Being familiar with a culture's customs is often useful in understanding what that culture is all about...
In Rastafarianism, it is customary to have weekly meetings, often in a home or community hub (BBC, 2014b). Such meetings are often referred to as “reasoning sessions”, and provide time to worship Jah, their God (English Online, n.d.) through chants, prayers, and singing. This is also a time in which issues in the community are discussed (BBC, 2014b). |
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Another very important aspect of these meetings is meditation (BBC, 2014b). Many people associate marijuana with the Rastafarian people, which is because in order to meditate, and become closer as a community, it is traditional for the people in this society to smoke marijuana (BBC, 2014b), or cannabis as it may be called by some Rastafarians (English Online, n.d.). Although many do smoke marijuana, it is noted that this is not a required practice in the religion (Kranzila, 2012). It is believed that this practice allows a person to become closer with the earth, people around them, and to see things through a religious and calming light (BBC, 2014b), and also that— despite many western habits while smoking the plant— silly behavior while smoking is viewed as disrespectful, and irresponsible (Dubb, 2012). It is said that the use of the “holy herb” (another name often given to the weed) first came about as a reaction to the way that blacks were being treated in society, becoming a way to “enable freedom from the establishment” (Barrett, 1977, p. 129). Because of certain biblical passages, such as Psalm 104:14, and Exodus 10:12 which state that herbs of the land are for man, Rastafarian people feel that it is indeed a holy herb, and that the use of this weed is sacred (BBC, 2014b).
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One very recognizable Rastafarian custom is the choice to put dread locks in the hair. This practice is due to scripture in Leviticus that directs against being bald, cutting hair, beards, or skin (Jamaican Traditions, 2009). |
The food regulations are a part of the customs of the Rastafarian people that many outsiders are not familiar with. In being Rastafarian, there are certain types of foods that are not consumed, as well as different ways of preparing food that are acceptable or not. The diet observed by the Rastafarian people is “Ital,” which means pure, natural, and/or clean ("Rastafari," n.d.). In essence, this diet frowns upon anything that is considered bad for you or unnatural, such as tobacco, meat, alcohol, shellfish, sometimes salt (especially processed salt), and many other harmful, or unnatural products ("Rastafari," n.d.). Oftentimes, the oil of choice is coconut oil, and herbal teas are often the preferred drink, because these are products of the earth ("Rastafari," n.d.). In addition, they are a big fan of raw foods (BBC, 2014b; "Rastafari," n.d.).
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