It was also prophesized in the Bible in Revelations that the Lion of Judah was the only one worthy to open the Seventh Seal and save the world from destruction. Rastafarians interpret this divine message to mean that Haile Selassie, whose title was the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, would break the chains of slavery and give the Sufferers their freedom again. The sufferers are the slaves who had been emancipated after 1863 but still not free in 2003. The sufferers were categorized as chattel or property, inanimate objects having no emotional feelings or civil rights. They were constantly fighting segregation laws, which were bent on treating them as less than animals, lynching and killing them when they try to act like humans. It was illegal to chain their hands and feet but acceptable to chain their minds. Most Rastafarians I interviewed thought mental slavery still exists today for many groups, but it is now called a new name, 'internalized racial oppression' which is supported by institutionalized racism.

As in post 911 America, the sufferers are all people of dissent, regardless of race, color or creed, and we are all at the mercy of the economic downturn and civil rights abuses. Affirmative action programs are being cut as much as 'Dreadies' are shaving their dreadlocks. It is unacceptable by the Rastafarian tenets to grow your dreads as a hair style, it's a 'taboo' to cut it unless you witness a dead body in which case it will defile your locks. Some Rastas shaved to avoid persecution like the Coral Garden incident in Jamaica in 1963 where the government rounded up all Rasta men and shaved them. Some Rastas shave for employment but in most cases growing the dreadlock is in defiance of the Babylon system. There is a series of rituals a Nazarene has to partake of before they can grow their hair. It is a natural process that involves washing and praying or meditation only; no chemicals or Beeswax and definitely no Barber Shop, Beauty Salon or 'Vanity Fair'. Some Rastas like the Bobo Ashanti sect wear Turbans and hats call 'Tams' or 'Crowns' to cover their dreadlocks, because of all the commercial 'dreadie' infiltrating the movement. There is also the 'rent a dreadie' which is a tourist thing where female visitors to the island would become infatuated with the hair style and hire a dreadie to run errands and perform sexual favors. Rastafarians do not support this form of exploitation so they are covering their dreadlocks so as not to be mistaken as the defilers. This is one reason why authentic Rasta despises being call 'dread', because every dread is not a Rasta and every Rasta is not a dread. As the young prince of the Bobo Ashanti sect, Sizzla stated in his CD entitled "Royal son of Ethiopia", when he chants, "never let the enemy see you dreads because they would bring the wicked man into your Bless".

Then again, Morgan Heritage in their hit song contended, "You don't 'haffa' dread to be Rasta" as I realize that they are all dreadlock Rastas. But like in all African proverbs or colloquial expressions there is an implied message, meaning Rasta is not only about the covenant on your head but the one in your heart, which is invisible to the unconscious ones. The dreadlocks that Rastafarians grow on their head is a covenant to their livity mentioned in the book of Numbers Chapter 6, verse 13 which is known as the vow of the Nazarene. This vow stipulates that you grow your hair as an external precept to show your separation and devotion to the highest creator. It is a spiritual vow, which gives the devotee inner strength and overstanding to continue their spiritual path even in the face of persecution.

The sufferers also reflected the African nations who were fighting for liberation from colonialization throughout the world. Haile Selassie became involved in the fight for liberation by helping to establish the League of Nations which is now the United Nations. He defended Ethiopia against the invasion of Mussolini and the Italian forces and set a precedent for Hitler and the German forces. According to an Ethiopian Elder who grew up with Haile Selassie, who said, "There would be no Africa with out the leadership of Haile Selassie and many people who know world history respect Selassie." So he did many heroic things and I guest, it is difficult to separate the political from the spiritual. But yet today we see thousands of people going down in Babylon and fighting against Selassie I and Rastafari ideology. When I asked the Ethiopian Elder his opinion about the careless Ethiopians going down in Babylon, he forgave them because they know not what they do. They do not know the history, and people without the history of their past is deemed to repeat it in the future. The Ethiopian Elder sees this as the cause for the economic and political turmoil in Ethiopia today.

Even Selassie I was humble about his own spiritual powers over his followers. When he arrived in Jamaica in 1966, he didn't realize the Rastafarians revered him more than some of his own people who viewed him as a mere mortal, a Christian King and head of a feudal political system. But it doesn't surprise me because a prophet is never recognized in their own homeland. If the people can crucify Jesus Christ who they represent as White and one of their own; why wouldn't Selassie's people do the same thing to him? It was during this visit to Jamaica that the land grant known as 'Shashamane' was given to the Black Rastafarians to repatriate to Ethiopia.

