rastafarianism

English - English

Definition of rastafarianism in English English dictionary

A religion that emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s out of biblical prophecy and rising black aspirations

{i} Jamaican religion that aspires to freedom and equality of black people and believes that the Messiah is present

belief in Ras Tafari (Haile Selassie) as the Messiah and that Africa (especially Ethiopia) is the promised land

Synonyms

rasta, rastafari

Etymology

() Rastafarian +‎ -ism, from Amharic ራስተፈሪ (Ras Tafari, “alternative name of Haile Selassie of Ethiopia”), from ራስ (ras, “chief, head”) (from Arabic رأس (ra's)) + ተፈሪ (tafari, “to be feared, fearsome”), from ፈራ (fara, “to fear”)