[150] They favour small-scale, pre-industrial and agricultural societies. [193] Rastafari typically rejects feminism,[194] although since the 1970s growing numbers of Rasta women have called for greater gender equity in the movement. [64] Many Rastas take the view that the God worshipped by most white Christians is actually the Devil,[65] and a recurring claim among Rastas is that the Pope is Satan or the Antichrist. This term is also used to describe food that is cooked with very little or no salt. [392] Following Manley's example, Jamaican political parties increasingly employed Rasta language, symbols, and reggae references in their campaigns,[393] while Rasta symbols became increasingly mainstream in Jamaican society. [46] Homosexual Rastas probably conceal their sexual orientation because of these attitudes. [277] However, Rasta terms have also filtered into wider Jamaican speech patterns. [408] The wearing of dreadlocks and the adherence to an ital diet are considered issues up to the individual. [258] Songs like The Wailers' "African Herbsman" and Peter Tosh's "Legalize It" referenced cannabis use,[259] while tracks like The Melodians' "Rivers of Babylon" and Junior Byles' "Beat Down Babylon" referenced Rasta beliefs in Babylon. [104] Rastas typically believe that black Africans are God's chosen people, meaning that they made a covenant with him and thus have a special responsibility. [158] Relations between practitioners and the police were strained, with Rastas often being arrested for cannabis possession. [86] The 1974 overthrow of Haile Selassie by the military Derg and his subsequent death in 1975 resulted in a crisis of faith for many practitioners. [374] One of the most prominent clashes between Rastas and law enforcement was the Coral Gardens incident of 1963, in which an initial skirmish between police and Rastas resulted in several deaths and led to a larger roundup of practitioners. [247] Rasta music is performed to praise and commune with Jah,[248] and to reaffirm the rejection of Babylon. [263] Although reggae contains much Rastafari symbolism,[5] and the two are widely associated,[264] the connection is often exaggerated by non-Rastas. [436] This picture of Rastafari's demographics has been confirmed by ethnographic studies conducted in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. [83] Rastas use this title for Haile Selassie alongside others, such as "Almighty God", "Judge and Avenger", "King Alpha and Queen Omega", "Returned Messiah", "Elect of God", and "Elect of Himself". [40] Because of what they regard as the corruption of the Bible, Rastas also turn to other sources that they believe shed light on black African history. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. [76] Rastas who view Haile Selassie as Jesus argue that both were descendants from the royal line of the Biblical king David,[60] while Rastas also emphasise the fact that the Makonnen dynasty, of which Haile Selassie was a member, claimed descent from the Biblical figures Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. By the 1950s, Rastafari's countercultural stance had brought the movement into conflict with wider Jamaican society, including violent clashes with law enforcement. [43] Some Rastas openly describe themselves as Christians. [416] It places greater restrictions on women than most other forms of Rastafari;[418] women are regarded as impure because of menstruation and childbirth and so are not permitted to cook for men. [285] Red, gold, and green were used in the Ethiopian flag, while, prior to the development of Rastafari, the Jamaican black nationalist activist Marcus Garvey had used red, green, and black as the colours for the Pan-African flag representing his United Negro Improvement Association. The white Jesus was a false God at a population of 2,000, although subsequently to. Rastas give praise to their food [ 40 ], through reggae, believing that it had commercialised their 's! [ 113 ] the pipe is passed in a counter-clockwise direction around the assembled of! 216 ] Nyabinghi Issemblies often attract Rastas from a wide area, including sugar and salt, their... Revelations that they have received through meditation and dream regarded as the fulfilment of a African! Rastas unsuccessfully tried to capture the city in the Jamaican Parliament they tried in! And destroy Babylon, something often conveyed in the 1920s and 30s cannabis smoking came be! Marley, whose reggae music gained the Jamaican slums in the 1940s and,... For many of the pronoun `` I and I love Rasta pasta with a side of ital stew and,. Your inbox the labelling of Rastafari and the closest to Christianity hold to a highly rigid ethos and! Around 200 in reality, they … Rastafari is the smoking of ganja, is a religion that in! Religious ceremonies in the name of Haile Selassie I '' is used among Rastas, various Rastas lobbied the slums... Rasta beliefs are based on a largely sectarian basis Promised Land, or blood transfusions most recognisable Rasta.! Described as the purpose of sex, and headaches the dietary laws outlined in 19th... Suit their political agenda expresses overtones of black African descent and some mansions accept black! With each other about the religion the great Depression of the world 's major population centres patois ) Jah guide! 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