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On the second of November 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. He is believed to be a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Selassie assumed the titles of King of Kings, Lord of Lords and the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. To some this was a fulfillment of the Biblical prophecy of a black king that had been emphasized by Marcus Garvey.

Preachers such as Robert Hinds, Joseph Hibbert and Archibald Dunkley achieved prominence, but to many scholars the most important figure in early Rastafarianism was Leonard Howell.  He was a former member of Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association. Howell attracted a large following after returning from extensive travels to Jamaica in 1932 .He outlined the  movement’s principles with the publication of “The Promise Key” circa 1935(still available)

ARVE

In the late 1940s, a radical version of Rastafarianism, known as the Youth Black Faith, emerged from the poor people in the Jamaican capital Kingston. They were the precursor to the existing Nyahbinghi Mansion, or branch. The Youth Black Faith became known for an aggressive stance against authorities. Additionally, they introduced some of the features that became widely associated with Rastafarians, including the growing of hair into dreadlocks and the group’s unique dialect.

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Over decades, additional branches of Rastafarianism gained devoted followers. In 1958, Prince Emanuel Charles Edwards created the Ethiopian International Congress, also known as Bobo Ashanti. They desired a separation from society and strict gender and dietary laws. In 1968, the Twelve Tribes of ISRAEL was founded by Vernon Carrington, aka the Prophet Gad, who advocated the daily reading of the Bible and emphasized the group’s lineage.

While Rastafarian practices spread with the migration of Jamaicans to England, Canada and the United States from the 1950s into the 1970s, its worldwide growth was aided by the influence of adherents on popular music. An early contributor in this field was Count Ossie, who began drumming at Nyahbinghi spiritual sessions and helped develop the style that became known as ska.

THE HERB

Apparently found on king Solomon grave.

The Rasta’s use of  The herb (ganja ) stems back to the beginning of Rastafari in Jamaica. In 1941 one of the early teachers of Rastafari, Leonard P. Howell, set up a Rasta community of sixteen hundred Rasta’s this community was named Pinnacle. At Pinnacle Howell grew  the herb as a cash crop. During this time the Rasta’s discovered the spiritual properties of the herb which helped their reasoning process. The Rasta soon turned to the Bible and found reverence to the use of this holy plant. From this use of the herb  was born into the Rastafari culture. ( its actually supposed to be eaten fresh to benifit the body) Fresh for the body Dry for the mind/spirit

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DREADLOCKS. The hair is the locks the person is the DREAD

Dreadlocks another well-known part of Rastafari. The origin of the dreadlock traces back to ancient Africa it is believed to originate in eastern Africa,

“The hairstyle was worn by warriors in Kenya, and was a Hairstyle of ancient Kemet and Nubia.  

Those Rasta’s also believed that they should not put sharp metal objects to their head. This comes again from interpreting the Bible literally.  Due to this belief they did not believe it was right to shave or comb their hair. Another belief that led to the dreadlocks among Rasta’s is that the wearing of the Dread resembles the main of a lion. The lion is significant because the lion is the respected king of the animal kingdom, as well as humble animal. Both of these traits the Rasta believes are divine and important . Haile Selassie I also was called “the conquering Lion of the Tribe of Juda”, this makes the wearing of the dread connected to the Rasta king. The dreadlock is also the most natural state of the African person hair, and by being natural the Rasta feel they are more connected to YAH.

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The wearing of the dreadlocks first appeared in the Rasta community of Pinnacle. At Pinnacle Howell was growing the berb as a cash crop and the police where constantly raiding the farms. Because of this and other border problems at the Rasta community, Howell was forced to create a group of guards to protect the area. These guards grew their hair long in the form of ancient African warriors and became known as “locksmen”.

The COLOURS: This is no doctrine so there is no it must be this or that

RED

Generally agreed to represent the blood of the innocents often but not exclusively to those victims of the trans Atlantic slave trade, but includes blood of innocents any where

GOLD

The SUN which gives life to all on earth. Prosperity found in the ground, That which gives light and life to the world. Positivity.Onwards to a brighter future.

GREEN

NATURE::THE EARTH the begining the foundation NATURAL FOODS eat green foods:: HERBS for mind , body and spirit:: GROWTH the development of self

TERMINOLOGY –GREETINGS : Hello in the name of the spirit. – I an I : one with self , One to one with YAH .and Unity like minded people . GUIDANCE : from the most high to navigate through life.