The Rastafarian temple: The birth of the movement of Rastafari can be officially fixed in Ethiopia during the coronation of the prince Ras Tafari Makonnan (Haile Selassie) on November 2, 1930. A year earlier Marcus Garvey had a prophetic vision, seeing a king be crowned in Africa. The Psalms confirmed: "A Prince shall come out of Egypt, and Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hand unto Jah". The prophecy was fullfilled and these people were the first Rastafarians.

Yankie wearing many sacred symbols.

Benj, an elder

Evening in the community house at St Agnes Place

Ganja is considered the "wisdom weed" by Rastafarians, as its use helps one to gain wisdom. Rastafarians use it as a part of a religious rite and as a means of getting closer to their inner spiritual self, Jah (God) and Creation. Ganga, "Healing of the nations', also known as hemp, cannabis, or marijuana, is used as a holy sacrament by Rastas in many ways. The legend says that the Holy Herb was found growing on the King Solomon's grave.

Ras Napthali, an environmental activist and community organizer

Ganja is seen by Rastafarians as the herb of life mentioned in the Bible. The use of ganja is justified by the following Psalms 104:14 that says, "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth." It was found growing at the grave of King Solomon in the Bible.

Ben, a Rap artist

The community center

Dreadlocks are a part of the biblical Nazarene vow, who prohibits to shave and comb the hair.

family

Inside the temple the Bible is read daily. The King James Version is the one used by Rastafarians. Published in 1611 and has been the Standard English version for nearly 400 years. All other versions are believed corrupt with this version being closest to the original manuscripts.

Yankee inside the temple

Seymour the Chaplain, in front of the Rasta headquarters following a drug raid which resulted in the demolition of the buildings. The court case subsequently collapsed and no one was charged.

Solomon runs workshops in North London for young Black youth

A young lad visiting from Ethiopia

Rickie

Pride in roots. Repatriation, the desire to return to Africa after 400 years of slavery, is central to Rastafari doctrine.

Rastafarian music in the park

Rastafarian house, West London

Lidj, musician and "Defender of the Faith" celebrating at home on eve of his wedding at The Orthodox Ethiopian Church in London.

Jah Blue; The drum is a symbol of the Africanness of Rastafari, and some mansions assert that Jah's spirit of divine energy is present in the drum.

To be a Rasta is to live in accordance with the laws of nature. Diet should avoid meat, and above all, pork, alcohol, and food of unknown sources.

Nyabinghi music is the most integral form of Rastafarian music. It is played at worship ceremonies called grounations, that include drumming, chanting and dancing, along with prayer and smoking of ritual ganja.

The locks, because of their appearance, symbolizes the roots of the man, and his spirituality, the link with Jah. As Marcus Garvey said, "a man without knowing of his past is like a tree without roots". They can also be seen as a symbol of the Lion, Haile Selassie I.

The Rastafarian flag is the old Ethiopian flag with the Lion of Judah symbol. The red symbolizes the blood of black people, the yellow the stolen gold and the green the lost lands of Africa.