Rasta Wanna Be
Greetings in the name of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, H.I.M King Selassie I, JAH RASTAFARI
It is all so common to see people of all walks of life wearing “Dread Locks”, Red Gold and Green, Smoking Ganja and wearing Bob Marley T-Shirts. This pop culture phenomenon in of itself serves to be a double edged sword. It lends it self to being evidence of the positive vibrations of the Rastafari Movement, yet at the same time serves as a direct force of disinformation of the Rastafari livity. More times than none, the type of person I have just described are whom InI call “Fashion Dreads” or Impostors. Further more it is easy to run into those who call themselves Rasta, but in all actuality they are Rastafari Sympathizers; infatuated with the culture and lifestyle of the Rastafari Breadreen and Sistreeen.
Recently a friend of mine, who I might add is a Gentile, asked me the following question and requested that I blog my thoughts on it.
“In regards to becoming a Rastafari, is it foolish or considered taboo for a white person to convert or join this way of life because of the Pan-Africanism and Afro-centric beliefs and world view.”
Within this question there are actually 3 elements to be discussed.
Please follow me as I address these three elements.
Conversion to Rastafari
King of Ieration
One does not convert to Rastafari, because Rastafari in its essence is a Livity (way of life) that one is called upon by the Most High to live.
The Irit (Spirit) of Rastafari is with InI from Ireation (Creation) however it often reveals itself stage by stage. Rastafari is a livity (way of life), and as in life, you learn as you live. As you grow, you learn the elements of Life, Love, Justice and the workings of the Iniverse (universe) and your eyes open a little bit wider. It is when one fully opens their eyes and submits to the will and teachings of the Head Creator as manifested in the image of Rastafari, does one become Rastafari in fullness.
To that end “many are called but only the few are chosen”, thus you do not chose to be Rastafari you are created Rastafari
The principals of Rastafari
The Last Supper
There are three main Mansions of Rastafari, the Theocratic Order of Nyabinghi, Boboshanti, and 12 Tribes of Israel. The dress, services, and interactions vary from Mansion to Mansion however all Rastafari maintain the following principals and manifest them in their lives. Any man or woman who claims to be Rastafari and do not submit to these “Kingcipals” are either wolves in sheep’s clothing, ignorant to the way of Rastafari, or are simply just sympathizers of the Movement. For these principals are the defining factors that separates a Ras from a Dread.
- Rastafari revere H.I.M. Emperor Haile Sellassie I of Ethiopia as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Conquering Lion of Judah. The 225th descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, the last to sit upon the Throne of David, God Head, and the Ancient of Days. The same Lion of Judah that the book of Revelations Ch. 5 spoke of. Thus we submit to his will and teachings.
- The Honourable Marcus Garvey is our Prophet and has his place in the hierarchy of Rastafari
- InI actively fight against oppression and downpression (hence the word Nyabinghi means “death to all black and white oppressors”)
- Ethiopia is the Holy Land and is an integral part of the Garden of Eden as recorded in the book of Genesis.
- “Africa for the Africans, at Home and Abroad”. Rastafari assert that all the African peoples brought to the western hemisphere through the advent of European slave trading, whose progeny still survives, have the inherent rights to demand their repatriation back to the African continent if so desired. Furthermore, all costs and reparations should be contributed by nations that participated in the nefarious practises of African slave trading
- Adhere to a Rastafari “Ital Livity”, a lifestyle that is organic and sustainable
- Reasoning and or being Reasonable.
All Rastafari brethren hold sacred these basic I-cepts of the culture, to which we offer Biblical and Historical reference; particularly the recorded history of Ethiopia.
White Rastas, Taboo?
- Rastafari En Colombia
Rastafari knows no boarders; it flows through race, gender, or geography because it is an Ineversal (universal) Irit (spirit). The mission of Rastafari is to create unity and universal harmony. In his 1963 Declaration to the League of Nations H.I.M King Selassie I said:
“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war and until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation, until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, there is war. And until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality, will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained… now everywhere is war.”
