Women in Rastafari

The role of women in Rastafari

The role of women may differ according to the orders set in the Movement. This being the most stereotypical.

• Women are known as Queens;
• The main role of women is to look after her King;
• Women are regarded as subordinate to men;
• Women are regarded as housekeepers and child bearers;
• Women must not commit infidelity;
• Women are not called to Rastafari except through their husbands;
• Women cannot be leaders;
• Men are the spiritual head of the family;
• Women must not cook for their husbands when menstruating;
• Women must not wear makeup, nor dress in promiscuous clothing, or use chemicals in their hair;
• Women must not use birth control, as it is regarded as a European tactic to suppress the development of the population. This builds on the Old Testament prophecy that says "The seeds of Israel shall be numberless" (Isaiah 48:19);
• Women must also abstain from abortion which is regarded as murder;
• Women must cover their hair to pray, in keeping with the Biblical teaching in 1Corinthians 11:3-5.

Isaiah (Yeshayah) 48:19
¹⁹ Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before Me.

1Corinthians (Kehillah in Corinth I) 11:3-5

³ But I would have you know, that Rebbe, the Messiah is the head of every man; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of the Messiah is God. ⁴ Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. ⁵ But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.