what is rasta

Rastafari, sometimes called Rastafarianism, is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion. Rastafarians believe in a distinct way of seeing their past, present, and future, drawing from Old Testament stories, especially that of Exodus. They believe that people of African descent in the Americas and around the world are "exiles in Babylon" and are being tested by Jah (God) through slavery and the existence of economic injustice and racial "downpression" (rather than oppression). Rastafarians believe in some of the Bible mixed with some African beliefs and traditions. Rastafari is more than just a religion, it is a movement and a way of life. The Rasta lifestyle is one of peace, or at least it seeks to be one of peace. The Rastas economic beliefs are anti-capitalism. Rastafarians use their physical appearance as a means of visually demarcating themselves from non-Rastafarians. Male practitioners will often grow long hair locked in its natural, uncombed state, dress in the colors of red, green, gold, and black, and eat an "I-tal" (natural, vegetarian) diet. Rastafari music developed at reasoning sessions, where drumming, chanting, and dancing are all present. Rasta music is performed to praise and commune with Jah, and to reaffirm the rejection of Babylon. Rastafarians believe that their music has healing properties, with the ability to cure colds, fevers, and headaches.