'God is man and God is Black' - A spotlight on Rastafari
Rastafari first emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s, starting out as a dynamic religious movement, but followers tend to reject the use of the term 'religion' to describe it, preferring to refer to it as a way of life.
Rastafarianism rasta
Clement Manyathela speaks to Thau-Thau Haramanuba, President of the Rastafari United Front in South Africa.
Click below to listen to the full interview.
This coming July marks 132 years since the birth of Haile Selassie, former Emporer of Ethiopia and the man followers of Rastafari believe to be God, or 'Jah', manifested in human form.
Perhaps the most famous follower of Rastafari was the late Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley, but worldwide it's believed there are between 700 000 to a million followers.
Rastafari first emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s, starting out as a dynamic religious movement, but followers tend to reject the use of the term 'religion' to describe it, preferring to refer to it as a way of life.
Is Rastafari a religion?
"In our self-definition, we say it is a way of life. A way of life with a spiritual nucleus."
- Thau-Thau Haramanuba, President - Rastafari United Front in South Africa
What are the beliefs of those who follow Rastafari?
"Central to Rastafari is the personality of His Majesty Haile Selassie, so it is centered around the idea that God is man and God is Black."
Thau-Thau Haramanuba, President - Rastafari United Front in South Africa
"This is derived from ideas, philosophers like Marcus Garvey who would ask, where is the Black man's God?"
Thau-Thau Haramanuba, President - Rastafari United Front in South Africa
Where do followers of Rastafari gather?
"We have several centres of spiritual practice where we meet, we come together, we do our drumming and chanting. We also come together on special days, like the 21st of April is his majesty's visit to Jamaica in 1966."
Thau-Thau Haramanuba, President - Rastafari United Front in South Africa
What role does marijuana have in Rastafari?
"Marijuana is one of the articles of faith of Rastafari and it's viewed as a sacrament but we also use it as a medicine and within food."
Thau-Thau Haramanuba, President - Rastafari United Front in South Africa
"We have our peace pipe which we share among the group in order to bring our meditation to the same level."
Thau-Thau Haramanuba, President - Rastafari United Front in South Africa
ALSO READ: