Rastafarianism

noun

Ras·​ta·​far·​i·​an·​ism ˌra-stə-ˈfer-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

ˌrä-stə-ˈfär-

: a religious movement among Black Jamaicans that teaches the eventual redemption of Black people and their return to Africa, employs the ritualistic use of marijuana, forbids the cutting of hair, and venerates Haile Selassie as a god

Examples of Rastafarianism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another element of the movie that really stood out to me was how the movie presented Rastafarianism. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 9 Mar. 2024

One Love explores the singer’s commitment to Rastafarianism and its impact on his consciousness with a light touch. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024

The reggae artist Sizzla is planning to transform Judgment Yard, his property in August Town, Kingston, into a place where all are welcomed to stay and experience Rastafarianism. —Text By Nicole Dennis-Benn, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2023

Prime Minister Michael Manley and his party, People’s National Party, had long embraced Rastafarianism, and Manley himself had publicly overlooked marijuana farming until American authorities began to apply pressure in the mid-1970s. —Kristen McGuiness, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2022

Founded in the early 1970s, MOVE blended anti-establishment Black liberation, Rastafarianism and the animal rights movement, — frequently clashing with law enforcement in protest. —Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2021

But Dodd was fond of neither Scratch's singing voice nor Rastafarianism, and that ultimately hastened his departure from the Studio One fold. —NBC News, 29 Aug. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above