iTal

ital (pronounced "eye-tal")

is a central concept in the Rastafari faith, referring to a natural, pure, and spiritually aligned way of living—especially in terms of food, health, and conduct. It comes from the word "vital," stripped of its first letter to align with Iyaric, the Rasta spiritual dialect where the letter “I” emphasizes unity with the divine (I & I).
🔑 Meaning: Ital is more than diet — it’s a spiritual discipline. To be Ital is to be in harmony with Jah, nature, and I-self.

Sacred

Conscious

Sacrament

Pasta

📜 Certification Tiers

Level 1 – Ital Conscious

For those in transition or new to Ital livity:
Plant-based with minor allowances (e.g. minimal salt, transitional oils)
No animal products
Disclosure required for any deviations from Ital Pure standards

Level 3 – Ital Sacred

Ceremonial-grade Ital for Holy Days or Nyabinghi gatherings: Prepared in sacred space or tabernacle kitchen.
Follows strict ritual purity and spiritual preparation.
Blessed by Rasta elders or priests

livity

Level 2 – Ital Pure

Fully compliant with core Ital standards:
100% whole-food plant-based
No processed additives, no refined sugar
Salt-free or limited natural salt
Clean environment with intention and livity

Level 4 – Ital Sacrament

For the preparation and use of sacred herb (Cannabis) and food in divine communion
Reserved for deeply spiritual practices such as:
Groundation gatherings
Reasoning circles
Personal meditation under vow

Ital in a Correctional Setting

refers to how followers of the Rastafari faith attempt to maintain a spiritually clean and natural diet—known as Ital—while incarcerated, despite the institutional limitations of prison food systems.
Under human rights laws and institutional policy, inmates can submit a written request for religious dietary accommodation, often through the chaplain or religious services coordinator.

Challenges in Prison:

Challenges in Prison: Correctional facilities are rarely equipped to support full Ital diets. Common issues include:
Lack of plant-based or unprocessed options
Meals high in sodium, preservatives, and meat by-products
Limited ability to prepare or select food
Lack of recognition of Ital as a religious dietary requirement (unlike kosher or halal)

Involve Chaplaincy: A Rastafarian chaplain or spiritual advisor can support and verify the religious basis of the request, especially if the administration challenges it.

Legal Precedent: In Canada and other countries, courts have ruled that prisons must make reasonable efforts to accommodate religious diets unless they pose undue hardship. This can be cited if pushback occurs.

How to Navigate Ital in Prison:

When making the request, it helps to explain that Ital is:
A spiritual obligation
Comparable in seriousness to kosher or halal laws
Based on natural living, not personal preference

When full Ital is not possible, inmates can request:
Vegan or vegetarian trays
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Whole grains (like oats, rice)
No pork or red meat
No canned meats or processed cheese

Need Help Getting Ital Food in Jail?

Contact Sanctuary of the Rastafarian Order (SOTRO) for support in securing Ital meals as part of your religious rights. Whether you're an inmate, family member, or chaplain, SOTRO can help advocate for proper dietary accommodations in line with the Rastafari faith.

📩 Reach out today to protect spiritual health behind the wall.

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