Rastafari English is a dialect primarily spoken by Rastafari Jamaicans. Rastafari is easier to learn than Patois Jamaican because Rastafari is a pun on English, not a completely separate dialect like Patois Jamaican. The Rastafari movement, which began in the 1930s in Jamaica, is based on positive beliefs such as unity, peace and one love. So, the Rastafari language is a reflection of these positive beliefs.
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Part 1 of 3: Learning Basic Rastafari Words
Step 1. Understand the pronunciation of words in Rastafari
Rastafari persists as a spoken language, so pronunciation is very important when you are trying to speak Rastafari.
- In Rastafari, you don't pronounce the "h" in English. So, “thanks” becomes “tanks”, “three” becomes “tree”, and so on.
- Just like before, Rastafarians don't pronounce the "th" in English either. So, "the" becomes "di", "them" becomes "dem", and "that" becomes "dat".
Step 2. Learn to use the term “I and I”
In Rastafari, "I and I", pronounced "eye an' eye", is an important term. The term refers to the unity of Jah (the Rastafarian name for "God", the Ethiopian emperor Ras Tafari Haile Selassie I) in each person. “I and I” is a term that reinforces the Rastafari belief that Jah is in all people, and all people exist as one unit, united by Jah.
- "I and I" can be used to replace "you and I" in a sentence. For example: “And I am going to de concert.” This means that you and someone else are going to a concert.
- But the term can also be used when talking about something you are doing yourself, or for short, for "me, myself, and I" (me, myself, and I). Like: “I and I going to de concert”. This means you will be going to a concert alone.
- “I” is also used as a pun on certain English words, such as “I man” for “inner man”, or a believing Rastafari. Rastas call it “Inity”, not “unity”.
Step 3. Learn how to say “hello” (hello), “goodbye” (goodbye), and “thank you”
Most Rastafarians don't use certain words in English because they have an "evil" sounding connotation. For example, the word “hello” contains the words “hell” and “lo”, which refer to “low”.
- To say “hello”, use: “Wagwaan” or “Yes I”.
- To say "goodbye", use: "Me a go", or "Lickle bit".
- To say "thank you", use "Give thanks" or "Praise Jah".
Step 4. Understand the words “Rasta”, “Jah Jah”, and “dread”
A Rastafari calls themselves a “Rasta”, or calls another fellow Rastafari a “Rasta”.
- “Jah Jah” is used to praise Jah or refer to Jah. For example. “Jah Jah protect mi fam mi enemy dem.” In English, it means: "Jehovah protects me from my enemies."
- “Dread” refers to the dreadlocks (dreadlocks) worn by Rastafarians as a spiritual practice. It is also used to describe something or a Rastafari, or to be seen as a positive influence.
- For example: “Dread, mon”. In English, it means: “Cool, man.” (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 referred to as a "ball head", a play on the term "bald head". For example, Bob Marley sang his song “Crazy Baldheads”: “Wi guh chase dem crazy Ball head outta town.” The lyrics translate to: “We gonna chase those crazy people without dreads out of town.” (We're going to chase those dreadless madmen out of town).”
Step 5. Learn common Rastafari words like “Babylon”, “politricks” and “irie”
These words are key words in the Rastafari language because they refer to important concepts in Rastafari culture.
- “Babylon” is a Rastafari word for policemen, viewed by Rastafarians as part of a corrupt system of government. “Babylon”, which refers to the Biblical rebellion against God through the Tower of Babel, can also be used to describe a person or organization who oppress innocent people.
- For example: “Babylon deh cum, yuh hav nutten pan yuh?” In English, this sentence translates to: “The police are coming, do you have anything on you?”
- “Politricks” is a Rasta term for “politics” (politics). There is a general skepticism of authority figures in Rastafari circles, including politicians. So, they are seen as tricksters (cheaters), or full of "tricks" (tricks).
- “Irie” is one of the most important terms in the Rastafari language. The term includes a positive view of Rastafari culture and their belief that "everything is irie" or "everything is good".
- For example, “Mi nuh have nutten fi complain bout, mi life irie.” In English, this sentence translates to: "I don't have anything to complain about, my life is good."
