Howard University - Bison Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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RASTAFARIANISM: Howard University, the melting pot o( black college and universities, where there are so many different and diversified cultures, races, and colors of people Ail of the people are together working towards one common goal, a quality education Among all the interesting and exciting people here, no other group of people are more misjudged or prejudged than the Rastafarian People look at the Rastafarian as immigrants with dirty and nasty hair Quite to the contrary. Rastafari is a way of life for many people that offers many answers to the daily problems black people face each and every day. From their striving physical appearance. to their language, food, and their spiritualism. Rastafarians and Rastafari have and present a unique history and culture. A culture that symbolizes all the elements of togetherness, spirituality and blackness Before one judges the Rastas bad. one should explore their history and way of life Rastafari beginnings can be traced back to the motherland of Africa Africa symbolizes a home- land. and a holyland to the Rastafari The historical inspiration for the Rastafari Is Marcus Garvey. Garvey, the leader of the early back to Africa movement, prophesued in the early 1900's. Look to Africa when a Black king shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is near In 1930. Rastafari was crowned the King of Ethiopia taking the name of Haile Selassie I. The Rastafari believe the crowning of Selassie was Garvey's prophecy come true, comodently. the first Rasta fanan appeared in Jamaica in the 1930's Selasst claimed to be a direct descender! of King David Sclassi. the 225th m an unbroken line, all related to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba The Rastas recognized, and still recognize Haile Selassi I as the living God The fundamentals of the Rasta world are biblical scriptures Rastafarians find justification for everything they do or believe In the scriptures Modern day Christians cannot identify with the Rastafari, they follow the New Testament for their guidance Rastas follow both books from the Old Testament and the New Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy, Psalms, the Song of Solomon. Isiah, Ezekiel. Timothy. Corlthians. Hebrews. and the Revelation of St John are the books that govern the lives of the Rastafari. These books dictate their language, physical appearance. eating and living Rastafarians have a language and a vocabulary uniquely their own The most important letter, and the most important word in the Rasta language is “I”. I is part of the title of the great Haile Selass I. It is included in the Rastafari language to indicate the Almighty. Jah, presence in the Rastafarian. Jah a God as the Rastas know him Instead of saying. “I am going away” a Rastafaran will say. I and I are going “I is also used in combination with other words. For example, ''power '' is l-ower''. and total a l-tal . Rastafarians greet each other with. Peace. Rasta”. “Love Rasta” or Praises due Selassi in various combinations Saying good bye is done the same as saying hello.

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Bermuda. Nigeria, And The Philippines Give Our Traditions A FOREIGN FLAVOR re are these lar away places with strange sounding names? When we think of far away we think of strange mysterous places we know nothing about. Places like Timbuktu. Tanzania. Bangkok, Guyana seem so foreign to us. Yet we have never stopped toconsider that there are places in the United States which are just as far away to the people in these far away lands There are those who seem so far away from familiar ways of life. Their home is just on the other side of the country. Imagine the yearning for home by a student from Nairobi When Thanksgiving or Christmas rolls around, we leave many students here at Howard which don't get a chance to go home but once a year. To be from Alaska or Wash- ington state may prove to be just as lonely as someone international to our community. Long distance may be the next best thing to being there but there's nothing like putting your feet under the dinner table of. to you. the world’s greatest cook and friend, mom Coming to school as a freshman, for many such students, has a preliminary adjustment of being away from home In most cases, the District of Columbia is a big change from your familiar hometown Whether it be the weather. living conditions, or simply the Block Boys, one must adjust to have a successful career at Howard. It may be harder for some because there are no fellow students which to call Home . Imagine the feeling of being the only student from Alaska One such student. A! Greene, is here all alone with no one to call his home-boy or home-girl. He's the sole member of the Alaskan Club Julius Simon, a first year Education student from Nigeria, says he 'doesn't plan to go home until he finishes because it is too costly, so there's no point Like others he misses home greatly, but unlike E T. he doesn’t phone home Julius keeps in touch by writing letters It took him a few weeks to adjust but he says he seems to like it here. In these times of technological advances, man has made life so much easier. There's a substitute for every possible thing imaginable You can have the next best thing to being there, but nothing can replace home. — Kym Smith Adaku Ahoghottu Ibfli human development m |or from Nigeria. t«ik» with her friend IJummada Retacion a Zoology majot from the Philippines Both girts want future careers In medicine Student Life 13

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A Way of Life for Howard Students Besides having unique beliefs and language. Rastafarians also spiritualize with each other in a somewhat different way Contrary to what outsiders believe. Rastas do not just get high like some other indivtduals do. Ganja or marijuana in its highest form is ca led 'Kali Rastafarians call it Kali after the Indian goddess in whose honor Ganja is smoked Rastas smoke the Ganja in what is called “spiffs’ Spliffs are cone shaped joints rolled with either brown bag paper, newspaper, or egarette package lining ‘ Passing the “joint” is not done by the Rastafarians. If there are three Rastas indulging in the spiritually uplifting of smoke Ganja. three spiffs will be smoked The chillum pipe is used when Rastas wish to share their Ganja with each other Smoking Ganja is a ceremonial and inspirational activity to the Rastafarians that is not to be taken lightly. Dreadlocks are an easily Identifiable physical sign of the Rastafari. They symbolize blackness, dignity and honor Dreads display outward expression of ones faith The longer the dreads are. the longer and stronger the spiritual devotion Rastas believe dreading the hair is the most natural way to wear the hair They believe that Dreadlocks signifies unholy people fear of the dreadful power of the holy” Hence the name dreadlocks. Dread meaning fear of reverence, locks mean ng hair. Dreadlocks are achieved by simply wash ng the hair and letting it dry naturally No combing, brushing or chemical treatment is done to the hair Only Black people can wear dreads The Rastas believe Dreads are very spiritual, whenever the Rastas are in public, most cover their Dreads with a knitted tarn The tarn is most likely the colors red fblood). black (earth), and green (life, growth). Rastafarians eat only natural food No meat, fish, poultry, or eggs These foods are said to be “dead foods ' Canned or chemically treated foods are also taboo to the Rastafarians Rasta food or Ita! food is organically grown by the Rastas Some Rastafar ans will not eat with utensils either, they choose to eat naturally with their fingers Female Rastafarians are identified by or re- ferred to as sister no matter what the relationship of the other Rasta speaking to her Sisters do not wear any type of pants and most of the time their heads are covered They are not permitted to enter a Rastafarian temple without covered heads. Sisters or daughters are not permitted to wear tight, form fitting, physique revealing clothes Their dress is long, floor length, or mid calf loose fitting garments No cosmetics are worn by Rasta women nor do they use chemical or unnatural birth control They do not engage in serious Ganja smoking either. Reggae music, the music of the Rastafarians, has been gaining popularity of the late, primarily due to the presence of the late Bob Marley. Marley is one of the most famous Rastafarians in the world. He has helped to spread the message of the Rastafari through his music With each beat of Regqae a spiritual and emotional message is being relayed to the people. Most jseoplc identify with Rastas through their music Rastafarians, the Dreaded people, are a fasci nating people. Their history. lifestyle, culture, and spiritualty is individual and distinct from any other peopes. Rastas are bonded, proud black people who help to make Howard University interesting and dynamic. — Kelly Marbury I 4, Yt A Ratiafcrw student hstens ntensely to one of the many lecture senes provided for students. Student Lite IS