White Rastafarians?
By Nick Poole
When you think about the word “Rastafarian”, you probably imagine a Jamaican man with dark skin and dreadlocks… as a matter of fact, you probably think about Bob Marley. This wouldn’t be an inappropriate association, after-all, Bob Marley is probably the most internationally recognized practitioner of Rastafari. However, not all rastas these days are from Jamaica, and there is even a small but growing population of Caucasian practitioners. No, I’m not talking about teenaged skateboarders who smoke marijuana and listen to reggae music, I’m talking about real, deeply religious, white rastas. Now, depending on how much you know about Rastafari, you’re either wondering, “How does a White person join the Rasta faith?” or you’re wondering, “What’s the big deal?”. I think it may be wise to first address the latter.
Let’s start with a little history of the religion. Rastafari is a relatively new religion, which finds it’s beginnings in the early 1930s, surrounding the coronation of Haile Selassie I as the Emperor of Ethiopia. The word “Rastafari” actually comes from his pre-coronation name: Tafari Makonnen (“Ras” is an Ethiopian title, literally translated to “head”, but more precisely equated to “Duke”). Rastafari began when it was suggested that the coronation of Haile Selassie I as the Emperor of the only fully independent African State fulfilled Biblical prophecy. People of the Rastafari Faith believe that Haile Selassie I is God incarnate, and refer to him as HIM or His Imperial Majesty. The faith is deeply Afro centric, and maintains that Ethiopia is “Zion”. For a short period of time near it’s origin, the faith was not only afro centric, but Black supremacist. This notion of racism towards whites didn’t last very long, as Haile Selassie himself publicly condemned racism. Rastafari is also well known for the practice of smoking Ganja as the sacrament. Which drives many people to wonder, are white rastas real people of faith, or are they just in it for the marijuana?
Well, there’s no question that many people are attracted to the prospect of a religion where marijuana use is not only accepted but widely encouraged. However, A person can’t just dreadlock their hair, smoke ganja, and call themselves a Rasta. Rastafari is a real faith which is earning respect in the theological world as a religion that pulls a lot of weight. It was a beacon of Hope to the poor population of Jamaica in the 1930s and has continued to minister to the under-privileged today. It teaches solid values such as Positivity, Faith, Meditation, and “overstanding”, the Rasta word for understanding which was changed to have a more positive connotation. It warns against the potential danger of corrupt “Babylon” society, and has been instrumental in driving political change. It’s been just as influential in Jamaica as Christianity, and thanks to the Rasta influenced Reggae music of Bob Marley and other popular artists, it’s increasing in global influence.
Rastafari sounds like a fine faith, why is it so strange that a white person would want to be part of it? Bottom line is that it’s not. It may seem strange from the outside, seeing as the majority of Rastas are black. Many people would also argue that because it is an afro centric religion, white people have no place in it. Well, according to that logic, all Christians should be middle-eastern. The truth of the matter is that, in theory, even a White man could preach Afro centrism. While most white men weren’t physically “taken” from Africa, and forced into slavery, modern science fairly universally supports that all life started in Africa. Given the power of that statement, it isn’t hard to see how Africa found it’s place as the center of Rasta faith.
The question is though, In a faith which preaches the rejection of corrupt white culture, how are white patrons received? There seems to be conflict in the Rasta community. Many rastas are skeptical when they meet or hear of a white person who claims to be Rasta. They assume, naturally, that they came to Rasta through listening to reggae music, or worse, as a way of justifying their misuse of the sacrament. There also seems to be a fundamental distrust of white people, and historically for good reason. A true Rasta would say that all man is equal, and every body, white and black, came from Africa, so it is only natural that All people, regardless of race or color, turn to Rastafari for the “highest truth and overstanding”. However, the common sentiment among rastas is that whites cannot understand the “black struggle”, As they were never taken from their homeland and enslaved. But surely, anyone who really cares about the human race on the whole can appreciate the need to stop violent acts like this. After all, Rastafari itself teaches that all people are one with God, Or “Jah” as they say (Derived from jahweh of the old testament).