Step 6. Understand the words for “man” (male) and “woman” (woman)
Rastafarians are centered on the belief in oneness with all people. So, Rastas regard people as their “Idren”, the word for the English version of “children” (children).
- A boy (boy) is called "bwoy" by Rastas. A girl (girl) is called "gal" by Rastas. If a Rasta was asking other Rastas about their children, they would refer to the children as “pickneys”, or “gal pickneys”.
- Rastas refer to male adults as “bredren”. Female adults are called “systren”.
- A Rasta man refers to their wife or lover as their "empress" or "queen". For example: “My cyaah cum tomorrow, mi a guh spen sum time wid mi empress.” This sentence translates to: "I can't come tomorrow, I'm going to spend time with my girlfriend."
Step 7. Understand the use of positive words over negative words
Rastas replace words that have negative terms like “down” or “under” with “up” or “out”. For example:
- Rastas will say "downpression" and not "oppression". This is because “op” is Rastafari for “up” so “downpression” indicates that something is pulling someone down.
- Rastas will say “overstanding” or “innerstanding” instead of “understanding”.
- Rastas will say “overstanding” or “innerstanding” instead of “understanding”.
- Rastas will say “outernational” instead of “international”. This signifies that Rastas feel that the whole world lies outside their territory or world.
Step 8. Learn swear words in Rastafari
There are some swear words in Rastafari that sound unique. These words usually refer to something that threatens an individual or that individual's function.
- “Fiyah bun” is an expression used to threaten someone or something loudly.
- For example: "Fiyah bun babylon kaaz dem eva deh taament people." This sentence translates to: "I denounce the police because they are always torrenting poor people." (I reproach the police because they always torture the poor people)
- Bag o wire” is an expression referring to a “betrayer” or “traitor” (traitor). The word was originally intended for a close friend of Marcus Garvey, a black political leader, who betrayed him by revealing details of his (Marcus) escape plan.
- For example: “Mi nuh truss deh bredren deh kaaz him a bag o wire.” This sentence translates to: "I don't trust that man because he is a traitor."
- “Bumba clot” or “Rass clot” are strong swear words in the Rastafari language. “Clot” is considered a dirty-sounding word and can be related to the verb “to clout” (to incite), or “to hit or strike”. It can also refer to sanitary napkins that have been used, where this is where the dirty aspect of the word comes from.
Part 2 of 3: Learning Basic Rastafari Phrases
Step 1. Practice saying "what's up"
In Rastafari, you say “Bredren wa gwaan” when greeting a friend you meet on the street.
Other Rastas might respond with: “Bwai, ya done know seh mi deya gwaan easy.” Meaning: "I'm here just taking it easy."
Step 2. Practice asking someone where they are from
In Rastafari, you can ask someone where they are from or where they were born by saying: “A weh ya baan?”
Other Rastas might respond with: “Mi baan inna Kingston”, which translates to: “I was born in Kingston.”
Step 3. Learn how to say “see you later”
A Rastafari will end a casual conversation with:
- "Yeh man, lickle more, seen?" This sentence translates to: “Ok see you later.”(Okay, see you later)
- Another Rasta would reply: "Lickle more." This sentence translates to: “For sure, see you later.”
- A conversation in Rastafarian may go something like this:
- A conversation in Rasatafari can go something like this:
- "Bredrin, wagwaan?"
- "Bwai, ya done know seh mi deyagwaan easy."
- "Yes I, a so it go still. Not 'n nagwaan, but we a keep in faith, nuh true?"
- "True. How de pickneydem stay?"
- "Bwai, dem right."
- "Yeh man, lickle more, seen?"
- "Lickle more."
- The translation of the conversation in English might be something like this:
- "What's up, man?" (How are you friend)
- "Not much, just taking it easy." (Not much of a problem, I'm fine)
- "Yeah, that's how it is. Times are hard but we have to keep the faith, isn't that right?" (Yes, it's like that. The days are tough but we still have to have faith, right?)
- "Yeah. How are your kids?" (Yes. How are your children?)