In saying all this, Rastafari Idren do not look down upon their brothers and sisters who may be of a Caucasoid, Asian, South East Asian or any other genealogy. I would like to reverse the question now and ask are you willing to humble yourself to accept the principals of an Afro-centric world view. Would you be willing to submit to the teachings and will of a Black King and God. 
39 comments
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September 27, 2008 at 10:35 am
Observor
“until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes”
What is the significance of you asking wether we are willing to submit to the teachings of a “black” king or God, should you not just ask wether we are willing to submit to your God, by using the term Black King or God it makes me think that you are holding a colour as superior, until people stop using colour to differentiate things i think we’ll always get problems.
I don’t think a god should be talked about in terms of a colour at all, and i don’t beleive that god is a person like you or I, do you? surely a God must be much more than a human being, and take some other form. Thats just my own beleif but the colour thing needs to br dropped and looked upon as Selassie said in his speech, only then will the war stop.
September 27, 2008 at 10:36 am
Observor
Love the website by the way, very nice….+the TV
September 27, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Martin
I am not rasta, but I completely understand the frustration you must have with dreads. I know this white boy who has dreads and smokes the herb and says he likes reggae, but is quick to profess his atheist beliefs. makes me pretty sick.
but i would like to ask you a question, regardless if the spirit of God did or did not come to the earth manifest as H.I.M Haile Selassie I, why do you say “Black King and God”….do you then confine the supreme omnipotence of the LORD to material descriptions?
bless
February 6, 2010 at 10:26 am
Snagu
so you think that no one but rastas could have dreads? its just a hairstyle and smoking or listening to reggae doesnt have to do anything with beign rastafar or way of life or anything. If someone have dreads and listens to reggae it doesnt mean that hes impostor, thats just the way he is.
March 10, 2011 at 10:53 am
jdan
You should not be made to feel sick by a man who smokes herb and listens to reggae. Conscious people all over the world practise this, with or without identifying with Rastafarianism. Our unified battled should be the struggle against oppression and attempting to bring about the fall of “babylon”. Colour, religion, herb choice, music and hairstyles should never divide us in our struggle because we ALL suffer the same oppression. Once those oppressors are removed we can all do as we choose and live in harmony. Black man can live in a united peaceful africa, I canod is live where a choose and eat no meat, and we will all be free.
Whether God is black or white clearly has no relavence because it is on his earth we are suffering, on his earth we a trapped…
October 20, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Unika Hypolite
No, I do not intend to communicate a confinement of the supreme divine to only a mortal being; as i know that the head creator is all form, all encompassing, and all powerful.
My point was to simply articulate the fact the the said one chose to manifest himself in thus form. Reason being is that until know people resembling that form have been viewed upon as the least of our brothers. The fact that the said one chose that form as paramount because it is a complete departure from the messages communicated and perpetuated by early Christian Jesuits and European Imperialist (and even Mormons until the mid 20th century). Acceptance of this concept is integral the definition of one who is truly a Rasta as a Rasta is a deciple of the Black King and Christ. Further more the spreading of the message of the said one is the nucleus of a Rastas mission.
Ras Unika Tianyvu Hypolite
July 27, 2010 at 8:42 pm
yuajah
Thank you for that….nicely said.
April 21, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Ras Parker
Thanks Ras for these words of teachings
November 26, 2008 at 3:39 am
rasbook
Where did you get that Columbian picture?
