Defence Rastafari Network visit DIO Head Office

The DIO Faith and Belief Forum warmly welcomed the Defence Rastafari Network (DRN) Chair and fellow DIO colleague and Rastafarian to a Coffee Chat session at DIO Head Office which included an audience of colleagues from across the UK, overseas and wider MOD departments.

The founding of the Rastafari religion and movement, a young, Africa-centred religion developed in Jamaica in the 1930s, following the coronation of Haile Selassie I (pre coronation name Ras Tafari Makonnen) as Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930 (1930-1974). Early followers of Rastafari extolled the belief that Selassie was the Second Coming of God (Jah in Rastafari). The Haile fled Ethiopia during 1936 when the Italian army under Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) and lived in exile at Fairfield House, Bath, England for four years while he continued the political fight for the Independence of Ethiopia.

During the Coffee Chat our Rastafari answered questions and kindly shared their lived experiences from both a personal and professional perspective. During the session we understood that beliefs and practices vary from person to person and also learned about some of the doctrines important to Rastafari’s including an Ital diet (natural, vegetarian food free from chemicals, and preservatives), no alcohol, and traditional music that includes chanting and drumming to reach states of heightened spirituality. Noting MOD has a strict zero tolerance approach to drugs policy the wisdom weed or the holy herb (marijuana) can be used by Rastafari’s to heighten feelings of community.

Rastafarians refrain from cutting their hair as an expression of an inner spirit in accordance with the Old Testament scripture Leviticus 19:27, ‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard’. The wearing of the hair in dreadlocks is believed to be spiritual, their hair is their crown, and no it’s not ok to assume you can touch it.

Rastafari is the fastest growing religion in Defence. The DRN symbol the Lion of Judah is a prominent symbol representing Emperor Haile Selassie I as well as being a symbol of strength, kingship, pride and African sovereignty. The DRN serves to mitigate unconscious bias against Rastafari's and maximise the potential of its community through mentorship and empowerment. The DRN is a point of contact for the chain of command at every level providing specific advice, education and informing policy which impacts on Rastafari’s.