Ital is Vital
The Rastafarian way of life centers around remaining true to oneself, which in turn emphasizes a need to have an all-natural lifestyle. The need to be one with nature is especially true when it comes to the Rastafarian diet known as Ital. This word is derived from the word “vital” because it stresses that emphasis on being one with the environment and how this is vital to being an in tact person. Food is actually an extremely important part to the Rastafarian way of life; it provides life, which is how Rastas feel it connects so much to mother nature and also to divinity. For Rastafarians, this diet means: no meat, no salt, no chemicals, no alcohol – only fresh, natural food that has not been processed and that is vegan.
The website article “Dread History” focuses on the place of Rastafarianism in the diaspora and the many aspects of the religion. The Rastafarian religion has a deep “roots” culture, which builds upon the idea that whenever slavery began, people were taken away from their homeland, or from their roots. Rastafarianism involves a distinct calendar, specific dialects, and a strict vegan diet, which is known as Ital. Ital, or the vegan style of eating that is carried out by those who follow Rastafarianism can be seen in the meals and ice cream offered by this shop. This shows that even the food, a part of culture and identity, is influenced by the old practices of the religion that was found in the Caribbean.
Here are some other Ital food shops around Flatbush for you to check out:
Ital Fusion:
2085 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210
Ital Kitchen:
1032 Union St, Brooklyn, NY 11225
As I mentioned before, food is considered life blood to Rastafarians, and it is extremely important for them to keep that life blood pure and nourished; it is vital. Keeping to natural, untouched foods are just one way they stay healthy; they also turn to organic remedies when it comes to healing themselves.
Religion in Healing
One interesting aspect of Flatbush that I noticed was the medicine shop that I saw during our walking tour. It was specifically centered around healing practices that related to Rastafarian beliefs. The culture of the Caribbean shows in the old traditions used in the healing methods related to certain religions. From the tour, I know that the methods and items are very holistically based, which goes along with Rastafarian beliefs and ties to natural remedies. Some of these natural roots and herbs are listed below:
Turmeric:
A potent and powerful root that has been used in healing for thousands of years as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, natural painkiller, anti-depressant and liver detoxifier. Studies have shown that it can help with arthritis, auto immune diseases and dementia.
Dill Seed:
Aids digestion and helps the body discard toxins, gas, waste material, germs and disease. Furthermore, some of the uses for dill were relief for the symptoms of hangovers, hemorrhoids, insomnia, loathing, lust, pains, swellings, teething venereal disease, vomiting, and ulcers.
Holy Basil, or Tulsi:
Aids in the treatment of stress by calming the central nervous system, improving cellular immunity, improving stamina, reducing blood pressure and heart rate, decreasing intestinal mobility, as an antioxidant, anti bacterial anti fungal and anti viral.
The Beat of the Diaspora
Walking down Flatbush avenue, I could hear music being played; we were even given a performance of a man playing the steel drums. I found that music has its own special connection to religion in the Caribbean. A website article called “Rastafarianism in the Caribbean” focuses on Rastafarianism specifically in the Caribbean. I wanted to discuss how the religion affects the more social aspects and habits of people’s lives and how that may have been carried over to New York City. Social aspects such as communal meetings were very important in Jamaica, where there is ritual smoking of marijuana, and the playing of drum music. This sense of community through a certain religion was most definitely carried over to the states and can be seen in how people interact with each other, especially if they see a commonality of Rastafarianism. Also, this central theme of music, and especially drums, can be seen and heard throughout the streets of a Caribbean community, as I mentioned before with the playing of music in the streets.
Works Cited:
https://www.rastaseed.com/plant-medicine/
https://caribbeanreligionuvm.wordpress.com/category/ital-living/
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/migrations/rasta/rasessay.html