June 28, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Unika Hypolite
I got the picture from the a Latin Bobo Ashanti website who claims affeliation with the EABIC (Ethiopian African Black International Congress). http://www.black-king.net
January 29, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Roman Chiavaro
Greetings, in the name of the most high, Jah Rastafari…
I&I have found this text around the web and I&I so intrestead in what u talking about and what u saying… I&I live in Argentina where the pop culture and rasta fashion is increased day by day, in TV, in magazines, in newspapers, on the web, is really sad to see so many peoples that don’t overstand the real meaning of being a Rasta , of teaching the true and seeking happiness, love and culture, they just forgett all that and just have a livity of fashion and dresses, they call themselves Rastas, they sing on stage, they talk on tv, and I&I see so much lies , so much hypocresy, day by day I&I is so sad, but so sad, that I&I feel sometimes with hate to thoose people…
Im a whiteman, son of Italian father, and son of a Spanish mother, I use dreadlocks since 2 years ago, but i feel the true and the true livity since i was a child all my family members professes Jehova faith, I&I never follow a religion, I&I is just a man who seeks for true and a right road for human kind, that’s why I&I will translate your words to show to my people what the real meaning and true about this topic, thank you for your words
PD: The columbian picture comes from black-king.net from the visit of the Boboshantis saints to Latin America, they visit Columbia,Ecuator and Peru.
March 3, 2009 at 11:26 am
Jahsun Ase King I Live
Greetings and Love To One And All
Isses Iyah. JAH give de word and great are I&I which go out and publish it!!
Forward IVA. It is as the Christ said it in scriptures-I cannot speak to you of Heavenly things-when ye cannot understand the things of the earth. A westernized mind is completely black and white in terms of the way it functions. This state of mind is regardless of class/race/gender.
When I&I try to explain mystic revelations of the Inner–it is a communication that is lost in translation from the etheral to the visceral.
So yes we advocate black supremacy-yet not from the comtemporary world view with all its stereotypes. We are spaeking in the present from an ancient conciousness which has transcended space in time to exist in the present. Yet those of us who revolve into this new/ancient concious state are typically trying to bridge the two worlds while existing in the duality of life.
Again when we speak of “Black Supremacy” we are not speaking about a reversal of fortunes, or the dynamic opposite of some “neo-nazis”. We are the RASTA we are criminal minded gunblazing cracker killahs!!!
We are men of principle, integrity, family and community values are the foundation of our lifestyle. The Supremacy aspect is in recognition of the history of the human race. We believe the original inhabitants of this planets were ALL of a darker hue i.e. BLACK FOLKS!!!! We believe that all humans are descended from the DARKEST BLACKEST AFRIKAN you can imagine—thats where we ultimately come from people. So that being said itself is probly got nuff a you newborns—-wiggin—–and sqirmin around in you skin fe try an blog down Iman reasonin–so it go–some a love some a go hatred…..So that is the simplest way IMAN can support I bredrin in producing the truth about I&I JAH CHILDREN—–THe duppies play the legalist game with words and try turn all around the object and be passively aggresively while attempting to trick–I&I into prostrating I&I self in an apology by stating that I am sorry for hurting you sensibility by saying the black man is GOD WE NO LONGER SLEEP!!!
I&I will beg no pardon for so knowing that HAILIE SELASSIE I of ETHIOPIA is CHRIST in HIS KINGLY CHARACTER and I&I HIS DISCIPLES NAH GO RUN AWAY!!!!!
TO say that the black man is supreme is to be understood as this—–if you are hearing it from a bonafide YAHWARRIOR you will know because you will feel it!
You wont feel condescended or downpressed by the truth from that ONE—When you are submitting yourself to the power of DIVINITY that compels you to bow down you will not find your self fightin against bowing down to what your soul believes is a “nigger” rather you will be re-establishing a relationship with your ORIGINAL SPIRITUAL FATHER—-a relationship with your ORIGINAL MOTHER EARTH, and begin to heal the relationship with your BROTHERS AND SISTER–the rest of the human race that isnt just like you!!!!!
Black Supremacy in our eyes is simply a looking back at the past—the philosophy, rituals, strategies, concepts that made the ancient world sound and beneficial-to them and the planet as it existed then. We have been living in a world of “White Supremacy” for over 2000 years–how is is going so far? I&I Jah Children have decided to go back and reclaim our RIGHTEOUSNESS, GOODNESS, INTERGRITY, our FAMILIES. We reclaim it resurrect it from crucifiction and death—–and RE-ESTABLISH our statelyness, and principaled living. This is our purpose for being and doing.
