Title

Page

Acknowledgement.

Introduction

Statement of Aims.

Collection of Data and Instruments Used

Chapter One
Summary of Findings...

Dreadlocks

Marijuana..

Colours.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Information Collected

10-11

Conclusion....

12

Appendix 13-22
Bibliography..

23

I would first like to thank God for giving me the strength to complete this School Based Assessment. I would
first like to thank my teacher who was not just a source of information but also inspiration. My mother for her
invaluable financial and moral support, for those I have not mentioned for your contribution, thank you.

The aspect of Rastafari that the researcher will be looking at is its symbolisms. The symbolisms that the
researcher will be focusing on are the dreadlocks, the colours and marijuana.

This study will enable the researcher to:

1)

Describe three symbolisms in Rastafari.

2)

Examine the significance of the symbolism to Rastafararians.

3)

Analyze and interpret the data presented in the study.

On the 29th of September 2011 at about 3:00 pm, the researcher went to the Clarendon Parish
Library to get information on three symbolisms in Rastafari via the internet which the researcher stored on a
flash drive.
On the 3rd of October 2011 at about 2:30 pm, the researcher gave out 12 questionnaires to the Rastafararians in
the community of Bushy Park.
On the 5th of October 2011, the researcher collected back the questionnaires at about 4:35 pm, from which the
researcher gathered additional information on the study.
On the 10th of October 2011 at about 10:00 am, the researcher went to an Internet Caf to get pictures and
additional information about the symbolism which the researcher then stored on a flash drive.
On the 15th of December 2011 at about 9:00 pm, the researcher typed the information he had collected on a
computer and then printed it at about 10:00 pm.

Is a hairstyle worn by the members of Rastafari, in which they grow their hair without brushing or
combing it. Rastafararians grow their hair into dreadlocks because it is apart of the Nazarite Vow. All
Rastafarians take this Vow and claim it is commanded by the Bible (Reference: Numbers 6:5,"All
the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head; until the days be
fulfilled, in the which he spareth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the
hair of his head grow.) (Reference: Leviticus 2:15, They shall not make baldness upon their head,
neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in the flesh.) Christ and
the great leaders like Samson and the prophets of all ancient Israel were all locksmen. Like Samson,
their hair is their strength and also weakness if cut off. The dreadlocks are defined as high tension
waves which transmit divine energy and inspiration from Jah. Selassie also had a beard and locks
and the Rastas imagine themselves as closely resembling their emperor as possible. The dreadlocks
stand in contrast to the straight blonde look of the white man who has always oppressed them from
the time of Babylon and who originally referred to the style as dreadful.
7

Ganja is considered the wisdom weed by the Rastafarians as its use helps one to gain wisdom.
Rastafarians use it as apart of a religious rite of getting closer to their inner spiritual self, creation
and attaining communion with Jah. Ganja is seen by Rastafarians as the herb of life mentioned in the
Bible, and its use is justified by the following verse: Psalms 104:14 that says, He causeth the grass
to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man. The smoking of ganja is apart of a religious
rite where there is large gathering of Rastafarians, a Chalice, a large smoking pipe is passed around
and smoked. True Rastafarians do not smoke cigarettes as it is seen as unnatural.

The Rastafarian colours of red, green, gold and sometimes including black are very commonly
seen on Rastafarian flags ,badges etc. The red, gold and green are the colours of the Ethiopian
flag and the colours represent the loyalty Rastafarians feel towards the Ethiopian state. The red,
black and green were the colours used to represent Africa by the Marcus Garvey movement. Red
stands for the Rastafarian churchs triumphant and the blood shed by the martyrs of the faith. The
green represents the beauty and vegetation of the promised, Ethiopia. The gold represents the
wealth of the homeland that shall be regained and black represents the people of Africa and the
strength and endurance of black people to overcome hardship.

The wearing of dreadlocks by Rastafarians is a representation of their strength and it helps them
to identify themselves and their spirituality. It is worn to separate themselves from the white-man
who has always kept them in oppression and it shows their natural ways of living. Some wear it
openly while some do not as they feel that dreadlocks does not make you a true Rastafarian. For
those who believe it is necessary, dreadlocks are worn out of loyalty to the faith and some
Rastafarians believe that The Rasta without dreadlocks is a bald head and he cannot be taken
seriously because he does not display his commitment to the faith. Rastafarians believe that
when you lock your hair you are obeying the will of God and in the Bible it says All the days of
the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head; until the days be fulfilled, in
the which he spareth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of
his head grow. On the foundations of biblical commandments, Rastafarians grow their long
unaltered dreadlocks as a symbol of blackness, dignity and honour. Out of the twelve
questionnaires issued seventy-five percent agree that by having dreadlocks you are considered a
Rastafarian and fifty-nine percent agree that it is the most important symbolism. Rastafararians
10

