Understand rastafarian principles

BY FRANK KIMARO

To become a rastafarian, you must to commit to the principles of the rastafarians.

What are these principles?

• The belief and acknowledgment of Emperor Haile Selassie as the Supreme being and the only ruler of the rastaman thus according to ancient rastas but modern rasta they criticize  because Haille Selasie was a member of orthodox church that means he believed in Jesus.
• The belief that Marcus Garvey is the prophet of the movement who prophesied the coming of the messiah, Haile Selassie and the return of all blacks to the promise land...Ethiopia
• Dedicate yourself to Nazarite principle of allowing your "locks" to grow freely...understanding that there in lies your strength just like Samson the biblical Nazarite.
• Commit yourself to eating "clean." That means no pork, no red meat, no seafood...and in some cases, no meat at all...understanding that your body is the temple of Jah and you should treat it with respect.
• Commit to eating "ital..." meaning without salt. This is a symbol of purity but this is not applicable now days because of the nature we have.
• Smoke ganja, marijuana, weed, reefer...or whatever else you want to call it...and transcend the various levels of meditation upon Jah Rastafari.
• Love all mankind. Don't harbor hatred in your heart for anyone, and be at peace with yourself.

Do not curse, swear, or critcize people to harm them because the rastaman do not deal with "isms"and "schisms."

• Become one with nature. In other words, love life, love nature, and live off the fruit of the land.
• Respect the colors and understand what they mean. If someone ask you why you become a rastafarian, you should always have an intelligent answer...don't just do it because you see others doing it and you just want to follow.

Why? because becoming a rastafarian is not a Fad.

• Respect the garment because it is one of the symbols of your commitment to the movement
• Observe the biblical sabbath by refraining from all work and strenuous labor on that day

Can anyone become a rastafarian?
Yes! As long as you adhere to the principles given above. It doesn't matter if you are black or white.

Nor does it matter that the rasta movement began among black people, and originated in Africa. If you are willing to live up to the principles, then you are welcome into into foal.

Please understand that there are true rastafarians, who follow all the principles, and there are those who call themselves rastafarians, but do not follow all of the principles.

Wearing dreads alone does not make you a rastaman, you must commit from the heart! You must be willing to go above and beyond just the mere appearance of looking like a rastaman.

No condemnations here, but, if you are going to do it, you might as well go all the way.

If you choose not to commit completely, that's okay too. Rastafarians are loving people and they will not condemn you.

I know rastafarians who eat meat, and I know some that don't eat meat. I know some who eat with salt and some who don't eat with salt. I know some that don't wear the colors all the time and some who don't wear the colors...but one thing they all have in common is the dreads.

Would I call all of them 100% rastafarians? No, but I would not dare say that they are not rastafarians either.

Let every man be persuaded in his own mind.

To the truly committed being a rastafarian is a religion, to others it is a way of life.

Whether you choose to make it your religion or your way of life, you must ask yourself the question. How far are you willing to go because sometime it depends with the nature of your society,people surrounding you.

In Tanzania there is a general perspective that Rastafarians are hooligans thing which is not true because hooligans is someone habit, anybody can be a hooligan. I know 75% of rastamen are not hooligans but I believe more than 65% who are not rastamen are hooligans that is in my own perspective even though at your side you can judge vice versa according to your understand of who is a hooligan?

Society should stop judging wrongly people who have dread locks because sometimes it is the matter of loving and appreciate what God gave you.