehen sich als die wahren Israeliten, das biblische Volk Gottes.

Es bildeten sich verschiedene Rasta-Kommunen, die teils Organisationen, Sekten und Kirchen gründeten, wie z.B. die "Rastafarian Brethen United Front" oder die "United Curch of Rastafari". Einige gründeten die Zeitung "Rasta-Voice", andere ernannten sich selbst zu Sprechern der Bewegung und wieder andere lehnten das Gründen von Organisationen gänzlich ab.

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© by Jonathan Stephens


Rastafari Revolution von René Jäger. (German)
Eine vielschichte Rastafari Site. Mit Grundlagen, Literatur, Rastaart und Ital Food.

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Die Tatsache, daß es fast nur englischsprachige Literatur über Rastafari gibt, hat mich dazu bewogen, einige wichtige Texte über das Thema zu übersetzen. Die Übersetzungen und Artikel sind unter Teachings zu finden. Einige Downloads mit mehr oder weniger wichtigen Dokumenten rund um das Thema und darüber hinaus werden ebenfalls bereitgestellt. Seit kurzem existiert auch eine kleine Auflistung von Literatur.

Rastafari.de (German)

Übersetzungen einiger Kerntexte und Interviews.


Eine weitere Seite mit deutsche Übersetzungen von Reden Haile Selassies und andere wichtige Dokumente: Rastafari-Archiv von RasRahim. (German)

Rastafarianismus aus emanzipatorischer Sicht oder: Warum coole Kids keinen Reggae hören! Eine linke Kolumne von Crustpunk.de. (German)

Rastafari is a young, Africa-centred religion which developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, following the coronation of Haile Selassie I as King of Ethiopia in 1930. Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie is God, and that he will return to Africa members of the black community who are living in exile as the result of colonisation and the slave trade. Rastafari theology developed from a prophecy allegedly made by Marcus Garvey, a political activist who wanted to improve the status of fellow blacks.
"Look to Africa for the crowning of a king to know your redemption is near."
Marcus Garvey, 1927 (attributed)

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Rastafari became internationally visible when Reggae music took off in the 1960s. The faith spread beyond Jamaica and can now be found in Europe, the USA, Africa, Australasia and Canada.
There are approximately one million world wide adherents of Rastafari as a faith, but probably many more people class themselves as Rastafarians in a social sense rather than in a religious one.

All about Rastafari by BBC. (English)
Check out the related links on the right side, like Life as a Rasta woman by Margaret Polack.
Being a Rastafarian means different things to different people. As for me, being a Rasta woman means that I am ordained by God to emanate his will here on earth and to keep the 10 commandments.
Faith is hope in the unseen, to know that the Lord Almighty God will never let us down come what may. When we are in need of peace, strength, courage and solutions, if we have faith and do his will he will never fail us.

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Rastafarians have developed a unique language and outward appearance, best exemplified by the dreadlock Hairstyle. Rastafarians also have placed a high value on smoking marijuana (ganja), which is used for meditation and to reflect completely on the word of Jah. Rasta has never been strictly defined, but it continues to exist it pockets all over the world, though mainly in Jamaica. The demise and common man's death of Haile Selassie in 1974 discouraged some believers, and Rastafarians have never been liked by the authorities due to its endorsement of marijuana and its excitation of violence. Nevertheless, Rastafarians continue to follow the word of Jah: "ever-loving, ever-fearful, ever-sure as Selassie I the First."

The Essence of Rastafarianism by Pat Hartman. (English)

Well-written site explaining basic Rasta ideas.


Besides an introduction and the basic belief system of Rastafari this site has a brief comparison to the religions of Rastafari to Christianity and Judaism, an article many Rastafarians Refer to as the Prohecy by Marcus Garvey, and much about H.I.M. Haile Selassie. Further learn more about Rastafarian use of Marijuana (Ganja) and other symbols and about the origins of dreadlocks & the use of it by some for monetary. Also where is Rastafari going and what are some of the trends. And much more.

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Rastafari by Jamaican.com. (English)
Category: New Age & New Religion |




Yeah Mon! I’m back!

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We spent 25 beautiful days in Jamaica - most of the time on the beach in Negril. It was a great spot to hang out, have a drink, watch sunsets, walking along the beach, and jump into the turquoise ocean. There we stayed in Negril Gardens. Beachside rooms are located steps away from the beach.

Sounds nice?
Here are some photos.

Category: Personal & Private |


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