REGGAE ANTHOLOGHY

Haile Selassie
Haile Selassie

Haile Selassie means “Power of the Trinity”. He was crowned King of Ethiopia on November 2, 1930, where is name changed from Tafari Makonnen to Ras Tafari, which means “Head Creator”. He was regarded as the living God of the black race. Ironically he was not a Rastafarian, because he was a devoted Christian. The lion of Judah represents Haile Selassie and he wore a Lion of Judah ring that was given to Bob Marley at the time of his death. He is said to be a direct descendant of King Solomon.

Beliefs & Rituals
Rastafarian Flag
The defining colors of the religion are Red, Gold, and Green, which were taken from the Marcus Garvey movement. Red symbolizes the blood that the martyrs have shed in the history of the Rastas. Yellow represents the wealth of the homeland. Green represents the beauty and vegetation of Ethiopia, the Promised Land. Black is often used to represent the color of Africans, to whom 90% of Jamaicans have descended. Although not all Rastas smoke marijuana, it is seen as a spiritual and used when they give praises. Often referred to as “Holy herb” or “Weed of wisdom” and said to have been found on King Solomon’s grave. Unique among Rastas are:
  1. Rastas are strict vegetarians only eating from the earth (no meat).
  2. They use no preservatives and seasoning is limited to only natural ones.
  3. The dreadlocks symbolize their roots and their Nazarene vow.
  4. This is substantiated by the Bible in Numbers 6:6 and Leviticus 21:5.
  5. Over the years they have grown in numbers and not all who wear the locks are in fact Rastas.

Peter Tosh
Peter Tosh

September 11th is the day of Evil Repute that is constantly on the minds of Americans and people around the world, great catastrophe with the collapsing of the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) they mourn the lost lives of about 3000 people. In Jamaica that date is also as significant with the damage done by Hurricane Ivan and the heartrending demise of the Legendary Musical Icon Peter Tosh, he was assassinated by unknown assailants at his home in Kingston Jamaica on 9/11 in 1987. This was the same year he won the Grammy Award for his album “No Nuclear War”.
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