The Rastafari culture today

This document, a TV interview in 3D Dialogue, with Edmond Jerome Vassel, a Rastafarian chief editor, from iblack, raises some important points about the Rastafari culture and spirituality today.

It does not exist a written doctrine of Rastafari, the cultural concepts are various and have an oral tradition. First, for E.J. Vassel, the movement is not a religion, but rather spirituality. He wants to show that there is no theological, institutional power between the believers and their God Jah. He stresses the point that it is only a way of life. Rastas search in themselves for the voice of wisdom. They do not impose strict rules of behaviour. The aim is to make emerge the spirit of Jah, that is why the believers practise some reflection sessions and read the Bible every morning. Furthermore, the most important thing is having faith; and wearing dreadlocks, smoking cannabis for instance are not fundamental. Rastas are in control of themselves, of their choices.

Besides, E.J. Vassel goes over again the consumption of ganja (“the tree of Jah”) in the Rastafari movement. It is regarded as a part of native cultures, a rite and above all a means of releasing the spirit and elevating it to Jah. From then on, Rastas stand back and consider life with wisdom, by opening “the conscious mind with the subconscious mind”. Also, ganja allows a link, a harmony between nature, spirit and the universe. Its use is based on biblical references (“Herb is the healing of the nation”).

Even if Internet seems to take part in the Babylon system, E.J. Vassel considers that it is a modern way to spread the Rastafari message. It enables Rastas to communicate and people to learn more about the history and the ideology of the movement.

Finally, he insists on the values promoted by the Rastafari spirituality: peace, love, morality, honour… It is important to understand that the true Rasta culture is actually a search for moral consciousness, love and respect for the fellow man and harmony with nature.

Antoine