By Redaction ARPS with AP
The Rastafari movement is gaining recognition in Kenya, which officially recognized it as a valid religion in 2019 following a court case involving a schoolgirl who was expelled for keeping her dreadlocks. The opening of the newest Rastafari place of worship, just outside Kenya’s capital (original article), also contributed to this recognition.
Rastafarians view Emperor Haile Selassie I as divine and consider Ethiopia a symbol of resistance against colonization. In Kenya, the movement comprises three main branches, also known as “mansions.” Members express dissatisfaction with conventional Christianity and highlight past discrimination.
Despite facing stereotypes and challenges, Rastafarianism attracts younger individuals seeking a spiritual lifestyle that is connected to nature and community, although the exact number of Rastafarians in Kenya is unclear in a predominantly Christian and Muslim population.
