I'll never forget my first encounter with this phrase at a Nyabinghi ceremony in Jamaica. A elder with locks down to his waist smiled and said, "I and I give thanks for this gathering." My Western mind immediately went literal - was he referring to himself and me? Another person? Took me years to unpack that moment. If you're scratching your head wondering what does I and I mean in Rastafari, you're not alone. This isn't some grammatical quirk – it's the skeleton key to understanding an entire spiritual worldview.
The Core Meaning Broken Down
At its simplest, I and I replaces "me", "you", "we", or "us" in Rasta conversation. But calling it a pronoun is like calling Everest a hill. When Rastas say "I and I", they're expressing three revolutionary ideas fused together:
- The Divine Connection: The first "I" is the individual self. The second "I" is Jah (God) living within that person. It declares "God and I are one presence" – a direct challenge to colonial Christianity that taught God was separate in heaven.
- Collective Oneness: It erases separation between people. Saying "I and I" instead of "you and me" means we share the same divine essence. That dreadlocked brother? He's not "other" – he's part of your own being.
- Rejecting Babylon Language: The English word "you" (from Middle English "yeowe") implies objectification. Rastas see it as a tool of oppression. "I and I" linguistically dismantles master-slave hierarchies baked into colonial language.
Where Did This Concept Actually Come From?
You might assume it popped up in 1930s Jamaica when Rastafari began. Truth is more fascinating. The phrase anchors itself in two powerful sources:
1. Biblical Blueprint
Rastas point to Exodus 3:14 where God tells Moses: "I AM THAT I AM" (Hebrew: Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh). This became foundational. Scholar Brother Sam explains: "Jah isn't some distant 'He' – Jah is the eternal 'I'. When we say I and I, we claim that same eternal identity."
2. Haile Selassie's Divine Titles
When Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie (seen as God incarnate by Rastas) was crowned in 1930, his official titles included "Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God, King of Kings." Rastas interpreted this as proof of divinity living in human form – the ultimate expression of "I" (human) and "I" (divine) coexisting.
| Historical Influence | Connection to "I and I" | Evidence in Rasta Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Christianity | Concept of God's presence dwelling within believers | Use of Selassie's titles in Rasta prayers |
| Marcus Garvey's Philosophy | "God is in you, never leave yourself" | Garvey's speeches taught divine self-worth to oppressed Africans |
| Jamaican Maroon Communities | Collective identity against slavery | "I and I" reflects Maroon communal survival tactics |
How Rastas Actually Use "I and I" in Daily Life
Don't make my mistake thinking this is some lofty theology only for elders. I've heard kids in Kingston yards use it naturally. Here’s how it works practically:
- Replacing "Me/Myself": "I and I going to market" (I'm going to market)
- Replacing "We/Us": "I and I grow this food together" (We grew this food)
- Replacing "You": "Bless up, I and I!" (Blessings to you!)
- Spiritual Declarations: "I and I give thanks to Jah this morning"
What surprised me most? The grammatical flexibility. In one sentence, "I and I" might shift meaning based on context – sometimes individual, sometimes collective. Try that in English class and you’ll get red marks! Yet in Rasta communities, it flows naturally through orality and vibration rather than rigid rules.
Misconceptions That Annoy Actual Rastas
Let’s clear up nonsense I’ve heard in tourist spots:
- "It means 'me and God'" → Partly true but misses collective dimension.
- "It's just bad grammar" → Actually a deliberate linguistic rebellion.
- "Only used in religious settings" → Heard ordering jerk chicken: "I and I want no saltfish, thanks."
One elder told me sharply: "People study Rasta like dinosaur bones – dead things behind glass. I and I meaning in Rastafari isn’t for textbooks. It’s breathing truth." Ouch. But fair point.
Beyond Semantics: The Radical Philosophy
This phrase carries nuclear-grade spiritual politics. Linguist Maureen Warner-Lewis nailed it: "‘I and I’ is a grammatical middle finger to colonialism." Let’s unpack why:
Destroying Mental Slavery
Babylon (oppressive systems) teaches you’re inadequate. "I and I" affirms: "You carry divinity within". That’s revolutionary for descendants of slavery. When Bob Marley sang "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery," this was his vocabulary of liberation.
Eradicating "Otherness"
No "us vs them". Even saying "you" creates separation. Anthropologist Carole Yawney observed Rastas extending "I and I" to animals and nature – recognizing shared sacred life force. Ever heard a Rasta say "I and I tree needs water"? That’s not eccentricity; it’s cosmic unity.
Reclaiming African Identity
European languages imposed during slavery stripped away African self-concepts. "I and I" consciously rebuilds an African-centered worldview. Notice how it resembles:
| African Concept | Parallel to "I and I" | Cultural Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu (Zulu) | "I am because we are" | Southern Africa |
| Seriti (Sotho) | Collective life force | Lesotho/South Africa |
| Chi (Igbo) | Personal divine spark | Nigeria |
Real Talk: Critiques and Limitations
Okay, let’s be honest – this concept isn’t perfect. Some criticisms I’ve heard:
- Overly Idealistic? In practice, Rasta communities still have conflicts despite "oneness" rhetoric.
- Gender Blind Spot? Early Rastafari marginalized women – ironic for a philosophy erasing separation. (Though modern Queens like Sister Mariam challenge this).
- Confusing for Outsiders: Even after years studying, I still occasionally misuse it to chuckles in Trench Town. The learning curve is real.
Still, as philosopher William David Spencer argues, the meaning of I and I in Rastafari remains one of the most sophisticated decolonization tools ever linguistically engineered.
Burning Questions Answered
Is "I and I" only used by Jamaican Rastas?
Absolutely not. You’ll hear it in Rasta communities worldwide – from Ghana to Brazil to Japan. The grammar adapts to local languages too. In Spanish-speaking Rasta circles, it becomes "Yo y Yo".
Do all Rastas use "I and I" the same way?
House differences exist! Nyabinghi elders use it more spiritually. Bobo Shanti might emphasize the Haile Selassie connection. Youth in Kingston might use it casually. But the core remains constant.
Can non-Rastas use this phrase respectfully?
Tricky. Some elders say only those living Rasta livity (lifestyle) should use it. Others welcome anyone honoring its meaning. My rule: Don’t mimic – understand. If you say it, mean that divine connection profoundly.
How does "I and I" relate to dreadlocks or ital food?
It’s the philosophical bedrock! Locks signify the Lion of Judah’s mane – the divine self manifested physically. Ital food honors the "I" (God) within the body. Everything connects back.
Why This Matters Beyond Rastafari
You don’t need locks to appreciate this. At its heart, what I and I means in Rastafari offers everyone:
- An Antidote to Loneliness: That "separate self" illusion? "I and I" vaporizes it.
- Linguistic Consciousness: Words shape reality. What oppressive structures hide in your language?
- Sacred Self-Worth: Imagine moving through life knowing divinity breathes in you. Game-changer.
Last summer in St. Thomas, a Rasta farmer handed me a mango. "I and I grew this," he said. I finally understood. He wasn’t claiming solo effort. He meant the sun, soil, rain, ancestors, and life force co-created that fruit. That’s the magic. That’s why after decades, scholars still peel back layers of what does I and I mean in rastafari. It’s not a phrase – it’s a lens for seeing the sacred woven into existence itself.
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