The Significance of Marijuana in Shashamane, Ethiopia

Be it from pop culture or the little you know about marijuana, you’ve probably heard of Rastafarians, better known as “Rastas” or “Rasta man.” You know, those dreadlocked, bearded gents with the red, gold, and green headgear and the reggae music. While most people associate Rastas with Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, Rastafarianism didn’t actually originate there. The movement was born in Jamaica, yes, but its spiritual homeland is thousands of miles away in a small Ethiopian town called Shashamane.

Where Is Shashamane?

Contrary to some opinions, Shashamane or Shashamene isn’t a tribe but a town in southern Ethiopia, specifically the Oromia Region. It’s about 155 miles south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city, and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, especially for Rastafarians.

What Started Rastafarianism in Shashamane?

An unusual melting pot of politics and overwhelming spiritual faith birthed Rastafarianism in Shashamane. It all began in the early 20th century when Marcus Garvey’s voice was loud among several Black communities, preaching the “Back to Africa” movement.

In 1927, the U.S. deported Garvey to Jamaica, but his legacy continued in the States. A few years later, in 1930, Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Haile Selassie I, the Emperor of Ethiopia, the only African country to have never tasted colonialism. Believers of the “Back to Africa” movement saw this as the fulfillment of Garvey’s prophecy of “Look to Africa, where a Black king shall be crowned.”

This coronation significantly contributed to the birth of Rastafarianism, named after the emperor’s birth name — Ras (Prince) Tafari. Rastas believed the emperor was no ordinary king but Jah incarnate (God on earth) and the rightful ruler of all African people. They also saw Ethiopia as Zion, their promised land.

However, it wasn’t until 1948 that Shashamane’s connection to Rastafarianism became solidified. In that year, the emperor granted 500 hectares (about 1,235 acres) of Shashamane land to all Black people in the diaspora. He did this to thank diasporans for supporting Ethiopia during its Italian invasion between 1935 and 1941.

Thanks to this gift, descendants of enslaved Africans spread across the globe could return to their ancestral land and settle. Many, including non-Rastas, accepted the offer and migrated to Shashamane from the U.S., the U.K., Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations, fulfilling the prophecy of returning to Zion.

Rastafarianism and Ganja

Shashamane evolved into a Rastafarian settlement that blended Jamaican and Ethiopian culture. One part of this culture fusion that became especially synonymous with Rastas is the use of cannabis.

For Rastas, marijuana (or ganja, as they fondly call it) wasn’t just a pastime. It was and still is a sacrament – their version of communion-taking. They smoke the sacred herb to heighten consciousness and enhance reasoning during personal meditation or group discussions about life, faith, and liberation.

However, this doesn’t mean Rastas don’t also use cannabis recreationally. Many believe this practice originated from Jamaica and became part of Rastafarianism due to most members being of Jamaican descent.

As time passed, Rastafarianism and its practices gained global recognition, thanks largely to reggae music. Icons like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear celebrated and sang about their beliefs, frequently referencing Ethiopia (Zion), Jah, and ganja in their lyrics.

This musical influence boosted Rastafarianism’s popularity, embedding it into the global consciousness. While not everyone understood it, symbols like dreadlocks, reggae rhythms, and cannabis use became unmistakably linked to Rasta identity.

However, not every Rasta approves of cannabis use. Haile Selassie’s great-nephew, Asfa-Wossen Asserate, considers it “bizarre” that cannabis has become synonymous with his religion. In an interview with Vice, he stated, “They shouldn’t be smoking it. This is not the thing that we want to show to the youth of Ethiopia. We have enough problems, you know, and smoking ganja, they should not ask people to partake in that and lead people to believe that it is not a harmful drug.”

Cannabis in Ethiopia

Shockingly, cannabis is illegal all over Ethiopia, including Shashamane. Despite the strong cultural ties between Shashamane’s Rastafarian community and the herb, the country maintains strict anti-cannabis laws. Using, selling, or even possessing it can attract heavy legal penalties, including up to 10 years in jail for trafficking.

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But humans being humans, cannabis use is still widespread all over Ethiopia, especially in Shashamane. In fact, one report puts Ethiopia’s marijuana users at over 7 million. The country is also home to a unique cannabis breed called Sheshemani, a name that may have been derived from Shashamane.

The Sheshemani strain is an African landrace sativa, meaning it’s a naturally occurring cannabis variety that developed without human crossbreeding. Many users describe the strain’s effects as an uplifting, energetic high or a reverse high that enhances creativity and mental clarity.

Can You Visit Shashamane?

Sure, you can, but you should set realistic expectations. Unlike places like Amsterdam, which have cannabis-friendly policies and pot shops on most streets, cannabis is illegal in Shashamane. Merely being in possession of it anywhere in Ethiopia can get you into serious trouble.

Also, while many peace-loving Rastafarians call Shashamane home and welcome visitors with warmth and wisdom, it’s not a utopian paradise. Like many towns, it has its own struggles, which include poverty, limited infrastructure, and social challenges. Then there’s the rising tension between Rastafarians and local Ethiopians who want to reclaim the land Selassie gifted to the African diaspora.

That said, visiting Shashamane can be a powerful, eye-opening experience for those interested in the history and teachings of Rastafarianism. Just remember that it’s not a resort town or cannabis tourism hotspot.

READ: Bringing Truth to The 5 Most Popular Cannabis Myths

Myths and Truths about Shashamane and Marijuana

To help put to rest some mistruths about Shashamane and marijuana, here are some debunked myths:

Myth 1: Only Rastas live in Shashamane.

Truth: Shashamane’s population is a mix of Ethiopian locals and Rastafarians. In fact, compared to other residents, Rastafarians have the smallest population in the area.

Myth 2: Every Rasta smokes cannabis.

Truth: Not every Rasta uses cannabis. While many Rastafarians consider it part of their culture, some do not consider its usage necessary for spiritual enlightenment or connection.

Myth 3: Cannabis is legal in Shashamane.

Truth: Cannabis is illegal in all parts of Ethiopia, including Shashamane. Rastafarians and other locals have to use it covertly to avoid legal consequences.

Myth 4: Cannabis is native to Ethiopia and part of traditional Ethiopian culture.

Truth: While cannabis grows in Ethiopia, it doesn’t have deep-rooted ties to traditional Ethiopian religious or cultural practices. Its prominence in Shashamane came with the Rastafarian settlers.

Myth 5: Rastafarians are all male.

Truth: Rastafarianism is open to both males and females. Males are “Rasta men” and often refer to each other as “kingsmen.” In contrast, females are “Rasta women,” with male partners commonly referring to them as “queen” or “empress” as a sign of respect and reverence.

Myth 6: Rastas smoke marijuana using Bible pages.

Truth: Most Rastas highly revere the Bible, especially the Old Testament, and consider defacing its pages in any way to be disrespectful and sacrilegious.

Myth 7: Marijuana was found on King Solomon’s grave, proving its holiness.

Truth: Credible archaeological or historical evidence of cannabis growing on King Solomon’s grave doesn’t exist. The myth is likely a result of Rastafarian reverence for Solomon’s lineage and their belief that cannabis is a divine plant.

Myth 8: Only Jamaicans live in Shashamane.

Truth: While many of its early settlers were Jamaican Rastafarians, different people from across the globe have migrated to Shashamane over the years.

Myth 9: Shashamane is just a “cannabis town.”

Truth: Shashamane is far from being a cannabis town due to the herb’s illegality in the area and the stigma attached to it by most locals.