Are There Many
Rastafarians In Jamaica?

Rastafarians In Jamaica

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Rastafarians are a big part of the Jamaican identity. While many won’t admit it, they are held to a high social and moral standard and are easily judged if seen participating in certain activities. Rastas definitely stand out in the Jamaican population and you will more than likely run into them quite often.

This would have probably led many to believe the Jamaican population has a great percentage of Rastafarians. Rastafarians are Jamaica's largest and most visible indigenous movement.

In the mid-1980s, there were approximately 70,000 Rastafari members and sympathizers in Jamaica. The majority were male, working-class, ex-Christians aged 18 to 40.

In the 2011 Jamaican census, only 29,026 people of the 2,697,983 enumerated were identified as Rastafarians.

Rastafari was founded by Jamaica's Afro-Jamaican majority, and while Afro-Jamaicans remain the majority, Rastafari has gained followers from the island's Chinese, Indian, Afro-Chinese, Afro-Jewish, mulatto, and white minorities.

Until 1965, the vast majority were from the lower classes, but it has since attracted many middle-class members, with Jamaican Rastas working as lawyers and university professors by the 1980s.

Rastas frequently extol Jamaica as the source of their faith, and there are many Rastas living there. Rastas revere Jamaica as the source of their faith, and many Rastas from other parts of the world visit the island on pilgrimage.

A common misconception is that if you spot a person with dreadlocks or “locs” for short, then you have spotted a Rastafarian. Which is far from the truth. For many dreadlocks are simply a fashion statement. So do not be surprised when you visit KFC and see a person with dreadlocks in the line.

The Rastafarian religion is not even the most common religious affiliation on the island; it is a minority. According to the most recent census, less than 1% of Jamaica's 2.7 million people identify as Rastafarian.

Church of God (24%), Seventh-day Adventist (11%), Pentecostal (10%), and Baptist (7%), are the most common religious affiliations. Again, Having dreadlocks does not automatically make you a Rasta! But what you will also find is regular appearing, bald-head men, that practice the beliefs of Rastafarians.

Facts about rastas that might shock you:

1. Rastas see the divine in everyone, but they have a special reverence for women - mothers who give birth, or 'womb woman,' as she is known.
   
   
2. For Rastas, the Holy Trinity consists of Father, Son, and Mother. The three fundamental elements of the family; three representations in the creation of human life.
   
   
3. Rastas do not consider marijuana to be a drug. Marijuana, a natural herb created by Jah, serves as a means for them to open their minds, increase their spiritual awareness, and elicit enlightenment.
   
   
4. Rastas believe in positivity and the power of words. As a result, Rastas have developed their own language to ensure that positivity is always in focus and negativity cannot even enter your mouth by accident.
   
   Rastas, for example, will never say "enjoy." A true Rasta will instead say "full-joy" because they do not want to "end" their "joy."
   
   
5. Some deep-rooted rastas never use toothpaste for brushing their teeth. They brush their teeth with baking soda and coconut husk or a branch. Additionally, they do not use soap or shampoo in the shower.
   
   Instead, they substituted limes for soap and ratchet cactus for shampoo. There are even some tribes of rastas that do not wear shoes.
   
   
6. Rastafarians regard Africa as a paradise on Earth, and the movement's central tenet is that all African diaspora's should return to their homeland. Many Rastafarians aspire to return to Africa in their lifetime.
   
   
7. Rastas believe that one should not cut their hair because it is where their strength lies, according to Old Testament scripture (Leviticus 19:27). Dreadlocks grow organically over time.

Watch Video! Rasta Indigenous Village

Looking to learn more about the way of life of Rastafarians in Jamaica, the Indigenous Rasta village in Montego Bay is a great place to begin. Here is a sneak peak of the experience.

Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)

If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more. 

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica! 

Return to Rastafarian History from Rastafarians In Jamaica
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Rastafarians In Jamaica

References & Sources For Rastafarians In Jamaica

1. En.wikipedia.org. 2022. Rastafari - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 August 2022].
2. Exceptional Caribbean – Exceptional Caribbean. 2022. 10 Important Lessons About Rastas That Will Blow Your Mind. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 August 2022].
3. Outpostings. 2022. Jamaican Stereotypes and Why They Aren’t True. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 August 2022].
4. Outpostings. 2022. 10 Things Everyone Should Know About Rastas. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 August 2022].
5. Outpostings. 2022. 10 Things Everyone Should Know About Rastas. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 August 2022].

Rastafarians In Jamaica | Written: August 29, 2022

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

SHOP JAMAICAN Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Our Etsy Store Is Temporarily Closed, But We’re Still Here For You!

   Apr 30, 25 07:02 PM

   Hey family, Just want to take a moment to update you on something important happening with our online shop. As you know, we’ve been proudly sharing

   Read More

2. Is May A Good Time To Visit Jamaica- Coming For My Birthday

   Apr 26, 25 10:22 PM

   I'm coming to Jamaica shortly to celebrate my 60th birthday in May. I hear that is the start of your rainy season. Will I be disappointed? Should

   Read More

3. Rental car In Jamaica

   Apr 26, 25 10:08 PM

   Can I get a reasonable rental car for 4 days? ANSWER: by Wellesley Gayle Hi Geanna! Thanks for asking, yes sure, you can definitely find a reasonable

   Read More

4. looking for a farmer of pimento seeds who would be prepared to ship to UK

   Apr 26, 25 10:00 PM

   Hi, I am looking for a farmer of pimento seeds who would be prepared to ship to UK ANSWER: by Wellesley Gayle Hi Jim! Thanks so much for reaching

   Read More

5. Luggage wrap at Jamaica Airport

   Apr 26, 25 09:45 PM

   Good day, Do you have luggage wrapping available at Montego Bay Airport? ANSWER: by Wellesley Gayle Hi Juleigha! Thanks so much for reaching out

   Read More