Editing Rastafari (section)

=== Grounding ===

[[File:Rastafarians celebrate Marcus Garvey.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A group of Rastas in [[Liberia]] celebrating [[Marcus Garvey]]'s birthday]]
The term "grounding" is used among Rastas to refer to the establishment of relationships between like-minded practitioners.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=55}} Groundings often take place in a commune or yard, and are presided over by an elder.{{sfn|Clarke|1986|p=88}} The elder is charged with keeping discipline and can ban individuals from attending.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=57}} The number of participants can range from a handful to several hundred.{{sfn|Clarke|1986|p=88}} Activities that take place at groundings include the playing of drums, chanting, the singing of hymns, and the recitation of poetry.{{sfnm|1a1=Clarke|1y=1986|1p=88|2a1=Edmonds|2y=2012|2p=54}} [[Cannabis (drug)|Cannabis]], known as ganja, is often smoked.{{sfnm|1a1=Clarke|1y=1986|1p=88|2a1=Edmonds|2y=2012|2p=54}} Most groundings contain only men, although some Rasta women have established their own all-female grounding circles.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=100}}

One of the central activities at groundings is "[[reasoning (Rastafari)|reasoning]]".{{sfnm|1a1=Kebede|1a2=Knottnerus|1y=1998|1p=505|2a1=Fernández Olmos|2a2=Paravisini-Gebert|2y=2011|2p=193|3a1=Edmonds|3y=2012|3p=56|4a1=Chawane|4y=2014|4p=234}} This is a discussion among assembled Rastas about the religion's principles and their relevance to current events.{{sfnm|1a1=Kebede|1a2=Knottnerus|1y=1998|1pp=505–506|2a1=Edmonds|2y=2012|2p=56|3a1=Chawane|3y=2014|3p=234}} These discussions are supposed to be non-combative, although attendees can point out the fallacies in any arguments presented.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|pp=56–57}} Those assembled inform each other about the revelations that they have received through meditation and dream.{{sfn|Clarke|1986|p=88}} Each contributor is supposed to push the boundaries of understanding until the entire group has gained greater insight into the topic under discussion.{{sfn|Clarke|1986|p=57}} In meeting together with like-minded individuals, reasoning helps Rastas to reassure one another of the correctness of their beliefs.{{sfn|Cashmore|1983|p=127}} Rastafari meetings are opened and closed with prayers. These involve [[supplication]] to Jah for the vulnerable and needy, calls for the destruction of the Rastas' enemies, and closing statements of adoration.{{sfn|Barrett|1997|p=125}}

{{Quote box|width=25em|align=left|quote=Princes shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hand unto God. Oh thou God of Ethiopia, thou God of divine majesty, thy spirit come within our hearts to dwell in the parts of righteousness. That the hungry be fed, the sick nourished, the aged protected, and the infant cared for. Teach us love and loyalty as it is in Zion.|source=— Opening passage of a common Rasta prayer{{sfn|Barrett|1997|p=125}} }}

The largest groundings were known as "groundations" or "grounations" in the 1950s, although they were subsequently re-termed "Nyabinghi Issemblies".{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|pp=58–59}} The term "[[Nyabinghi]]" is adopted from the name of a mythical African queen.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=59}} Nyabinghi Issemblies are often held on dates associated with Ethiopia and Haile Selassie.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=60}} These include Ethiopian Christmas (7 January), the day on which Haile Selassie visited Jamaica (21 April), Selassie's birthday (23 July), Ethiopian New Year (11 September), and Selassie's coronation day (2 November).{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=60}} Some Rastas also organise Nyabinghi Issemblies to mark [[Emancipation Day#Jamaica|Jamaica's Emancipation Day]] (1 August) and [[Marcus Garvey]]'s birthday (17 August).{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=60}}

Nyabinghi Issemblies typically take place in rural areas, being situated in the open air or in temporary structures—known as "temples" or "tabernacles"—specifically constructed for the purpose.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=61}} Any elder seeking to sponsor a Nyabinghi Issembly must have approval from other elders and requires the adequate resources to organise such an event.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|pp=60–61}} The assembly usually lasts between three and seven days.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=61}} During the daytime, attendees engage in food preparation, ganja smoking, and reasoning, while at night they focus on drumming and dancing around bonfires.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=61}} Nyabinghi Issemblies often attract Rastas from a wide area, including from different countries.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=61}} They establish and maintain a sense of solidarity among the Rasta community and cultivate a feeling of collective belonging.{{sfn|Edmonds|2012|p=61}} Unlike in many other religions, [[rites of passage]] play no role in Rastafari;{{sfn|Semaj|2013|p=106}} on death, various Rastas have been given Christian funerals by their relatives, as there are no established Rasta funeral rites.{{sfn|Semaj|2013|p=107}}