Unlike other religions that think paradise is in the sky, Rastafarians when they think of paradise, they think of Africa, particularly, Ethiopia.
Rastafari, sometimes called Rastafarianism, is a religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s.
Rastafari beliefs are based on a specific interpretation of the Bible. Central is a monotheistic belief in a single God, referred to as Jah, who is deemed to partially reside within each individual.
Rastas believe that Jah is inherent within each individual. This belief is reflected in the aphorism, often cited by Rastas, that “God is man and man is God”,[58] and Rastas speak of “knowing” Jah, rather than simply “believing” in him.
Rastafari is deeply influenced by Judeo-Christian religion and shares many commonalities with Christianity.
Rastas accord key importance to Haile Selassie, the emperor of Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974; many regard him as the Second Coming of Jesus and Jah incarnate, while others see him as a human prophet who fully recognised Jah’s presence in every individual.
Most Rastas share a pair of fundamental moral principles known as the “two great commandments”: love of God and love of neighbour.
Many Rastas believe that to determine whether they should undertake a certain act or not, they should consult the presence of Jah within themselves.
Rastafari promotes the idea of “living naturally”, in accordance with what Rastas regard as nature’s laws.
It endorses the idea that Africa is the “natural” abode of black Africans, a continent where they can live according to African culture and tradition and be themselves on a physical, emotional, and intellectual level Rastafari is Afrocentric and focuses attention on the African diaspora, which it believes is oppressed within Western society, or “Babylon”. Many Rastas call for this diaspora’s resettlement in Africa, a continent they consider the Promised Land, or “Zion”.
One of the artiste that placed Rasta on the global map, is Bob Nesta Marley.
Though born on 6th February 1945, May 11, the day of his death in 1981, has come to be known as Bob Marley Day across Africa. On this day on Nigerian campus, airwaves, Rastafarianism, the philosophy in the liberation songs of Bob Marley are analyzed as a means of advocacy to get the African to emancipate his mind from the mental poison and colonization by the Babylon System.
Today, the 42nd anniversary of Bob Marley’s death, will be celebrated in Kubwa as it would be in all parts of Africa.
Activities have been lined up to honor this icon and reflect on his philosophy.
NINA Hotel & Garden has set the drums, chilled drinks and the open air club, will fill the air with soul searching and mind reshaping lyrics from the evergreen philosophy of Bob Marley.
Another joint that is leaving no stone unturned tonight, to celebrate Bob Marley, is The Godfather’s Place Hotel. They management have lined up array of stars to perform in a concert starting from 4pm.
