How to Perform A Rasta Wedding

Overview

A Rasta wedding is simply a marriage of two Rasta's, and in many ways is not very different from a traditional wedding. In any type of wedding you'll find the common themes of vows, guests or witnesses, celebratory music and foods. The special and unique Rasta wedding can be found more in terms of decoration and presentment.

The Rastafari movement emerged in Jamaica during the 1930, primarily in the working class, as another form of religious interpretation. It is centered on the individual's journey to find the "true self", rather than conforming to any centralized order or set of rules. There is a very wide variety of beliefs which fall under the category of Rasta.

A Rasta wedding is not the somber affair that one would encounter in many traditional wedding ceremonies. It would very much reflect Jamaican culture, and should be rich in color, music, and festivity. The Rastafari see a marriage as the ultimate joining of souls, and approach it with complete cheer.

The colors you would likely find at a Rasta wedding would be red, green, and yellow, which are also the colors of the Rasta flag. Red represents the blood of the black slaves; green is a symbol for the lands that were stolen from the blacks in Africa, and yellow stands for the gold that was lost through slavery.

The women attending a Rasta wedding would likely be wearing mishananas. At first look, mishananas are similar to Indian saris. They wrap loosely around the body and are usually done in vivid colors in lightweight semi sheer fabrics similar to chiffon. Unlike sari's, the mishananas are two pieces, with a separate skirt that is always lined for modesty.

Entertainment and food would be the highlight at any Rasta wedding. It would include lively Jamaican music and perhaps dancers performing traditional Jamaican dances such as the Cow Dance. Drumming groups are also found at the wedding parties, as drumming is a highly acclaimed art in the islands.

A wide variety of food is available to choose from when planning a Rasta wedding. The menu could include Jerked Chicken and Rice, Curried Goat, Brown Stew Fish, or Pepperpot Soup. The list is really endless as so many delicious recipes to choose from.

Because of the diverse belief's that abound under the umbrella of the Rastafari, expect no two weddings to be the same. The religion is wonderful in its diversity, and so are the ceremonies.