| When I lived in San Diego, I was playing with a | | | | to the power structure of Europe and the |
| band called Ishmael and the Peacemakers. We | | | | Americas |
| were playing at gig at the World Beat Center in | | | | - Marijuana is used primarily during the two main |
| Balboa park. As was the norm, we waited | | | | Rastafari rituals: reasonings and nyabingi |
| backstage while the opening band played. | | | | - Dreadlocks have several purposes and layers of |
| I was sitting next to our bass player, Preston. | | | | meaning for Rastafarians, including the biblical |
| Preston was a very nice guy and always had a | | | | command not to cut one's hair (Leviticus 21:5) |
| lot of information about "life stuff". I remember | | | | - The most observant Rastas follow a dietary law |
| there was a huge portrait of an Egyptian or | | | | called Ital |
| Absynnian looking guy that I had been seeing for | | | | - Most Rastafarians are vegatarians or vegans |
| months now. Ever since I started playing reggae, | | | | - Rastafarians reject the use of alcohol, since it is |
| this guys mug was popping up everywhere. | | | | a fermented chemical that does not belong in the |
| "Hey Preston...Why do I see that guys face in | | | | temple of the body and it makes a person stupid |
| every place we play a show?" I asked him. He | | | | There are many others, but I think I got the key |
| then went on to explain who Haille Selassie was | | | | points. |
| and when someone says "Rasta", they actually | | | | Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of |
| mean this guy. His name was Ras Tafari, and he | | | | life than a religion, that's why you will often meet |
| was descendant of King Solomon of the Old | | | | people who love reggae so deeply they can be |
| Testament. | | | | dubbed "rasta-(insert name here)", and still be |
| Up until that point I had no idea that this was who | | | | respected by all those who love reggae music and |
| Bob Marley was referring to, and that | | | | culture. |
| Rastafarians worship him. | | | | I know hundreds of Ras-Benjamins and Ras |
| The key beliefs of rastafarians are: | | | | Ralphs and Ras Tony's and Ras-Cornelius....you |
| - Selassie is worshipped as divine | | | | name it. |
| - Rastafarians also honor Old Testament prophets | | | | I am not Rastafarian at all, however many of you |
| like Moses and Elijah | | | | do know me as... |
| - Another central concept is Babylon, which refers | | | | |