Elder is an honorific standing bestowed within Rastafari on adherents of good reputation, rather than an ordained office. Elders oversee gatherings and are often looked to for interpreting current events through biblical scripture, though Rastafari as a whole has resisted a formal priesthood. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Organisation
Reach of Its AuthorityOne congregation, house or temple 1 Rastafari has never formed a single central authority, so an elder's standing is recognised within their own house or mansion, among them the Nyabinghi Order, the Bobo Ashanti and the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and does not carry automatic weight across the movement as a whole. Different mansions can and do recognise different people as elders without any body empowered to settle the question between them. Connections
Belongs to Tradition
Source Wikipedia: RastafariWikipedia contributors
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Rastafari
Wikipedia contributors, Wikipedia, 2026Lead section, Wikipedia "Rastafari", revision 1372870784 (2026-09-02), on the absence of a central religious authorityQuote, Lead section, Wikipedia "Rastafari", revision 1372870784 (2026-09-02), on the absence of a central religious authority
There is no central authority in control of the movement and much diversity exists among practitioners, who are known as Rastafari, Rastafarians, or Rastas
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.