WE realize that humans in ancient times lived in a “higher” state of existence than we do now. The human race was more enlightened and creative as a whole then. WE were critical thinkers and visionaries. That is what Black supremacy is the tool by which we fill in the tomb that was gouged out of very existence, by he slave trade and 400 plus years as prisoners of war-captives–degraded–and dehumanized individuals. People who have had no right to be anything but an entertaining side show to the “manifest destiny” party. Well We are not pissy or even too much thinkin about what yahll do anymore.
We gon do us an be us and GIVE THANKS FOR LIFE!!! WE are still royal and gifted and courageous as ever in the defense and sustenance of our BABIES. We are not different than anyone of you. We all want good food, water, hot sexx. Food Clothing Shelter. These are the basic needs–we have just freed ourselves from the need to people please-and capitulate on every level just to be. We do not live in denial in anyway. I&I are self accountable and responsible. I&I hold others to the same.
No victims here. FLashy dreads, wolf in drag, Jezebite jezebell, and fossy dem, various idiot and stiff neck, as well as duppy, imp and toothless dragon. I&I no sight nothing to make we fear! THe foolishness of your stupid fillibuster reasoning—only work on the weak minded!!! And those young ones are well protected also.
Idrens–Give de wicked a wide berth–trust none just trust them to be what they are–then you can handle the snakes with impunity—-IMAN LOVE UNNOH ALL KEEP UP THE GOOD WERKS!!!!!
12 Tribes-510 NO CALI
LOVE KING TAFARI
SUPREME
March 3, 2009 at 11:32 am
Jahsun Ase King I Live
just a typo correction ” We are the RASTA we are criminal minded gunblazing cracker killahs!!!”
there should be a NOT in there so it reads
” We are the RASTA we are not criminal minded gunblazing cracker killahs!!!”
March 17, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Ras Eli Gibson
I myself am a white Rastafari and to the people that have questions about the it was worded “Black King or God” does not mean black but more as meaning African since all man originates from Africa and that is where H.I.M. JAH RASTAFARI ruled. InI live in America where Bob Marley and Rasta is all just a fashion trend. It does get annoying sometimes because everyone that listens to Bob Marley thinks they know what a Rastafari is but thats not the case. InI try to educate the people around me about I livity but just because they listen to Bob Marley and smoke the herb they think they know everything. I as a white man, but also a Rasta, do believe in a African man is God on earth. Anyone who wants to talk further email me at zepplin5656@hotmail.com
March 31, 2009 at 1:48 am
Morley
more than likely Jesus was black. i actually got kicked out of my catholic school because i was arguing with my religion teacher that he was in fact black, and not any other genealogy, and it makes sense too. i would be more than willing to submit to a black king and god, who am i to disagree.. if hes god, then hes god. makes no difference the colour of his skin anyways, btw, im white, if i wanted to grow some dreads, would i be able to? i dont have curly hair by any means. wavy though. but not curly.. Nice website by the way, very insightful
May 13, 2009 at 12:51 pm
mamdouh al-najjem
hi my name is mamdouj i want to learn more about rastafarianism since i myself am a muslim, but wish to convert into rastafarianism, please let me know how to do so, i will follow what king of kings lord of lords, jah tells me to follow, just as i did with the prophets in my religion
thank you
January 15, 2011 at 2:54 am
NA JASHI
brotha.. muhamad said in the hadiths.. the masiah will return with the name jahjah and be called lion and king of king would be the terrifying name the lord took upon his return.. and he would suplicate in hebrew.. and have a mole on his cheek.. and be of the children of israel
May 26, 2009 at 2:34 pm
marlyn
hola
July 21, 2009 at 3:35 am
roots
There is Rasta and there is rascal just as there are sheep and wolves in sheep’s clothing. Only the true sheep will hear the shepherd because the frequency is too high for fools to overstand. A dog whistle operates in the same way…beyond the range of man (and therefore non-existent) but clearly audible to canines. Rastafari is an inborn conception that is a function of the heart that goes on within oneself, without oneself. Just like a heartbeat and equally as essential. Looking up to JAH that dwells within makes it impossible to look down on anyone, so no need to fear the truth that humanity starts in Afrika when humility is the key in self recognition and exploration. Like the blowing wind, who feels it, knows it as acutely as one knows hunger. There’s no need to ask another person if your belly is full when the answer is obvious to unu self. The arrogant ignorance of cultural imperialism and schisms create god complexes that distort the vision of men. Man, as created, has no problem recognizing his human family and respecting them wherever they inhabit the planet. Selah.