Marcus Garvey is considered the father of the movement but even he later criticized the Rastas as being fanatical about their tenets especially the sacred herbs which was mentioned in the beginning of Genesis 1. Mutaburuka and some Elders today are forwarding a 'new faculty of interpretation' disputing Selassie I divinity. Yet, we as fervent Rastafarians know that Jah is worthy to be praised. We are not here to fight amongst ourselves, we know about the old Babylon strategy to divide and conquer. So, if people have not come to this enlightenment as yet in their Rasta path or outgrew their path in the movement we know that Rastafari will prevail. People will keep trying to change the definition but it won't uphold without Selassie as the potentate.

However, there is one main tenet about Rastafari that is never disputed and that is that Haile Selassie is the symbol of this way of life. Rastafari is not considered a religion by most Rastas I interviewed for my video documentary, "Rastafari Ideology in Reggae Music and Culture". The Elders consider it a way of life, something that you can partake of on an individual basis without going to church. The Oslo Book of Religion includes it as the most recent religion, but the Elders remain skeptical because they know that religion is opium for the masses, and the Pope and the Vatican represent a form of religion that Rastafarians despise. However, like Orisha, Santeria and other forms of liberation theology, Rastafari has many basic religious tenets, but its main foundation is absolute reverence to the Black Emperor Haile Selassie.

The Ethiopian World Federation and the Rastafari Centralization Organization, along with various houses and mansions of Rastafari sects like the Bobo Ashanti, Nyabinghi and the Twelve Tribes recognize and revere Haile Selassie as the Black Christ, the Comforter and lineage to their divinity. Even if it is out of defiance it is steadfast. Haile Selassie is directly related to King David, King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. There is no dispute of this royal lineage as it is chronicled in King of Kings, the Torah and many other biblical doctrines.

I think this is the mystical protection of this way of life, because most Rastas I interviewed in my documentary were fanatical about this tenet, just as Judeo-Christians would defend their established image of Jesus Christ or the Buddhist would defend the Lama. The ironic thing is that most Rastas are Christians because Selassie I was a Christian King. The Ark of the Covenant, which is now called the Ten Commandments, is protected in Ethiopia. Ethiopia holds the history as a holy land and one of the early Christian Kingdoms mentioned in the Bible. Psalms 68 indicated "Ethiopia shall soon stress forth her hands unto God," and the verse further states, "extol him the one who rides on the clouds by his name Jah." Hallelujah in Hebrew translates to "praise God." But yet I know of some Rastas in my interviews that would say that 'God' is a Greek word, spelled 'Gad,' and we are Hebrews or Israelites.

Whatever the misconception creates we are all in agreement that the Black King is the symbolic icon and considered the God Head of this movement. Anyone who disputes this dogma will get a fight from any conscious Rastaman. As Frankie the Elder Rastaman in Trelawney expressed in his interview for the documentary in 1998, "Babylon is going to get a fight from the Rastas until the Pope and the Vatican accept the fact and tell the world that Selassie I is the Godhead." By fight he is referring to philosophical disagreement. So even if intellect or the "the new faculty of interpretation" being forward by some Elders like Mutaburuka who states Selassie is not God, we as Rastas would respond that faith is the substance of things seen and unseen. Like any spirituality it is difficult to rationalize unless you are experiencing the benefits.

Selassie I is the most salient personage of Rastafari globally, along with the late Reggae Superstar Bob Marley who echoed the philosophy of Haile Selassie and enlightened the world to his Majesty's words and speeches, including the title song, "War".

Today we find Rastafari being embraced by many sufferers from all walks of life. Like Buddhism, Rastafari is a path or process to enlightenment that is always in progress. As Bob Marley stated to the world, "anything you adopt will grow out of you as an inborn concept." I interpret those words to mean you have to apply conviction, which is equivalent to having faith. So anyone can be Rasta if you receive the calling. But many are called and few are chosen. As a Rastaman I would like the world to respect my livity, but I think it would lose its authenticity if it's open to conversion campaigns like most religious groups who recruit new followers saying "bring us your tired and your poor, these huddling masses yearning to find nirvana." I am skeptical like the Elders, who feel we need to create an invisible wire fence so that the imposters get zapped; maybe this is the 'hotta fyah' or 'judgment' that Capleton and Sizzla refer to in their chants. According to my late friend and mentor, Alric Forbes from the 'Gladiators', regarding fake Rastas and imposters, "We need the miracles of old as mentioned in the Bible to return to present day life, like when Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt and every time an imposter penetrates they will turn into a pillar of salt and disintegrate."

