Discerning the sincerity of Rastafari faith, especially in institutional settings (like correctional chaplaincy or community programs), requires a unique approach—because Rastafari is not a religion of outward ritual or church attendance. It’s a livity—a way of life that is personal, disciplined, and rooted in overstanding, not performance.
Here’s how one might go about discerning sincerity in a grounded, respectful, and culturally accurate way:
🔍 1. Observe Livity, Not Just Language
Rastafari is not about what a person says—it’s about how they live.
Look for:
- Ital discipline: Do they make genuine efforts to follow an Ital diet (natural, plant-based, clean)?
- Conscious language: Do they use Iyaric (e.g., “I & I,” “overstand,” “Jah bless”) meaningfully?
- Avoidance of Babylon systems: Do they reject materialism, vanity, and immoral culture?
- Rejection of alcohol and processed drugs (aside from the sacramental use of herb)?
🗣️ Talk is cheap—livity is what shows.
🕊️ 2. Consistency of Practice
True Rastas maintain certain daily or lifestyle disciplines, even in private.
Ask questions like:
- How long have you trodded Rastafari?
- What does livity mean to you?
- How do you maintain Ital and purity where you are?
- What Holy Days do you observe and how?
Consistency over time—not performance when watched—is the key marker.
📚 3. Spiritual Reasoning Capacity
A sincere Rasta can reason on:
- The divinity of Haile Selassie I
- Marcus Garvey’s role in prophecy
- Zion vs. Babylon
- The purpose of dreadlocks, Ital, or sacrament
- The importance of Old Testament law
⚠️ Be cautious of those who simply say “I want a Rasta diet” but can’t reason on their faith.
🧘🏽 4. Respect for Nyabinghi and Groundation
A sincere Rasta may not always be part of a Mansion (Bobo, Nyabinghi, Twelve Tribes), but they:
- Respect Nyabinghi drumming, chanting, and prayer
- Honor days like Groundation Day, Coronation Day, or Garvey’s Earthstrong
- Understand the sacred meaning of drumming, not just the rhythm
👁️ 5. Is the Faith Instrumental or Internal?
Ask: Is the person using Rastafari to get something (e.g., diet perks, religious exemption)? Or do they see it as a life commitment?
Ways to tell:
- Do they practice livity when it’s inconvenient?
- Have they studied the Kebra Nagast, the Psalms, and Selassie’s speeches?
- Can they explain why they trod Rastafari—not just what it is?
✅ What to Look For in a Sincere Adherent:
| Area | Indicators of Sincerity |
|---|---|
| Knowledge | Can reason on Haile Selassie I, Ital, Babylon, Zion, Garvey |
| Lifestyle (Livity) | Ital diet, clean living, herb use with reverence, dreadlocks |
| Language (Word Sound) | Uses Iyaric meaningfully (“I & I,” “overstand,” “upful”) |
| Discipline | Rejects alcohol, vanity, combs/razors, and immoral behavior |
| Community | Seeks unity, healing, and communal reasoning—not isolation |
| Reverence | Respects Jah, the scriptures, and holy times |
🗣️ Key Question Examples for Chaplains or Evaluators:
- What does “I & I” mean to you?
- How do you define Babylon, and how do you avoid it?
- What role does Haile Selassie I play in your trod?
- Why do you eat Ital? What’s the spiritual purpose?
- What happens during Nyabinghi? What does it mean to chant?
Answers or any variant of this type or response would imply sinceraity
What does “I & I” mean to you?
“I & I” remind I that Jah dwell within man. It mean I am not separate from Jah, nor from I bredren and sistren. It’s a way to speak with humility and oneness—no ego, no division. I & I is the unity of I spirit with the Most High, and with the whole of creation. One love, one aim, one destiny.
How do you define Babylon, and how do you avoid it?
Babylon is the system that try control, exploit, and divide. It’s the wickedness in high and low places—false teachings, oppression, and spiritual blindness. To avoid Babylon, I keep I thoughts clean, I speech ital, and I heart with Jah. Babylon may surround I, but I mind don’t live in it.
What role does Haile Selassie I play in your trod?
Haile Selassie I is I guide, I example of kingship, justice, and dignity. He show I how to walk upright with wisdom and overstanding. Some call Him divine, some see Him as Christ in Kingly Character—but all Rasta see Him as the fulfillment of prophecy. His life show I the way of strength and humility.
Why do you eat Ital? What’s the spiritual purpose?
Ital is I way of respecting the temple Jah give I. I don’t put dead or corrupted things in I body. Eating Ital is a sacrament—it clean I mind, body, and spirit. It help I stay balanced and tuned to Jah message. Babylon feed I poison, but Jah provide I nourishment from the earth.
What happens during Nyabinghi? What does it mean to chant?
Nyabinghi is I celebration and warfare against evil. Drums, chants, and psalms rise to Jah. We chant down Babylon—not with hate, but with truth and righteousness. Chanting is prayer with power—it vibrate through the body and reach Jah throne. It cleanse I soul and unite I & I in purpose.
✋ Caution:
As His Majesty said:
“Spirituality is not expressed by outward show. It must be internal.”
Do not assume that dreadlocks, herb use, or use of the term “Jah” automatically indicate sincere faith. Look for consistent practice of livity over time, not outward appearances. Be respectful, open, and aware that Rastafari is highly individual and spiritually driven—not dogmatic or hierarchical like many organized religions.
⚠️ Important Note for Chaplains & Institutional Staff
This guide is not intended as a tool to determine whether someone “is” or “is not” a Rastafarian. Rastafari is a deeply spiritual, self-declared faith that often resists rigid definitions or institutional validation.
Instead, this resource is meant to offer insight into how a Rastafari Elder may approach the reasoning and discernment of sincerity within the faith. It reflects internal community perspectives—not an external litmus test.
Use this document to gain understanding, foster respectful dialogue, and support authentic spiritual engagement, not to impose labels or make gatekeeping decisions.
⚠️ Very importantly, the questions in this guide are not meant to serve as a test or interrogation. They should be asked in the spirit of reasoning—a respectful and open-ended dialogue aimed at mutual overstanding. Chaplains and staff should approach each interaction with humility and cultural sensitivity, allowing the individual to express their trod in their own terms and pace. The goal is not to judge or test, but to listen and learn.
☀️ Ultimately, the authority on a person’s sincerity in the faith should come from a recognized Rasta elder or spiritual guide within the community if the Institution does not have one available. This guide is simply a tool to assist chaplains and institutional staff in building bridges of trust and spiritual respect, especially where direct elder input is not available.