Generally, religion is believed to be beliefs, cultural trends and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. Religions also have ways of behavior, clergy, scriptures and holy places. According to Dictionay.com religion is "a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a super human agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs." This paper however will narrow down to one religion, Rastafarianism. We will look at the history of Rastafarianism, its beliefs and practices and finally conclude.
History of Rastafarianism.
The movement of the Rastafarians is one that many people seem to be confused about, that is, in as far as it being a religion or not. Some people live with the idea that the Rastafari movement is more of a liberation party or freedom fight movement than a religion and is more influenced by reggae music. However, the Rastafari movement is said to be a new movement in religion developed in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1920s and 30s.2 The message that was brought forth to the people is of black pride, freedom from oppression and the hope of return to the African homeland because they were in great poverty, depression, racism and class discrimination and so they gladly received the message. "The Rastafarian movement began with the teachings Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), a black Jamaican who led a "Back to Africa" movement. He taught that Africans are the true Israelites and have been exiled to Jamaica and other parts of the world as divine punishment."3 Garvey basically intended to bring about a feeling superiority among the black people and that they should be proud of who they are. In 1930, November 2nd, Tafari Makonnen was crowned emperor of Ethiopia and took up the name Haile Selassie which means power of the Trinity.