But then again Bob Marley says, Jah Rastafari don't run no wire fence and create borders. There is an internal telepathy that identifies one as an authentic Rasta and this has nothing to do with dreads or race. It is a connection to the heart and an openness to be humble, ego-free and dedicated to work grass roots for the movement without expectation of fame and glory.

So should we leave it up to chance or the same powers that created it to determine the growth and development of Rastafari?

Are the Elders willing to be on the forefront like the predecessors, not only as Entertainers, which is great, but also as Educators, which is even greater for liberation?

Or are we ok with just selling reggae or promoting reggae without regard to the Rastafari ideology?

The common comments by the Rastafarians I have interviewed for my documentary were that they are open to all cultures that want to share in this livity, but they were opposed to being exploited on their own resources or heritage. According to Buju Banton in his 'Til Shiloh' CD and Anthony B in his 'Universal Message' CD in the song 'Storm Winds', the universal cry again is that we want to rule our own destiny so we can model this empowerment for new followers who would be new to the concept of Rastafari. In order for Rastafari to be prevalent and potent as a universal doctrine, the Elders have to define it and keep it authentic like the Griots of Africa. This means the houses and mansions of Rastafari as well as the organizations such as the Ethiopian World Federation, the Rastafari Centralization Organization and other grass roots sectors must come together as one on other tenets, just as they came together on the Black King's divinity.

In my opinion this is the only reason why it is viable today as a culture that is resistant to appropriation. Our predecessors have set it up for us mystically. It would be very difficult for any person to accept a Black Creator giving the institutional racism that has been in place since slavery. When they do it is a total healing for all because it is a fact that our common ancestors are African and therefore Black. We need to check the facts before we start to hate so we can increase the peace and build a world we can all appreciate.

So children run come rally resiliently around the Ites, Gold and Green before it is too late.

"Until the lions become their own historians, tales of the hunted will always glorify the hunters."

Jah Breeze is a freelance journalist and video documentary producer from Guyana, South America. He is also an international musician and percussionist who has traveled to other continents to perform and study. The video documentary entitled "Rastafari Ideology in Reggae Music and Culture" began in 1994 with in-depth personal interviews with many top Reggae musicians and aficionados, as well as with "the man on the street" in Jamaica about the spiritual, social and political concepts of Rastafari and its influence on world culture. Jah Breeze received a Service to Education Award in May 2000 from Seattle Community College District in recognition of 5 years of dedication to teaching. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Arts Corps, a nonprofit arts education organization in Seattle. He is also an Artist in Residence at Islandwood School on Bainbridge Island and teaches at Highline Community College. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Speech Communication from Drake University.

Recently several articles have appeared in the local paper about Jamaican culture, each including vague references to Rastafarian beliefs and rituals. It seems clear to me that the time has come to present a better understanding, in certain terminology, without mystery and confusion, of Rastafari. Why do none of these publications attempt to present the philosophy of Rastafari? Having studied Reggae music and Rastafarian philosophy for 20 years, and having gained some insight into the deeper inspiration of the culture, I was presented an opportunity to interview one of the leading thinkers in Rastafari today--Michael Taylor a.k.a. Mikey General. Mr. Taylor is a British-born Jamaican, whose family migrated to Jamaica when he was two years old. He has spent over 20 years in the music business starting as a child singing in church choirs. He recorded his first single "Roots Mi Roots" at 16 years of age. Later, returning to the U.K., he earned the "Newcomer of the Year" award in the local charts.

Mr. Taylor continued to work diligently at his music, touring mostly in Europe, when he felt the spirit calling him back to Jamaica. In association with another conscious Reggae great, Luciano, he began his pilgrimage to Rastafari. In 1994, Mr. Taylor began to grow his Dreadlocks, an outward sign of an inward struggle, adopting a true and natural lifestyle. Throughout his career, Mr. Taylor worked to "exterminate the slackness in Reggae music." His music unites the trinity of word, sound and power in all of his works. His latest CD "Exalt Jah" exemplifies his philosophical and musical career. He is currently touring the U.S. with Luciano, bringing the message of "One Love and Peace."

Rastafarian philosophy finds its roots in Ethiopia or ancient Africa, which included modern-day India. So, much of the thought emanates from Eastern religions. The science of religion began in these lands, and great work has been done on the subject. In India today, the concentration is on finding enlightenment through spiritual practice-- not as in the West -- inventing technology to facilitate work and improve efficiency, usually for monetary gain. Together, Western mental discipline applied to Eastern philosophy may create a powerful synthesis of ideals. "Rastafari incorporates the metaphysical philosophy of the Hindu religion as God expressed in man" says Mr. Taylor. So, Rastafari is like East meets West. It has its roots in Eastern thought and a tremendous foundation in Christianity.

