In Rastafarian, you do not pronounce “h” in English words. So “thanks” becomes “tanks”, “three” becomes “tree”, etc. Similarly, Rastafarians do not pronounce “th” in English words. So, “the” become “di”, “them” becomes “dem”, and “that” becomes “dat”.
“I and I” can be used to replace “you and I” in a sentence. Such as,: “And I going to de concert. ” This means you and someone else are going to a concert. But it can also be used when talking about something you are doing alone, or a shorthand for “me, myself, and I”. Such as: “I and I going to de concert”. This means you are going to a concert, on your own. [4] X Research source “I” is also used as a play on certain English words, such as “I man” for “inner man”, or a Rastafari believer. Rastas will say “Inity”, instead of “unity”.
To say “hello”, use: “Wa gwaan” or “Yes I”. To say “goodbye”, use: “Me a go”, or “Lickle bit”. To say “thank you”, use: “Give thanks” or “Praise Jah”. [5] X Research source
“Jah Jah” is used to praise Jah or refer to Jah. For example: “Jah Jah protect mi fram mi enemy dem. ” In English, this means: “Jehovah protect me from my enemies. ” “Dread” refers to the dreadlocks worn as a spiritual practice by Rastafarians. It is also used to describe something or someone who is a Rastafarian, or seen as a positive influence. For example: “Dread, mon. ” In English, this means: “Cool, man. ” Or, “Natty dread. ” In English, this means: “You’re cool” or “You’re a Rasta. ” A person who does not have dreadlocks is called a “ball head”, a play on the term “bald head”. For example, Bob Marley sings in his song “Crazy Baldheads”[7] X Research source : “Wi guh chase dem crazy Ball head outta town. ” This translates to: “We gonna chase those crazy people without dreads out of town”. [8] X Research source
“Babylon” is the Rastafarian word for the police, who are viewed by Rastafarians as part of a corrupt government system. “Babylon”, which refers to the Biblical rebellion against God through the Tower of Babel, can also be used to describe any person or organization that oppresses the innocent. For example: “Babylon deh cum, yuh hav nutten pan yuh?” In English, this translates to: “The police are coming, do you have anything on you?” “Politricks” is the Rasta term for “politics”. There is a general skepticism of authority figures in Rastafarian, including politicians. So they are seen as tricksters, or full of “tricks”. “Irie” is one of the most important terms in Rastafarian. It embodies the positive outlook of Rastafarian culture and their belief that “everyting irie” or “everything is alright”. For example, “Mi nuh have nutten fi complain bout, mi life irie. ” In English, this translates to: “I don’t have anything to complain about, my life is good. ”
A boy is called a “bwoy” by a Rasta. A girl is called a “gal” by a Rasta. If a Rasta is asking another Rasta about their children, they will refer to the children as “pickney”, or “gal pickney”. Rastas refer to adult males as “bredren”. Female adults are called “sistren”. A Rasta man will refer to their wife or girlfriend as their “empress” or “queen”. For example: “My cyaah cum tomorrow, mi a guh spen sum time wid mi empress. ” This translates to: “I can’t come tomorrow, I’m going to spend time with my girlfriend. ”[10] X Research source
Rastas will say “downpression” instead of “oppression”. This is because “op” is Rastafarian for “up”, so “downpression” indicates something is holding someone down. Rastas will say “overstanding” or “innerstanding” instead of “understanding”. Rastas will say “outernational” instead of “international”. This indicates the Rasta’s feeling that the rest of the world lies outside their realm or world. [11] X Research source
“Fiyah bun” is an expression used to strongly denounce someone or something. For example: “Fiyah bun babylon kaaz dem eva deh taament people. ” This translates to: “I denounce the police because they are always tormenting poor people. ”[12] X Research source “Bag o wire” is expression that refers to a “betrayer” or “traitor”. This is a reference to a close friend of the black political leader Marcus Garvey, who betrayed him by giving away details of his escape plan. [13] X Research source For example: “Mi nuh truss deh bredren deh kaaz him a bag o wire. ” This translates to: “I don’t trust that man because he is a traitor. ” “Bumba clot” or “Rass clot” are very strong curse words in Rastafarian. “Clot” is considered a nasty sounding word and can be tied to the verb “to clout”, or “to hit or strike”. It can also refer to a used tampon, which is where the nasty aspect of the word comes from. [14] X Research source
The other Rasta may respond with: “Bwai, ya done know seh mi deya gwaan easy. " This means: ““I’m here just taking it easy. "
The other Rasta may respond with: “Mi baan inna Kingston”, which translates to: “I was born in Kingston. ”
“Yeh man, lickle more, seen?” This translates to: “Ok see you later. ” The other Rasta may then respond: “Lickle more. " This translates to: “For sure, see you later. ” A conversation in Rastafarian may go something like this: “Bredrin, wa gwaan?” “Bwai, ya done know seh mi deya gwaan easy. " “Yes I, a so it go still. Not ’n na gwaan, but we a keep di faith, nuh true?” “True. How de pickney dem stay?” “Bwai, dem aright. " “Yeh man, lickle more, seen?” “Lickle more. " The translation of this in English would be: “What ’s up, man?” “Not much, just taking it easy. " “Yeah, that ’s how it is. Times are hard but we have to keep the faith, isn’t that right?” “Yeah. How are your kids?” “They’re alright. " “Great, see you later. " “See you later. "
The belief in the beauty of black people’s African heritage. The belief that Ras Tafari Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, is the Biblical Messiah. He is also referred to as the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. This is why the lion is seen as a powerful symbol by Rastafarians. The belief in repatriation to Ethiopia, also referred to by Rastas as “Zion”, the true home and redemption of black people. The belief in the eventual fall of “Babylon”, the corrupt world of the white man, and a reversal of the power structure of slave and master.
Rastas take Biblical study very seriously and will cite and discuss scriptural passages. They believe the scriptures tell the true story of the black man’s history. They also feel Christian ministers have misled people by providing incorrect interpretations of the Bible, especially the use of the Bible to justify slavery. Rastas also refer to other official documents like The Promised Key and The Living Testament of Rasta-for-I. But most scholars agree no central doctrine of Rastafarian exists, as Rastas are against following organized systems or schools of thought. Instead, Rastas believe a person should engage in reflection and interpretation of their experience and form their own personal convictions about the Rasta beliefs.
Most Rastas follow the “I-tal” practice and some are vegetarians. Meat-eating Rastas usually abstain from eating pork, as pigs are seen as scavengers of the dead. Alcohol, coffee, milk, and flavored beverages like soda are also considered not “I-tal”. Often, Rastas will say: “Man a rasta man, mi only nyam ital food. ” This translates to: “I am a Rastafarian, I only eat natural foods. ”[18] X Research source
For Rastas, the “holy herb” is highly valued for its physical, psychological, and therapeutic powers. [19] X Research source
This does not necessary mean Rastas believe they will live forever. But they consider “everlasting life” a negative outlook on the fullness or “living”-ness of life.