growing locks is similar to Judaism, as in the Old Testament, the scriptures say the holy man is
instructed not to alter his hair. The dreadlocks are a devotion to the holy ways of living and thus
a symbol that the longer the locks the holier the Rastafarian.
Ganja is considered the wisdom weed by Rastafarians. It is very important to the faith as it
helps Rastafarians to get closer with Jah (God), their inner spiritual self and creation. It is a
protest against society as it was by the movement to show its freedom from the laws of Babylon.
The use of ganja by Rastafarians is similar to its use in Hinduism, as the Hindus use it in worship
of their God Shiva, and the holy men use it to enhance their religious experience. Ganja is very
important to Rastafarians as it helps them to contact Jah (God) and from the questionnaires
issued, eighty-three percent want it to be legalized as it is outlawed in most countries and Rastas
want it to be legalized as they utilize it in their religious practices and it helps them to
communicate with Jah (God) and seventy-three percent agree to this from the questionnaire.
The colours are important to the faith as each colour has its own meanings. Red symbolizes
beauty and vegetation, gold symbolizes the wealth of Ethiopia and black symbolizes the people
of Africa. Out of the questionnaires issued forty-one percent agree that the colours are more
important than dreadlocks because all the colours symbolize what black people had to overcome
and the bright future ahead of them. The uses of colours as a symbolism are important as the
colours represent important meanings in a faith for example in Christianity the colour yellow
means the brightness of Christ.
The wearing of dreadlocks has impacted the wider society in that persons are starting to gravitate
towards the style whether they are Rastafarians or not. It has become a fashion trend rather than a
spiritual pursuit as seen by Rastafarians. There has been a widespread use of ganja in the world,
mostly by persons who are not Rastafarians even though it has been deemed illegal in most
countries. The Rastafarian colours can be seen on almost anything clothes, shoes, and other

11

items. Most African countries have adopted the colours on their flag since Haile Selassie helped
to fight for their liberation.

Each of the symbolism researched is important since they each have their own unique meanings
and values to the followers. The dreadlocks are important to Rastafarians as it is a means of
separating them from their oppressors and symbolizes their way of natural living.
Marijuana is important to Rastafarians as it is a means of communicating with Jah (God) and a
means of acquiring wisdom.
The colours each have their own meanings and are very important to the Rastafarians as it
represents the people of Africa, the beauty of Ethiopia, the wealth of Ethiopia and the blood
shed by the martyrs of the faith.
The aspect of symbolism is important to all religions as it helps them to differentiate themselves
from the others.

12

13

Marijuana Plant

14

Rastafarian smoking marijuana

15

Rastafarian with thick unkempt dreadlocks

16

Rastafarian colours

17

Rastafarian Flag showing colours

18

Rastafarian smoking marijuana

19

Spliff made from the marijuana plant

Questionnaire
Persons participating in this questionnaire should be truthful in answering the questions below. You and your
answers will be kept confidential. Tick the answers below.
1) Gender
Male [ ]

Female [ ]

2) Do you think marijuana should be legalized?

Yes [ ]
No [ ]
3) Do you use marijuana as a means of communicating with Jah?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Sometimes [ ]
4) Do you use marijuana more as a recreational drug than for religious purposes?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
Sometimes [ ]
5) What symbolism is more important to you?
Dreadlocks [ ]
Marijuana [ ]
Colours [ ]
6) Do you smoke marijuana?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
7) Do you have to wear dreadlocks to be considered a Rastafarian?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
8) Do you think that symbolisms are important to Rastafari?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
9) Do you think that the colours have a significant role in the faith?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]

20

Results of the Questionnaire

Gender

33%
Male
Female
67%

21

22

Websites
http:www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/Rastafarianism.html
http:www.jamaicanrastafarianlove.com
http:www.providence.edu/polisci/students/rasta/symbols.html
23

http:www.EDRO-UVA.ORG
http:www.jamaicans.com/culture/index.html
http:www.earthcultureroots.com/rastafarism.html
Books
Keene, Michael. Rastafarianism New Steps in Religious Education for the Caribbean pg 87-89.Google
Books.
Staubil, Thomas, Silvia Schroer, and Linda Maloney. Rastafarianism Body Symbolism in the Bible. Google
Books pg 102.
Wilson, Amber. Rastafari. Jamaica the Culture. Google Books. pg 10-12.

Gallagher, Eugene. Rastafarianism Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America. Google
Books. pg 109-114

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