Jamaica is a unique place for these two ways of thinking to meet. Through slavery and abject poverty, desperation and struggle topped with little education other than what was taught in Christian services, Rastafarian philosophy was born. One of its tenets is to SEE what is going on around us and not blindly believe a counterintuitive way of life. We must remember that in Jamaica there was, and to some extent still remains, an economic and social gap between the white and black races. There exists separation based on the degree of blackness. The common misused Christian teaching that white is pure and black is impure lingers today. "Divide and conquer is the Will He Lynch? syndrome brought by slave owners in Jamaica to black slaves. It is a process where slaves are taught to fight one another over trivial things, such as skin color, hair texture or stature, allowing the slave master easier control of a disharmonious group," says Mr. Taylor. "Instead of trying to control a unified population of slaves with violence and killing alone, slave owners instituted a policy of divide and rule."

Because Jamaica is an island, there was nowhere to run or hide from the constant reminder of this apparent separation. Out of great suffering comes a great desire for nonsuffering. A path of nonsuffering does not mean laziness; it requires a great amount of work. But, the rub is to make the work you are doing your happiness or your bliss. Salvation is not an external concept, it comes from a deep desire to positively change oneself toward a common goal for the benefit of, first, your immediate community, and, as your fullness develops, all beings.

So, one asks, where are the churches or the buildings? Where is the organization? Where is the Pope of Rastafari? As mentioned earlier, Rastafari urges each person to examine his/her own inner spirituality. The fundamental text is the King James version of the Bible. But, faith is not housed in books or buildings, but found written on the hearts and souls of Everyman. "His Imperial Majesty [Haile Selassie] says that no matter the translation or the diction, the Word remains one and the same, and in it man will find the truth. You should always read with a clear conscience so that the spirit can instill in you the foundation of what is true from what is illusion," says Mr. Taylor. So, by design, the Rastafarian faith is centered in daily life: How we think, act and speak to each other in every moment is a meditation. If our thoughts match our actions and words regarding truth, humanity and justice, we remain deeply rooted to the basic ideals of Christianity. "Live for the moment; the past is gone, the future is not yet written. Now that I am in this time and space dimension, now is the time for my transformation. While I am here, I must express my divinity at this specific moment in time," says Mr. Taylor. The Rastafarians value the teaching, not the teacher; the community, not the individual; the inherent divinity in all life, not the vain physical manifestation. It is a general feeling that many institutions are a creation of man's ego or self and identify with principles incongruent with divine law. Greed replaces charity, guilt replaces forgiveness, separation replaces unity in a world turned upside down in the insatiable drive for individuality and financial wealth.

Rastafari reminds us of our connection to the Earth. In Psalms 24:1, we read "The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein." Haile Selassie, emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to1974, is hailed by Rastafarians as a manifestation of Christ in modern times. In the inspiration of his divinity, we should gain knowledge and wisdom on how to live today. Selassie is an instrument, as Christ was in His time, to uplift all people to their potential as divine beings, and to act accordingly, NOW. Ratstafari's Jah is a living God. The realization that Christ, Buddha, God, Allah, Sellassie live in all men-- and should be respected as such-- is a central ideal in Rastafari. When we hear the familiar phrase of Bob Marley singing "One Love," we must profoundly meditate on the divinity of all beings and our interconnectivity with all life. The miracle of life is Jah.

Rastafari is an opening, a path or a direction or a way to live in connection with life, not in opposition to life. When we develop this connection, by whatever means or path, suffering fades and life opens. This takes hard work (bliss) and dedication (livication), and it is practiced in every moment. In Genesis 3:19, we read "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 'til thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return." The message of Rastafari is live well, NOW. It should be clear that the Rastafarian faith is Biblically based, is grounded in nature, and respects the divinity of all men equally. When we act in accordance with a pure life and a clean heart and a good conscience, we can begin to better understand (overstand) the true Rastafarian way of life. Mr. Taylor closes with "It is our duty as human beings to express our divinity, and the divine is love. Let us all love!"

Haile Selassie says, "One God, One Aim, One Destiny. Unity gives strength and assures success. Loyalty inspires understanding, and understanding cooperation. These are the clearest evidence of strength, but the basis for all lies in education. It is through education that we can overcome lawlessness and immorality." In the open presentation and frank discussion of ideas, we can find the strength of understanding and universal compassion for all people. Jah Rastafari.

Third World at the Fenix Underground, Seattle