The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Rastafarianism
a religious-cultural movement that began (1930s) in Jamaica. Rastafarians believe that Haile Selassie, also named Ras Tafari, the last emperor of Ethiopia (d. 1975), is the Messiah. They tend to reject European culture and ideas and are particularly noted for their use of marijuana. Reggae music is heavily influenced by Rastafarianism. There are some 180,000 Rastafarians worldwide.
