RASTAFARIANISM NON-VIOLENCE AND SURVIVAL

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RASTAFARIANISM NON-VIOLENCE AND SURVIVAL
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Basic Principles

• Rastafarianism originated in Jamaica in the early
  20th century as a response to their oppression by
  Western nations.
• Wanted to defy Babylon- western culture
• Utilized non-violence as basic mechanism to defy
  Babylon

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Founding Principles of Sharers

• A peaceful, autonomous society
• Non-violence
• Symbiotic relationship with nature - lifestyle
  complements natural world.
• A way to rebel against the male aggressors in
  their past.

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NON-VIOLENCE RESISTANCE

• Reggae music primary way to beat down Babylon
• Dread talk a rejection of being cultured by
  European standards
• Dreadlocks a way to redefine beauty and promote
  pride in their African roots
• Adoption of Ethiopian colors

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REGGAE MUSIC

• Restores self-awareness and brings to light the
  African roots and identity.
• Teaches the people about the oppressive,
  deceptive, and divisive nature of the system
  under which they live.
• Reggae is the Rastafarian vehicle for
  political, cultureal, moral and religious
  purposes and protests.

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The Importance of Dreadlocks

• Dreadlocks are a way to repudiate Babylon and its
  artificiality .
• Origins in Levitical laws that forbid trimming
  and shaving.
• Shaking the dreadlocks is a way to release sacred
  power --mystic antenna to connect with God and
  his earthforce.
• Intended to inspire dread in the Babylonians in a
  non-violent fashion.

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The Role of Ganja in Rastafarianism and
Non-Violence

• For Rastas, smoking ganja is seen as a way to tap
  into a state of mind in which the sacred can be
  accessed.
• The calming effects and contemplation of the
  sacred are non-violent ways to combat their daily
  oppression

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SURVIVIAL AND NON-VIOLENCE

• Rastafarianism has allowed for the psychological
  survival of the inhabitants of Jamaica and other
  former colonies in the West Indies.
• The non-violence component provides a means to
  rebel and maintain a degree of mental autonomy
• Furthermore, the non-violent weapons promote
  pride in African culture and allow that past
  heritage to survive the influence of Babylon

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Rastafarianism and Door into Ocean

• Connection between the natural world and their
  lifestyle.
• Rastas are often vegetarian, eating only fresh
  foods, like mango and coconut, and avoiding
  alcohol, meat, pork, and shellfish.
• While the Sharers do eat shellfish, they too are
  devoted to eating naturally and living in harmony
  with the natural world

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Whitetrance and Rastafarianism

• Whitetrance allows a psychological escape not
  unlike that which Rastafarianism provides.
• Whitetrance would be her own, her last line of
  defense, the state of consciousness that said I
  choose freedom above life (204)