For many people, rastafarism is a religion, even part of the rasta population think so. But from the point of view of the connotation it has taken this movement toward humanist and revolutionary thinking processes, it is possible to classify as a philosophy of life, based in absentia and social struggle. A way of life based on the cultural values of Africa and the Caribbean American.

This movement of political - religious orientation emerged in Jamaica at the beginning of the 1930's, between the working class black populations in Jamaica, in times of the Great Economic Depression in the United States. Its origin is based on the biblical prophecies concerning the divinity of Haile Selassie, in the teachings of publicist and organizer Marcus Mosiah Garvey, (political and cultural whose vision inspired the founders of the movement) and the social and political aspirations of the oppressed black community.

On this last point lock many historical details to understanding the origin of this rebellious movement. The centuries of black slavery and colonization that Europe and the United States exerted on the African continent led to a process of accelerated degradation of the cultural identity of the original population of Africa, as well as natural resources that since ancient times were guarded by local people, very similar to the destructive process of conquest and colonization of America. Many Africans were expatriates as slaves to those oppressors’ countries, uprooted from their loved land and their values, customs and traditions.

This genocide, plunder and outrage for the dignity of the mother continent led to the black population, inside and outside Africa, to assume a position of defending their dignity, quite degraded by the imposition of war and religious.

“Despite such a degree of bad life,
The Africans looked upward,
They looked for a way out,
Broke the chains, broke the chains of black slavery
Broke the chains of black slavery
So I have black blood in the veins (...) ”

**Cultura Profética, Puerto Rico**

Therefore, the Rastafarian movement proposes a new path, native and fresh view of politics, religion and culture in Africa, America, Europe and the rest of the world, fighting racial inequality and injustice against the peoples. Demonstrating, among many things, that no matter your skin color, height or ethnicity, to integrate this interesting process of cultural rescue.

It is important to emphasize the feeling of political rebellion that the Rastafarism drives in the hearts of the people, therefore proposes and promotes forms of expression to deal critically values imposed by the dominant ideology present, the cause of so much poverty and pain. For some Rastafarians, the fundamental basis of their religious expressions are found in the Holy Bible, analysis tool, meditation and wisdom to those exploited by the unjust social system and established religions with force and violence.

For those in the Rasta movement, music means the principal means of disseminating its message and way of thinking. Below is a brief background about the more representative and popular pace of Rasta culture: REGGAE.

The REGGAE is a musical genre that development on the Caribbean island of Jamaica, as a combination of Afro-Antillean rhythms (SOCA, CALYPSO, MENTO) and the American RHYTHM & BLUES. It started in the mid 50's, those years the radio stations in southern United States, especially in the city of New Orleans, were heard in Jamaica.

The musical rhythms like RHYTHM & BLUES, which came from these stations, were mixing with the rhythms of the original Jamaican inhabitants. The distinctive elements of this music were the focus of the so-called "off-beat", with marked Caribbean tendency. In Jamaica, the off-beat became increasingly accentuated, and the influence of Afro-Antillean rhythms began to become more noticeable.

This was derived as the SKA, BLUEBEAT and ROCKSTEADY, immediate background music to REGGAE. The term reggae comes from the English word raggamuffin, derived from "rag", which literally means ragged. It was used to label poor class, Rastafarians and Jamaican musicians and their cultural movements. After the word was derived in ragga, and then to appoint REGGAE.

At the end of 60’s, a new generation of musicians trying new ways of playing ROCKSTEADY, implementing a merger with chants Rastafari, characterized by sound rhythmic repetitions, very original percussion and topics related to the protest and social critique.

REGGAE movement born, which placed in the foreground to the bass and battery, leaving the other instruments as accompaniment. It was also influenced by the SOUL music with their sweet harmonies, and with the more raw power sounds of ROCK.

Another important element in the development was that the lyrics of the songs began to reflect social situations and a critique of modern society. The REGGAE includes songs that deal with poverty, political and Rastafarism, and has served as used influence to other musical styles such as PUNK ROCK and originator of the RAP, initiated by Jamaicans living in New York. The merger of the RAP and REGGAE has influenced modern styles such as RAGGAMUFFIN.

These musical varieties have survived over the years and although Jamaica remains the main exponent, other countries like England (because of its large number of immigrants and Jamaican descendants), African and Latin American countries, are producing very good REGGAE artists.

Many of the REGGAE songs are eminently spiritual, whose lyrics predominates praise to God (Jah). It is often exclaims Rastafari meaning "Prince Tafarí" (ras means prince in amaharican language), which refers to Ras Tafari Makonnen, subsequently named Haile Selassie I, King of Ethiopia (1892-1975), revered as a prophet.

Other recurrent themes in the letters are poverty, racial discrimination, resistance to the oppression of Governments, as well as beautiful love songs.

