Rastafarian Women in Britain: Identity, Resistance, and the Journey to Faith

When we think of the vibrant tapestry of Black British culture, Rastafarianism stands out as a symbol of spiritual strength, cultural pride, and creative defiance. Yet the stories and voices of Rastafarian women in Britain remain less heard—often overshadowed by reggae legends or male icons of the faith. In this in-depth exploration, we shine a light on the lives, challenges, and triumphs of rasta women, tracing their paths of identity, resistance, and spiritual journey in a country shaped by migration, struggle, and renewal.

Roots and Routes of Rasta Women

Step inside a London Caribbean community center, a smoky reggae night in Birmingham, or a family kitchen in Bristol, and you’ll find British Black women who carry the tradition of Rastafari with grace and conviction. From the flowing skirts and distinctive locks of the female rastafarian, to the quiet wisdom passed down by women Rastafarians who stood firm when Rasta was still misunderstood, their experiences offer insight into survival, hope, and self-definition.

But where do these journeys begin? And how do they unfold against the unique backdrop of Britain’s cities, suburbs, and history?

The Birth of the Rastafarian Movement in the UK

The story of Rastafarian women in Britain is inseparable from the journeys of the British Caribbean diaspora. The Windrush generation and later waves of Caribbean migrants brought with them a complex spiritual toolkit: Christianity, Obeah, folk wisdom—and, for a minority, the emerging Rasta faith.

Influenced by the teachings of Marcus Garvey (whose message of Black pride and African repatriation resonated powerfully in post-war Britain), the Rastafarian movement in the UK took root in the 1960s and 1970s. Women like Sheeba Levi Stewart Rasta and Sister Benji Uwimana Rastafari became early pillars—organizing gatherings, supporting families, and advocating for holistic well-being.

Haile Selassie and Rasta Womanhood

Central to the Rasta faith is the divinity of Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, seen as messiah and living God by believers. For female rasta followers, Selassie’s image as a unifier, a symbol of Black sovereignty and dignity, became a potent source of empowerment—especially in a society where Black women often faced racism and invisibility.

Rasta Identity and Resistance: A Double-Edged Journey for Women

For many Rastafarian and women, the journey to faith in Britain was an act of resistance, not just against racism but against patriarchy—both within and outside the movement.

1. The Challenge of Patriarchy in Rastafari

While Rasta communities celebrate the “empress” as a vital counterpart to the “kingman,” women sometimes encountered rigid gender roles and expectations regarding modesty, family, and public leadership. Trailblazers like Sister Benji Uwimana Rastafari challenged these boundaries by teaching, speaking at forums, and representing Rasta on interfaith councils—asserting that women’s spiritual insight and leadership are indispensable.

2. Resistance to Mainstream Stereotypes

Outside Rasta circles, rasta women navigated a world quick to stereotype: dreadlocks as “rebellious,” Rasta dress as “unprofessional,” or women’s assertion of Black beauty and self-love as somehow radical. Many used their distinctiveness—locks, natural hair, conscious speech, Ital foodways—as expressions of resistance and self-definition.

Spiritual Practice and Everyday Life: The Female Rasta Experience

Life as a female Rastafarian in Britain is marked by the interplay of ritual, community, and daily challenge.

• Spiritual Rituals: Prayer, drumming, and chanting (nyabinghi); studying the Bible through a Black liberation lens; reverence for Africa.
• Health and Diet: Emphasis on natural (Ital) foods, herbal remedies, and holistic lifestyle—a thread of self-care and wellness that is newly recognized in mainstream “wellness” circles.
• Community Building: Organizing women’s circles, charity events, and educational workshops, often focusing on youth, mental health, and parenthood.

These daily practices fuse faith with activism, fostering resilience in families and neighbourhoods.

Diaspora Identity: The British Rasta Woman’s Balance

How does a Rasta woman in Britain navigate being both Caribbean and British? The answers are as varied as the women themselves.

• Some emphasize return and reconnection with Jamaica, Ethiopia, or “Africa”—incorporating African spirituality, drumming, and dance into British contexts.
• Others blend Rasta faith with British urban experiences—using reggae, grime, art and poetry to voice hybrid identities.

This unique blend allows Black women and Rastafari in Britain to challenge both colonial legacies and new forms of exclusion, reminding their communities that the roots of strength run deep and wide.

Stories of Faith, Family, and Leadership: Two Perspectives

Sheeba Levi Stewart Rasta: Healing and Holism

Known for blending Rasta faith with an emphasis on healing, Sheeba Levi Stewart promoted “livity” (righteous living), holistic parenting, and mental wellness. Her work inspired many young female rastafarian followers to balance spirituality with practical resilience in British society.

Sister Benji Uwimana Rastafari: The Voice of Advocacy

As a Rasta educator and public advocate, Sister Benji Uwimana worked tirelessly to challenge racism, promote understanding between faith communities, and give voice to women’s concerns—from hair discrimination in schools to maternal health in the diaspora.

Lessons From the Journey: Rasta Women as Agents of Change

What can we learn from the journeys of rastafarian women in Britain?

• Resilience Under Pressure: Despite exclusion from both mainstream and sometimes their own male-dominated faith communities, rasta women have persisted—organizing, mothering, and building spaces of acceptance.
• Faith as Resistance: Rasta spirituality is a tool not just for survival, but for joy, creativity, and beauty.
• Sample Dilemmas: Some women embrace Afrocentric modest dress as resistance; others question gender norms and push for more progressive visions of the faith.
• Generational Shifts: Younger rasta women engage in social media, podcasts, and activism, redefining British Rasta identity for a digital age.

The Lasting Impact: Rastafarian Women Shaping British Society

Rastafarian women, as mothers, teachers, artists, and spiritual guides, have left an indelible mark on Black British culture. From reggae concerts to classrooms, their values of dignity, natural living, and community uplift have influenced social change beyond faith or ethnicity.

Conclusion: The Future of Rasta Womanhood in the UK

The journey of Rastafarian women in Britain is far from over. Whether navigating the joys and obstacles of faith, challenging stereotypes, or mentoring future generations, these women continue to shape the landscape of British multiculturalism and spiritual diversity.

Their stories remind us that faith is not just about belief, but about the daily work of living with courage and grace.

Are you a rasta woman, an ally, or simply curious about this journey? Take time to listen, learn, and support the ongoing work of identity, resistance, and renewal in Britain’s vibrant Rasta communities.