y’s society. No other group of people has a more rich and vibrant history than that of the Rastafarian. Popularized throughout the Caribbean as Bob Marley, Sizzla,Buju Banton and others, Rastafari Culture has spread like wild fire into the hearts of the youth especially the poor and the lower class Africans throughout the diaspora. Why has this phenomena had such an impact on the minds of so many and why are they breaking away from so-called “traditional ways of life “ and adhering to something which mainstream society seems to disapprove? Rastafarians are an ethnic minority within the larger society their cultural traits, belief system, and ideology signify a subculture, thus the dominant group selectively isolates and denies them economic and political equity. Despite this Rastafarians have created for themselves an ethnic bonding which has helped to sustain them while they are residing in the west. The creation of this unique cosmology and its relationship to society will be the focus of this paper; Specifically the origins, history, language, cultural distinctions (i.e. food marijuana) and ethnic stratification of the Rastafari. Ital Food It is reasoned that the foods, which we eat, are the bearers of natural energies that are converted into physical forces and used by the material body in its daily functions. Many Rastafarians advocate the use of wholistic, non-processed foods of Mother Earth, which they call "ital", from the words "natural" and "vital".(Millard Faristaddi) Wholesome, earth born foods, fruits and juices are prepared in Ital ways or eaten raw for the most beneficial nourishment. Adherence to this "ltality' in one's diet is reasoned to be more helpful to the physical body and its natural functions than are the mass produced, mass marketed "supermarket" foods full of chemicals, additives, artificial flavoring and preservatives which...
