Evidence of Rastafari-My Experience in Jamaica

One important thing to keep in mind while reading the Wikipedia entry on the Rastafari movement is allegory. In order to understand Rastafari one must understand it from a Rasta's point of view. If one does not, one will not fully comprehen the concepts. For example without an allegorical frame of mind it is hard to accept that Rastas believe that smoking pot results in Enlightenment.

Relating my experience to the article...
"Rastafari developed among an oppressed people who felt society had nothing to offer them except more sufferign"
Wikipedia states that the Rastafari movement emerged among the working class and peasant black people. It also states that there were confrontations between poor black Rastas and middle-class police. Jamaica society is set up much differently that America's. I was amazed to see the poorest of shacks at ground level yet right above the shacks on a hill would be grand mansions. Since they live so close, it would be hard for poor Jamaicans to share the same religion as the upper class since the division of life is so prominent. The Rastafari message encourages Rastas to be content with who they are and their lifestyle. It encourages them to not be envious of the rich. This message would appeal to the poor since would be so easy for them to envy the rich because they can see their lifestyle everyday from their own shack. Rastafari gives people a way to deal with their reality and a purpose to live each day, even if it is in poverty.

Smoking cannabis
An important place to visit for any Rasta is the Bob Marley Museum, which was a Marley's former residency since 1975 in Kingston, Jamaica. The Museum is engulfed in lush vegetation, an important part of the Rasta faith. On one side of the museum is Rita Marley's organic garden. It is still as healthy as it was when she lived there with Bob. It is said to be the healthiest garden in all of Jamaica. This relates to the Rasta view of the importance of natural earth. On the other side of the house is the oak tree, which was Bob Marley's favorite place to smoke. His cannabis plant is still in the yard and is still extremely healthy.
In my tour group were three men, one was from Jamaica and the other two were from other Caribbean islands. When we were standing by the oak tree they started to smoke their joints ni rememberance of Bob Marley. The tour guide told them that it was illegal to smoke but they could not understand...they stated that Bob Marley would have wanted them to smoke there. And this is probably true...this relates to the part of the article where Rastas smoke to gain Enlightment and to be at one with the earth and to exert their consciousness.
Going to Jamaica helped me to better understand Rastafari in two ways: it allowed me to see the purpose the religion serves for the lower class. Since they live next door (literally) to the rich it would be easy for them to be envious but Rastafari encourages them to love the earth which does not require any wealth, to not be obsessed with materialism, and to just love who they are. Secondly, by visiting the Bob Marley Museum and my interaction with the three Rastas, it is obvious that Rastas never forget their past and the founders of their religion; they have deep respect for them.