"Rastafari"


Despite so much of the Rastafarian tradition deriving its authority and inspiration from scripture, the name 'Rastafari' itself is not found in the Bible. Ras Tafari Makonnen was the personal name of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. The literal meaning of the words in the Amharic language is 'Awe-inspiring Prince'.



When Haile Selassie's coronation in November 1930 apparently fulfilled Marcus Garvey's prophecy of the crowning of a Black king in Africa, Selassie was hailed as the Redeemer of the Black African Diaspora. In the eyes of many adoring followers, this made him nothing less than a latter day Jesus Christ, and was similarly identified with the Almighty God, who consequently was called upon by his new name of 'Jah Rastafari'.

Followers and worshippers of Ras Tafari became known as Rastafarians, or Rastas for short. Rastas generally dislike the term 'Rastafarianism', since this carries negative connotations of divisive 'isms and schisms', and prefer instead simply the name 'Rastafari'. (On this website, I have tried to avoid ambiguity by referring to 'the Rastafarian tradition' or 'the Rastafarian movement'.)

There are several branches (usually called 'houses' or 'mansions') of Rastafari, including the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Bobo Dreads, and Nyabinghi Order.


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