Rastafarianism

1. Rastafarianism By Josh Baker & Sam Gill

2. Attitudes to medicine and health care • Jamaicans use a mix of traditional and biomedical healing practices. The degree of use of traditional means, including spiritual healing, is inversely related to class status. Among the African Jamaicans, illness is believed to be caused by spiritual forces or violation of cultural taboos. Consequently, most illnesses are treated holistically. When traditional means fail, modern medicine is tried. Read more: Culture of Jamaica - history, people, clothing, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, socialhttp://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Jamaica.html#ixzz1lJLQLty8

3. Attitude to gender • Women are known as Queens • The main role of women is to look after their King • Women are regarded as subordinate to men • Women are regarded as housekeepers and child bearers • Women must not commit infidelity • Women are not called to Rastafari except through their husbands • Women cannot be leaders • Men are the spiritual head of the family • Women must not cook for their husbands when menstruating • Women must not wear makeup, dress in promiscuous clothing, or use chemicals in their hair • Women must not use birth control, as it is regarded as a European tactic to suppress the development of the African population. This builds on the Old Testament prophecy that 'The seeds of Israel shall be numberless' • Women must also abstain from abortion which is regarded as murder • Women must cover their hair to pray, in keeping with the Biblical teaching in 1 Corinthians 11:5: "And any woman who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with nothing on her head disgraces her husband..."

4. Dress • Rastafarian clothing uses the bright colors inspired by the Ethiopian flag. These colors are red, green and gold. The distinctive hat worn over a Rastafarian's dreadlocks is known as a tam. Rastafarian clothing is made from natural fibers. • An orthodox Rasta will wear their hair in long flowing locks known as dreadlocks. • To cut it is viewed as sinful. The dreadlocks symbolise the values of: • respect • power • freedom • and defiance. • Rasta's cover their hair at all times. Rasta women keep their legs covered. Some Rasta's will proudly wear the Star of David.

5. Language • English (official), Creole. English is the official language of Jamaica. However, Patois (Creole), a combination of English and some African languages, is spoken in rural areas and is used increasingly in urban areas. Most Jamaicans can speak or understand Patois, but it is not a written language. Jamaican speech, even in English, has a distinctive rhythmic and melodic quality • ‘Whaapm’ – means whats happening with you? • ‘Suh whaapm breddrin’ – so whats happening brother? • ‘Wha gwaan?’ – whats going on? • ‘Wha gwaan sah?’ – whats going on sir? • ‘rispek’ – respect • ‘Wha yuh ah deal wid?’ – whats going on with you?

6. Dietary requirement • They eat fruits, vegetable, ground food, and certain meat. • All forms of pig meat are forbidden and some fish. Some Rastafarians are completely vegetarian. • they don't eat pork or shellfish. In fact, anything in the ocean without scales, they don't eat. • The food is healthier and better for you because it doesn't have as many chemicals in it, and foods with potential health issues (such as improperly cooked pork) are eliminated from the diet.