In modern Rastafari, especially more contemporary sects such as the Twelve Tribes, White rastas are welcomed. Anyone who believes that there needs to be a fundamental change in the way society treats the “down-pressed” and in the way man views and interacts with one another is encouraged to join the faith. Real rastas are peaceful people who overstand the need for equality in the world, and so they extend that principle even to the faith itself, All men are equal in Rastafari. Some Jamaican rastas are even excited to meet white rastas, as they bring a new point of view to the reasoning sessions, and also because they stand as a symbol of whites acknowledging the wrongs of their ancestors and rejecting “Babylon”.
All in all, white Rastafarians are out there, and they’re no less devoted to Rasta than the first Rastas of Jamaica. So next time you ask a white man his religion, and he tells you he is Rasta, don’t laugh, It may not be a joke.
http://www.jamaica-travel-vacation.com/white-rastafarians.html
As a Black African I remain skeptical.
We can name struggles/movements where Afrikans have been infiltrated by liberal white do-gooders or worse: even funded.
Whoever funds your act controls the theme. Period.
Its very cool and hip to play Rastafarian/Black Muslim/Panther etc……
My instincts refuse to resolve the conflicts arising from a “white rasta” phenomenon.
The parallel drawn above that “christianity” should have remained an “eastern” religion (if rasta insists on Afro-centrist views) completely sidesteps the issue that christianity as brought to Afrika (and kidnapped Afrikans to the diaspora) was/is a tool to mash us Black People up.
It is such differences in views btw white rasta wannabes and Afrikans that will dissipate/confuse the struggle. It has happened before.
This is not to say that I totally reject well-meaning caucasians:
a)They should lobby their governments on reparations for Afrika(ns)
b) Lobby their leaders to open up markets and quit subsidising their farmers (who then dump their produce in Afrka and finish off farmers
c) lobby their governments to make it illegal for thieving Afrikan leaders to bank/launder/invest in Babylon “safe havens” -this is impoverishing the motherland
d) lobby their governments to stop allowing/encouraging their multinationals to corrupt Afrikan” leaders”/corrrupt our voting systems etc to entrench themselves..eg Gabon/French
The above is just a start.
Its not just about smoking chalice and “meditating” on sweet reggae.
Peace be with you brethren. First question is this, what is the difference between a black and a white Rasta. Second is have you or have you ever met any of your ancestors who have been enslaved. And thirdly why are you still using a persons skin color as a scapegoat. And why use “whites” as a pawn in government. We await for Selassie I to abolish these evil governments and begin His Kingdom over the whole Earth. And do you not know there were many “black” slave owners as well, some of whom sold their own brethren to “whites”. If you would just read your Bible you would overstand why all of these things happened in the past. I would wish to know further your knowledge and disposition on the subject because you seem to be contradicting His Imperial Majesty’s teaching. Please contact me via email at jekirkii@yahoo.com. Shalom and may Yahweh, Jesus Christ, and Jah Ras Tafari Bless You Forever.
I’m a white rasta and there are many reasons:
i believe in peace and good humanity in all people
i believe the more political your thoughts are, the more corrupt you are
i admit most white society is Babylon, but only Jah can judge people
we need to end racism on both sides and realize the color of our skin means nothing and trust in the Father of Creation
our roots are all from Africa
As it was in the beginning it shall be in the end
STAY IRIE
But peace & justice will not just happen!
Heaven in the sky is just a fantasy as life is SO MUCH WORTH THAN THAT. Right?
A political (the way society is governed) change has to take place for the evil idea of racism to be dustbinned forever:
“Until the colour of a Man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes….”
Surely you are not suggesting that Rastas should just fade into the countryside and live like hermits or in closed communities in order for things to right themselves?
I agree that politics can get dirty but it is everywhere. We have to deal with it.
This is why I suggested (above) that white people who really care for a fairer world system can lobby their governments as voters/opinion setters etc to stop the relentless resource flow from south to north within blatantly unfair architectures (World Bank/IMF/WTO etc)
Because everytime Black people say these things we are branded commies, disgruntled nuts, trouble-makers, simple-minded (imagine that) and other such carefully crafted nonsense just to dissipate a quest for TRUTH, JUSTICE,RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We are not ignorant. They surely dont think we believe their glib sophisticated arguments for the continued mashing of I and I?
Ps. Racism has also made white people miss out on their right to humanity. To be at peace with the Creation and hence the massive depression in amongst “materially rich” westerners. Its all crazy really.
This babylon the bandit thing.
Peace
I’m not saying Rastas should live in secret, I am just saying we should not let politics consume our lives.. Lobbying the government will do nothing because Western society is so deeply intrenched in material possessions, they do not comprehend our message of peace. Money is what matters to them. I believe Rastas should practice civil disobedience to the corrupt and unjust laws of society and live naturally and freely. As I stated before, only Jah can judge our actions. We need to stand up for our beliefs and show others the way. As long as money matters more than life, society will be stuck. What we really need is a world wide Social Revolution.
I would say it is quite simple.
Judge Not, before you judge yourself.
And only One can judge, and that is Jah Rastafari
I have white-ish- yellow skin, but I do not know what color I am. I do know that the most direct ancestors that can be traced in my lineage come from Ireland.
But, so you know, Rastaman Jah Rateng Skabelli , I will never give up I crown!
I will not say your wrong, cause I am not here to judge man, that is only for the Most High, but I will tell you that I will never give up I throne!
A crown passed on to all Jah children through the great King Solomon, through the lineage of King David.
I am what I am!
So as you both argue/reason about who can be and can’t be a Rastaman, I suppose it really does not matter, as the book of wisdom says, “What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun.” “14
I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it”
Hence, only trust in Jah, no need to tell someone who they are or who they are not. Who they can be, and who they can’t be.
Only Jah Know!
I suppose this reasoning is somewhat parallel to the question, How old are you?
Well, first, that is what people ask 7 yr. old children. I am sorry, but live in reality. This person is not old.
Second, if people tell me I act like I am 13, but I look like I am 55, and really I came to this earth 30 years ago, in this physical form, How am I supposed to answer? How OLD am I?
That is I guess a question you have to let the questioner answer themselves. Just as, regardless of color, or eye color, or accent, or ……. you must allow them to make that decision about Rastafari. I could never call InI a Rastaman, the closest I could come would be to say I love JAH!
I’m a white dude of Eastern European descent. I don’t claim to be a Rastafarian but I feel a strong connection and identify myself with the Rastafarian movement a lot. And it’s not just reggae music itself. I read the lyrics I try to understand the meaning. I feel deeply for the Black people, I’m ashamed of the periods of our history where slavery and oppression was present. I rejected my religion as a teenager (40 yo now) because it was one of the tools used to enslave Africans and destroy American Indians. Christianity has always been a great source of evil IMHO.
I’ve been fascinated with Africa since childhood, long before it was proposed that humans originated in Africa. I always felt there was something special about African land and African People. I can’t explain this, but I don’t feel the same way about Europe, Asia or anything else. I just have the feel for it.
I rejected most of what our modern society has thrown at us. I hate the rat race and the pursuit of wealth and violence, I live simple life, I feel connected to nature and Mother Earth and hate what our civilization is doing to it. I don’t identify myself with any political movement and shone away from politics in general. Although I registered a Democrat so I could vote for Mr. Obama. I also believe in keeping one’s body clean and “unaltered”. So there is a lot here that aligns with the Rastafarian movement.
I feel there is some spiritual connection here. Perhaps not religious since I’m turned off by organized religion but definitely spiritually and philosophically I identify myself with the Rastafarians. Again, I won’t pretend to be a real Rastaman but I understand why a white person would want to become one.
But I often feel too intimidated to go to a reggae concert or wear any Rasta symbols because I’m white and I feel my presence may offend people. I don’t want to be considered a poser. Even though I know that Rastafarians preach equality regardless of the race, and I know it all comes from the hart.
Peace to all People!
Adam
Adam,
you should never be intimidated by what others think of you.
only yourself and Jah know of your true intentions.
All Rastas should stand together in this time of turmoil and hate.
Show humanity by our actions, not our words!
I can relate with many of the topics you commented on.
All I have to say is that we need to stay united as people under God, and not fall into the customs of modern society.
Rastafari is a not a religion, it is a way of life.
Stay true and be Irie