However, this has also made this minority community (about 1-2 percent of the island’s population) a target of institutions and systems. Rastafarians have a long history of standing up to The Man and advocating for freedom. Then, they participate in debates on the religion’s principles and discuss its ideas relevant to current affairs. Discussing communal issues and smoking ganja to produce heightened spiritual states is common. Nyabinghi involves playing music, where devotees can sing, chant and pray together. One of the sacred and purposeful uses for ganja in Rastafari culture is for Nyabinghi, also known as reasoning sessions. Rastas value the plant as a sacrament and use it for religious rituals and as an entheogen. One of these cash crops was - you guessed it: ganja. In these communes, they grew cash crops to become self-sustaining. Many early practitioners of Rastafari lived in communes to avoid persecution from broader society.
First thing’s first: what is Rastafari? It is a religious movement for Black Jamaicans that believes in the eventual and worldwide redemption of Black people through the hands of a Black Messiah, bringing about a return to Africa. Most people probably heard about the Rastafari religion and culture by listening to Bob Marley, arguably one of the most prominent Rastafarians who was also instrumental in increasing the popularity of both the religion and plant. Demystifying Rastafari Photo by: Ueli Frey Although, that’s not so much the case in countries like Canada, where legalization has done a small part in helping combat stigma. In that way, cannabis use can bring out marginalization and stigmatization. As Comitas notes that “The social factor is vital to the understanding of cannabis in Jamaica.”Īccording to Comitas, others view cannabis use as a marker of class.
That is, to perform manual labour, and they regularly consume ganja with this objective. Yes, you read that right - the exact opposite of what most Westerners think of cannabis.Īlmost universally, users maintain that ganja enhances their ability to work. Aside from a belief that cannabis has great medicinal properties, one possible explanation for the proclivity of the working class towards ganja is their perception of its ability to increase work capacity. Generally, ganja is either consumed as part of a tea or smoked. Through friend circles and by watching family members, most people become keenly aware of cannabis use and treat it as a part of social life and daily life. By comparison, middle-class and upper-class people are more likely to shun cannabis and look down on users. In his essay “ The Social Nexus of Ganja in Jamaica“, Anthropologist Lambros Comitas notes that working-class individuals, particularly, are involved with cannabis.
In fact, researchers have noted the prevalence of cannabis use in two main groups: the working class and Rastafarians. However, cannabis use is indeed part of the daily lives of many groups. There are definitely people who look down upon it. One of the prevailing myths about the history and culture of ganja in Jamaica is the idea that smoking is widespread throughout the island and that there is close to no stigmatization.Įven as much as everyone thinks that everyone smokes herb in Jamaica, not everyone does. Ganja for the Masses? Photo by: Rock Staar Today, many terms that enjoy continued use in Jamaica surrounding cannabis have their origins from this over a hundred-year-old cultural exchange.
Specifically, this cultural and product exchange goes back to approximately 1845 Workers brought their plants with them along with their knowledge of how to cultivate and use them. Indeed, many cite India as one of the oldest civilizations to dabble in doobies. Many people assume the word “ganja” originated in Jamaica - it actually comes from Indian indentured servants who were forcibly brought to Jamaica by the British to work in sugar plantations. In Jamaica, cannabis enjoys a reputation as a cultural phenomenon, religious sacrament and tourist attraction. Ganja is the preferred name for cannabis in this island nation of 3 million people. Indian Origins Image by: Edwin Binney 3rd Collection Hopefully, these factoids about the cannabis culture of Jamaica will help you have a clearer view of how things go down in this gorgeous island country. Stumbling into sensationalism and exoticization when talking about cannabis cultures worldwide is easy. Yet, most people still have a muddled view of the history and culture of ganja in Jamaica. Jamaica is known internationally for its associations with cannabis.