Some of the best-known interpreters of the genre are Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, among others. The first appearance of reggae music is attributed to the song "Fat man" of the singer Derrick Morgan. While there are those who argue that "Do the reggay" of the group The Maytals, led by Toots Hibbert, was the first song.

The religious aspect of rastafarism is divided basically into three branches. It is worth mentioning that there are Rastafarians who do not adhere to any of them and profess their faith in their own way:

The 12 Tribes of Israel: it is an organization founded in 1968 by Vernon Carrington in Trenchtown, Jamaica, with the aim of bringing together the Rastafarians to organize the repatriation to Africa. They created a community that is based on the principles of the Bible, leaving his free interpretation and are organized by tribes. In the Bible the 12 sons of Jacob, after called Israel (people of God), representing a tribe and receive a blessing from Jah (abbreviation of Jehovah). They believe that we are all brothers regardless of colour, race or origin. They believe in Iyesus Kristos (Jesus) and the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

Boboshanti: it was created by Prince Emmanuel I, Rasta elder, who professes that the divine trinity composes king, priest and prophet. The king is Haile Selassie I, the prophet is Marcus Garvey and he is the priest. It is the most closed and strict order. They have a strictly vegetarian diet; do not eat anything that will drag on the floor (including vegetables). They dress with an African tunic and a turban to contain the physical and spiritual power which gives them the dreadlocks. They believe in black supremacy over any other race. They practice orthodox rituals of Ethiopia.

Nyahbinghi Natty Dreadlock: are the elderly Rasta, most of who live in the mountains or on beaches. It is the oldest believers of the faith, why are most concerned about convey their knowledge to children. Many of them were Christians when they were young. They hold different dates annually, where dance, reflect, meditate and give thanks to Jah with his former sacrament to the beat of Nyabinghi drums, the real Rastafarian music.

Other smaller organizations are: The Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church, Ethiopian World Federation, Haile Selassie Theocratic Church and Rastafarian Association.

Today's world requires dynamic and active people. Men and women with the capacity to carry out social, political, economic and environmental struggles, that be intelligently opposed to the current global maelstrom caused by the currents of destructive and repressive thought, coming from the bowels of Babylon.

Rasta men and women symbolize nature of this struggle in humans. Knowing your own history, and feel proud of what native, by the African cultural heritage and indigenous (usually relegated to the background), is the best tool to combat with strong arguments racism and decimate the influence of unscrupulous people and damaging.

As Bob Marley said in the song Buffalo Soldier: If you know your history, then you would know where you coming from (…).

This little reflection might sound like religious or ideological fiction, but if analyzed in detail and compare it to the reality of your country you will notice that this is a completely applicable to your environment. No matter which country you are from, everyone is born with the ability to help others, as well as the spiritual "I & I" we need to persist in the struggle.

It is not. Many times people are classified as antisocial, extremists or are excluded by the simple fact of thinking differently. Modern society turns people into “square thinking” who do not accept the cultural and political differences.

The Rasta looking to express with their thoughts, their works and their appearance, the respect and solidarity towards our fellow human beings, and it is capable of defending its principles until the very end when they are threatened. The analytical Rasta is the person that delves into his being, nature, culture, history and constructively criticizing the imposed social order.

If black people had to stand up aggressively was because racism and exploitation not left breathing. We should value that premise at the time to criticize a person for their way of life, regardless of race, color or stature.

If love your neighbor and the environment is an extremist action, then let rise the extreme feeling of respect and good vibrates that you keep inside!

The truth, we becomes not Rasta, is a quality with which all men and women are born, but each person must learn to shape over the years, as it requires that the person be identified with its natural environment, with its own history and that of his country, as well as the enormous cultural diversity of our world. It must also oppose to any form of social injustice, to have a critical attitude towards the ways of selfish and destructive thinking.

Although it sounds a bit complicated, all this can be summed up in be a tolerant person, caring and respectful. Love those around you and respect nature, and repudiate any form of corruption, no matter how small it may be. Babylon is present in any form of corruption and many people are harmed by daily acts of corruption and violence by unscrupulous people.

Everything can be done without falling into political or religious extremism, simply flee ignorance and enjoy the good vibrates of this beautiful world. The Rasta not judge people by their appearance, political orientation, religion or skin color.

You can be Rasta with or without dreadlocks (although it is a very attractive hairstyle and give eager to have it), not necessarily you should smoke marihuana, only if you feel a fullness of spirit and do not compromise or appear to. We recommend listening to Reggae Roots music. Groups like Cultura Profética (Puerto Rico), Steel Pulse, Los Cafres, as well as many other bands that offer songs with lyrics with great content of social and political criticism, you may be helping to raise awareness and begin to see the world through the Rasta eyes.

We hope that this information will be useful. We will be happy to clarify any questions.

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