- "They're alright." (They are fine)
- "Great, see you later." (Good, see you later)
- "See you later." (See you later)
Part 3 of 3: Understanding Rastafari Culture
Step 1. Understand the history of the Rastafari language
The Rastafari language grew out of the Rastafari movement, a social and religious movement based in Jamaica. Although the movement is largely unorganized, Rastafarians are united on several strong beliefs:
- Belief in the heritage beauty of black Africans.
- The belief that Ras Tafari Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, is the Messiah of the Bible. The emperor is also believed to be the Conqueror of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. This is the reason why the lion is seen as a powerful symbol by the Rastafari people.
- The belief in repatriation to Ethiopia, also referred to by Rastas as “Zion”, is 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.
- Belief in the events of the fall of "Babylon" (Tower of Babel), the corrupt world of white people, and the restoration of the power structure of slaves and masters.
Step 2. Study the key sources of knowledge of the Rastafari movement
The Bible is a sacred text for Rastafarians. This is why Bob Marley's lyrics, for example, are full of biblical references to the book of Exodus and to the Holy Land.
- Rastas take Bible study very seriously and will quote and discuss gospel passages. They believe that the Bible tells the true story of black history. They also felt that Christian ministers had misled the people by presenting wrong interpretations of the Bible, especially the use of the Bible to justify slavery.
- Rastas also refer to official documents such as “The Promised Key” and The Living Testament of Rasta-for-I. But most scholars agree that there is no central Rastafarian doctrine, as Rastas oppose organized systems or schools of thought. In fact, Rastas believe that one should participate in the reflection and interpretation of their experience and of their own beliefs about Rasta beliefs.
Step 3. Learn the importance of “I-tal”
Rastas use the word "I-tal" to refer to food that is still in its original condition. “I-tal” food is untouched by modern chemicals and contains no preservatives, seasonings, or salt.
- Most Rastas follow the “I-tal” practice and some of them are vegetarians. Rastas who eat meat usually avoid eating pork because pigs are seen as scavengers of the dead.
- Alcohol, coffee, milk, and flavored drinks like soda are also considered not "I-tal".
- Often, Rastas say: “Man a rasta man, noodles only nyam ital food.” which means "I am a Rastafarian, I only eat natural foods."
Step 4. Understand the role of the cannabis plant in Rastafari culture
We all know the common image of a Rasta with dreadlocks then smoking marijuana or “herbs” as Rastas call it. Apart from making you feel “envy”, smoking marijuana plays an important role in Rastafari life. This behavior is considered a sacred ritual in Rasta culture.
For Rastas, this “holy herb” is of great value because it has physical, psychological, and therapeutic powers
Step 5. Recognize the notion of “everliving life”
Rastas adhere to the understanding of "everliving life", and not "everlasting life" (eternal life). They do not believe in the end of life, or the "last" part of life. In fact, Rastas believe in eternal life or eternal life.
This does not mean that Rastas believe that they will live forever. However, they only think that "everlasting life" is a negative view of "fullness" in life
Tips
- Listen to the reggae songs of singers such as Bob Marley and The Wailers, PatoBanton, Patra and Damian Marley to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation of the Rastafari language and culture. Look closely at the lyrics of the song and try to identify certain basic words or phrases.
- There are also recordings and videos of how to speak Jamaican available on the internet. Since Rastafari is a spoken language, listening to Jamaicans speak Rastafari will help you to get a feel for the rhythm and tone of Rastafarian words.
Warning
- Some Jamaicans who hear you speaking Rastafarian will consider you a poser, especially if you are white. Try speaking Rastafari to Jamaicans at a Jamaican bar or cafe and judge their reactions. Remember some people in these establishments may take offense to your attempts at Rastafarian and see it as insulting. So be prepared for some teasing from the real Jamaicans, though likely all in good fun.
- Some Jamaicans who hear you speak Rastafari will perceive you as a show-off, especially if you are white. Try speaking Rastafari to Jamaicans in a Jamaican bar or cafe and rate their reactions. Remember, some of the people in this experiment may be offended by your attempt to speak Rastafari and take it as an insult. So, be prepared to face ridicule from native Jamaicans, even if it's probably all just for fun.
