Rastafarianism is a religious-cultural movement that began in the 1930’2 in Jamaica. Rastafarians believe that Halie Selassie. Also named Rais Tafari, the last emperor of Ethiopia is the Messiah. Rastafari developed in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica in the 1920s and 30s, in an environment of great poverty, depression, and racism and class discrimination. The Rasta message of black pride, freedom from oppression and the hope to return to the African homeland was gratefully received. Rastafarians believe in the Judeo- Christian God, whom they call “Jah”. Generally, Rastafarian beliefs are based in Judaism and Christianity with an emphasis on the Old Testament Laws and prophecies and the Book of Revelation. Rastas believed that Jah was manifested on earth as Jesus, who Rastas believe was black. Rastafarians are perhaps best known for their religious use of marijuana. Rasta’s know it as “ganja”, “the holy herb”,”lley” or “callie” and they believe it was sent from God. Scriptural support is found especially in Psalm 104:14: "He causeth the grass for the cattle and herb for the service of man." Other texts interpreted to refer to cannabis include Genesis 3:18, Exodus 10:12, and Proverbs 15:17. In addition to ritual use, Rastas also use marijuana for medicinal purposes, applying it to a variety of ailments including colds.
Today, the Rasta movement has been very successful in the Caribbean. It is said that six out of ten Jamaicans are believed to be Rastafarians or Rastafarian sympathizers. It also spread quickly in Barbados and was hugely attractive to the local black youth, many of whom saw it as an extension of their adolescent rebellion from school and parental authority. The period of the most phenomenal growth for the Rastafarian Movement has been from 1975 on. As of 1988 the total following was believed to be around 700,000 worldwide, obviously it would be more now.
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