‘Our Movement is not Rastafarianism but Rastafarination’ says priest – Pt1
FOR YEARS the Rastafarian community has been placed under the spotlight, as their way of life continues to intrigue and open up a jar of questions.
It is almost as though something new comes to light each day and a consistent clearing up of misconceptions is necessary.
Family & Religion caught up with a priest of the Rastafarian community recently, who openly shared his life, beliefs and what he deems to be only the truth.
Priest Ras T says he has been a Rastafarian from birth, but he came into this consciousness after he left the army.
“I did 10 years in the army and then came to Manchester, and I said it was time for me to seat up in myself. Even while I was in the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) I was called a Rasta because of how I conducted myself. Being Rastafarian is black consciousness. It’s Ethiopic in foundation and it is not Rastafarianism, but instead Rastafarination.”
“I started going to the Nyabinghi church and I started growing my locks, because you know you have to groom your hair when you are in the army. I refrained from eating all flesh foods and I began walking in ‘order’.”
Ras T who says he speaks Amharic and Geez, the official languages of Ethiopia, and acknowledges that it is crucial for all as African descendants to embrace it.
“Us Rastafarians ... it’s a priesthood and if you should check the book of Numbers you will see, it is the same kind of priesthood that is coming down to now.”
However, he said not everyone who considers themselves a Rastafarian is true to the order.
“As a Rastafarian you have to acknowledge the divinity of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie, the fact that he is coming from the lineage of David.”
And key to note are their celebrations. “We have special times of the year when we celebrate, for example, his (Haile Selassie) birthday. We have seven days of Nyabinghi chanting: we light a fire, and the fire is lit with the seven Psalms of David by seven different priests and at least three priestesses.”
With much talk of how women are looked upon by the traditional groups, Ras T said women are recognised for more than their domestic abilities and treated very queenly.
“We don’t have women play the drums because it’s not ladylike to have the women open their legs around the drum and we require that their hair is covered when they are in public – it’s very biblical – it is a Jewish tradition. While they are menstruating, they don’t come to church and we don’t look on them as being unclean. We acknowledge that this is their time off. So it is at home: it is their time of rest, so the men cook and take care of the house.”
Next week we share with you the thoughts of the community on polygamy.