s Babylon, Rastas want to remind blacks of their heritage.Heaven on earth, in Rastafarian belief, is in Africa and especially Ethiopia. Theres noafterlife. A black Exodus to Ethiopia will occur in the future. This Exodus will begin after asignal from Jah. This means that Rastafarians are very focused on any news from Ethiopia. As aresult, Jamaican blacks have looked more deeply into their African heritage. Red, gold, green, and black are Rastafarian colors. Red stands for Church Triumphant,which is the Church of the Rastas. It also stands for the blood of martyred Rastas. Goldrepresents the wealth of the homeland. Green symbolizes the beauty and vegetation of theEthiopia, the promised land. Black is used to represent the African people. He causeth the grass for cattle and the herb for the service of man, Psalm 104:14. Rastas use this scripture and others as the basis for their use of ganja. Regarded aswisdomweed, Rasta leaders urge that ganja be smoked by followers as a religious rite and aidto meditation. A potent strain of ganja or marijuana grows in abundance on Jamaica. It growswild, providing a good supply for Rastas spiritual and medicinal purposes.Rastas eat I-tal food. I-tal food is chemical free and not canned. Though cooked, thisfood is served without salts, preservatives, or condiments. Rastas are vegetarians. Drinks can beanything thats herbal such as tea. Liquor, milk, coffee and soft drinks are considered unnatural. I-tal food has gained a growing popularity among Jamaicans in general.Using Levitius 21:5, They shall not make baldness upon their head, Rastas outlawed thecombing or cutting of hair. Their nappy tresses were allowed to mat and twine themselves intoropy dread locks. This hair style was called dread locks to mock the non-believers aversionto their appearance. The way the hair grows has come to represent rebellion against the systemand the proper way to wear hair.Basically, Rastafarians have...