August 9, 2009 at 6:45 pm
liam
greetings. ini am a white and a rasta. ini am pleased that to hear that you are sayin good things about white people bein rasta. Fortunately ini dont know anyone who says there rasta just co they smoke the herb. alot of people tell me ini cant be rasta coz im white and not jamaica ex but i dont pay attention. ini firt lerned he truth frm a rasta man when i was in jamaica but i ave one more question. douse it matter that ini have bathroom dreads and not natty dreads? ini treat them the same way you would treat natys but i got them useing the backcomb method. ini was just wondering and this seems the best place to find out.
much love and god bless.
ps. ini am very impressed with the info on this site
January 20, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Unika Hypolite
Give Thanks for acknowledging InI as a quality source of Knowledge and Wisdom as it pertains to Rastafari. I will keep this response short. Rastafari Livity is a Ital livity (Natural Life Style) because InI overstand that all of Jah’s creations are perfect in its original form. As a result InI recognize our natural state as perfect and does not need to be manicured in order to satisfy ones concept of beauty.
August 12, 2009 at 9:57 am
Sonny
It seems to be an obsession with humans that we label things and try to put people and beliefs into these groups and “systems”. I was raised as christian, studied spiritual beliefs from all over the world, and currently dont see the point of identifying with any religious group. I try to live a just life based on my understanding of God’s will. I make good and bad choices at times, but have definitely had experiences with God and many moments of enlightenment. So why do so many think that one belief has to be right or better than another? No man knows really what is in the heart of anyone else so how can we judge at all? I barely know myself most days:) Anyway this is a well done and balanced website and a great resource for those who are seeking direction. much respect
January 20, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Unika Hypolite
Give thanks for the positive feed back. just trying to do my part as i walk the livity of Rastafari; promoting life and love. Making a conscious effort to live up to my name Ras Unika Tianyvu Tafari (The Prince who bares light and lights up to inspire awe)
September 23, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Forever Righteous
Blessed in the name of the most High father.
October 13, 2009 at 9:31 pm
edu
Una cuestión en la foto: The principals of Rastafari se ve una estrella de david arriba de la foto tiene algo qe ver con el movimiento rastafari me encantaria qe me lo respondieran si no es mucha molestia saludos desde Argentina.
Regge (L)
July 13, 2010 at 9:04 pm
breathlessbeauty
Give Many thanks for this open dialect here! Impressed by the fact that this has been civil and not the normal blown out arguement! To the I Rastafari is just as the blogger said a livity and one that fights for truth, rights and justice. In the bible they describe Jesus Christus as wooly hair and bronze feet that alone tells you he was a black man! We all originated out of the mother land Africa and Ethiopia is mention on several occasion in the bible! If we read and research the Mystics of H.I.M.we will see the relation to the biblical text and Selassie I. Rastafari is a way of life and yes one needs to live the life to call themselves Rasta!
One love ! Guidance and Peace
ISES UNTO THE MOST HIGH
July 25, 2010 at 8:47 pm
onesoulfortheworld
many thanks to InI for putting this site up its really nice to hear positive talk in a world so led astray. i dont reli feel the need to say i own veiws i just pray for the ones who dont understand just yet. there is hope for InI in the future. just show some love to people around you if u read this blessed love.
JAH is the light
August 26, 2010 at 10:09 am
RAS MDU
Kings of Kings, Lords of Lords, Da Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah…SilasieI…Ahoy kings and queens..Brathrens and Sistrens of his majesty..peace be upon us!
September 24, 2010 at 9:31 am
tii marley
its cool to be R…….
