Rastafarian Sayings and Quotes

When most people think of Rastafarianism, Jamaica, ganja, dreadlocks, and it’s most prominent ambassador, Bob Marely, come to mind. Below you’ll find a collection of wise and insightful Rastafarian quotes.

A Rasta is a person who knows each man and woman will be responsible for his and her own judgement by Jah. Empress
The Rastafari are a recent reincarnation of these efforts to develop racially grounded cultural alternatives, and like their predecessors, they, too, suffered from suppression and rejection by their fellow citizens and kin. Charles Price
Rastafari identity is a version of a long-standing set of racialized dialogues concerned with challenging oppression and White cultural hegemony. Charles Price
Rastafari has much in common with 'prefigurative' social movements in that the Rastafari identity (and its cultural complex) provides ideas for people experimenting with different ways of relating and living. Charles Price
Becoming a Rastafarian is characteristically a conversion process, and identity transformation. Charles Price
Rastafarians do not represent the traditional culture of precolonial Africans, they sought to adopt as many of the elements of the traditional culture as they could, and called attention to the history of precolonial Africa. Anita M. Waters
Rastafari is a spirituality of the heart. If you use your mind to understand something that is spiritual, you may miss the true essence and meaning of it. Empress
Rastafari men and women also sport a unique hairstyle, which they prefer to as dreads, but more correctly known as locks. Seon M. Lewis
Another noticeable characteristic of Rastafari is their clothing. Designed by themselves, it is made with bright colors of red, green and yellow. These colors are not there only for decorative beauty, but they represent significant religious implications to Rastafari. Seon M. Lewis
Rastafari believe that they are the only ones who are today living up to the Lord's biblical stipulations. The stipulation of not cutting one's hair. Seon M. Lewis
Rastafari was acting upon human nature. They are engaged in humanity's ancient national pastime, cultivating their culture, and, for that, they should not be demonized just because well established religious say so. Seon M. Lewis
Dreadlocks are the multivalent symbol of Rastafarian self-confidence, valorization of African beauty, and mythical connection with Jah. Ennis Barrington Edmonds
The principles of Rastafarian lifestyle, called 'livity', encode a commitment to live organically and harmoniously with the environment, which is infused with Jah's power. Ennis Barrington Edmonds
Many people of all ethnic stripes, who find themselves marginalized by what they perceive as the oppressive and homogenizing values have found in Rastafari a means of resisting those values and institutions, and returning home to a sense of self, rooted in a divine relationship with Jah. Ennis Barrington Edmonds
Out of the dark colonial past of their forbears, Rastas have risen up to affirm their self-dignity, African heritage, and right to self-determination. Ennis Barrington Edmonds
Some Rastas believe that their hair resembles as the mane, of a lion, others believe it shows the crown of their Jah Selassie. Dreads are mostly worn in compiance with athe Biblical references. Johannes Schiefer
Rastafarians have a close relationship with nature. Amber Wilson
The Rastafari diet is called Ital, which comes from the word 'vital'. Rastafarians use the term 'Ital' to mean a natural and healthy way of life. Amber Wilson
Rastafarians obey the laws of the Old Testament in the Bible, and do not cut or comb their dreads because they believe the Bible forbids it. Amber Wilson
An important part of some Rastafarians ceremonies is smoking a green herb called marijuana, or ganja, while reciting prayers. Rastafarians believe this herb calms people and brings them together in a peaceful way. Amber Wilson
Smoking marijuana is illegal in many parts of the world, including Jamaica, but Rastafarians do not obey this las because they believe it was created by people who do not share their religion. Amber Wilson
For most Jamaicans, religion is much more than just paying lip service to vague ideals; it represents a total involvement, a way of life. Harry S. Pariser
Most famous (and at times in the past, infamous) of all the sects originating in the Caribbean, Rastafarianism is also the most horrendously misunderstood. Harry S. Pariser
Rastas are basically vegetarians. Vegetables, fruit and juices are dietary staples. Harry S. Pariser
Rastas represent the spirit of the lion in the way they carry themselves, in their looks, and in their challenging attitudes towards contemporary social values. Harry S. Pariser
Rastas are congenial, gentle, and trustworthy people. The true Rasta, that is. Harry S. Pariser
Jamaica has often been characterized as an extremely religious society, and one place this religiosity is strongly reflected is in the country's popular music - particularly in the strong influence of the Rastafarian faith on reggae. Michael Veal
Rastafarian belief rejected modern technology in favor of a philosophy of naturalism typified by a rural ('roots') lifestyle. Michael Veal
Although there were abundant love songs, novelty songs, slackness songs, and instrumentals, the Rastafarian influence was dominant in the popular reggae of the era. Michael Veal
Rastafarians encounter all manner of diverse opinions, hearsay and half-truths about themselves, usually from those who see them from the perspective of spectators rather than faithful disciples. Abba Yahudah