Rastafari is rightly associated with Jamaica, for the religion was born here in the 1930's. Rastafari is an Abrahamic faith that adheres to much of The Bible, though Rastafaris worship Haile Selassie I, former emperor of Ethiopia.
Rastafari culture rejects many of the conditions of modern society they consider degenerate, including materialism, oppression and sensual pleasures. They refer to this corrupt version of society as "Babylon," which is directly opposite of "Zion," the promised land, often considered Ethiopia.
Arguably the best-known Rastafari is the late Bob Marley. The international star introduced much of the world to the tenets of Rastafari, including the smoking of ganja (marijuana), which the Rasta consider a spiritual act. The sacramental smoking of ganja became legal in Jamaica in April 2015.
While many Rastas choose not to cut their hair, and wear dreadlocks, it is not an absolute for believers.