October 14, 2010 at 4:44 pm
one_blood_dread
Blessings and Love Jah RastafarI. My friends I come humbly to you with this. I stumbled upon this site and had to read further into what it was that was concerning you all. My friends don’t stress your mind about how you make dreadlock or even if you decide to or not dread this is not what I believe Rasta is all about. Neither I believe is Rasta about what you eat or wash your skin with. Yeshua, the messiah taught us this long ago. Rasta, for I and I is about following the example of His Majesty and finding in that life, a freedom that no one could take from I. It seems self evident regarding these so called “Imposters” that they should not affiliate themselves with something they don’t understand (Why would somebody call themself RastafarI without first knowing who RastafarI is?) but even this we shouldn’t shame them. Him who have ear listen, this man who call himself Rasta whether he lives the life or not will not soon be able to say anything negative about RastafarI for he has already claimed it for himself/herself. This is not the Babylonian forces I and I fight against, certainly there is a greater evil.
I and I know that it is truth that this phrase “Black Supremecey” need to be put out from the mind and heart of ALL MAN. The prophet Nesta say it best because him a white and a black man. The Christ that we know in the Holy Ible, them no mention Him skin color for the best of reason, it isnt to us to be concerned about. It would not matter to I and I if Sellasie I were a White man from Israel or Indian man from India or China man at all this I believe is HIS greatest message to the world, there IS NO GENTILE! Where or what I and I are born into isnt important it is more important what I and I do with this time I am permitted to live . Rastaman no have to look or act like how anyone expects them to Rastaman never bow Never! Live well my friends and may you find your way to Jah Almighty.
November 11, 2010 at 12:54 am
Michael Healy
To all the nice people who have started out by saying…”I’m white and a Rasta”….stop saying that. The more you define yourself, the more you put a ceiling on who you are. Western thinking has you unknowingly categorizing yourself. If you are really Rastafari, keep it a secret and tell the world only that love life and seek the truth. Let Jah define you to the world as you are meant to be. Define yourself only as “I am.” Also, stop worrying about having the most perfect dreadlocks- this is a forum on the truth, not hairstyles. When you grow locks on your heart first, the dreads you grow on your head will be magnificent.
Jah knows my name and He says it out loud. To know Rasta is to know the truth. Houston, Texas represent.
August 5, 2011 at 11:43 am
Unika Hypolite
i only cannot agree with the “keep it a secret” part. no need to deny your love of the King of Kings. one does not need to boast, but do not ever deny.
December 27, 2010 at 9:19 am
denise palomino
greetings in the name of H.I.M.
De I is like a roaring lion.
January 13, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Horus
Yes-I Give thanks fo’ th’ reasoning. Whas’ The-I word-sound on dragon imagry and references? Wha’ dos’ dragon mean to The-!?
Blessed,
Horus
January 21, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Bekle Berhane
Great Article and I have no problem bowing down to the All-Mighty Black God and Black King of Kings, the Great Lion of Judah.
March 8, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Jay
When I first read this topic my instant reaction was H.I.M’s own words of wisdom, until the colour of a mans skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes. Also, rasta is not about the exterior, the way a person dresses, styles their hair, you don’t have to be dread to be rasta, you don’t have to smoke to be rasta, rasta is what’s in your heart. I thought the idea was to help the lost find their way with the wisdom and knowledge of rastafari in order to make a better world. it’s all about unity, we’re all children of africa. Unite all people and we can return to zion. It would not be in the spirit of the rasta movement to assume that because a person is white that they do not have the right to know what’s in their heart.
March 29, 2011 at 3:23 am
Supreme Shabazz Allah
You do have to dred to be Rasta! One will never know the way of Rasta if they dred not!
June 24, 2011 at 10:57 pm
PaPaJoHn
in this time surrounded by ignorance and mental slavery it is most important to overstand that InI not white or black or brown or yellow or purple but InI RASTAFARI sight?!
UNITY IS LIVITY
BLESSS UP IDREN JAH NO DEAD
September 6, 2011 at 3:37 am
Bryan Bulauan
being a rasta boy