Ital, also spelledI-tal (/ˈaɪtɑːl/), is food often celebrated by those in theRastafari movement. It is compulsory in theBobo Ashanti andNyabinghi mansions, though not in theTwelve Tribes of Israel. The word derives from theEnglish word "vital", with the initial "v" removed.[1] This emphasis on the letter "I" is done to many words in theRastafari vocabulary to signify the unity of the speaker with God and all of nature.[citation needed] The expression of Ital eating varies widely from Rasta to Rasta, and there are few universal rules of Ital living.
The primary goal of adhering to an Ital diet is to increase liveliness. The life energy that Rastafari generally believe lives within all human beings, as conferred from the Almighty, is referred to asLivity.[2] A common tenet of Rastafari beliefs is the sharing of a central Livity among living things, and what is put into one's body should enhance Livity rather than reduce it. Though there are different interpretations of ital regarding specific foods, the general principle is that food should be natural, or pure, and directly from the earth; Rastafari therefore often avoid food which is chemically modified or contains artificialadditives (e.g.,colour,flavourings, andpreservatives). Some also avoid addedsalt in foods, especially salt with the artificial addition ofiodine, while pure sea orkosher salt is eaten by some. In strict interpretations, foods that have been produced using chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizer are not considered ital.[3] Early adherents adopted their dietary laws based on their interpretation of several books of theBible, including theBook of Genesis ("Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food'. (Genesis 1:29)), the books ofLeviticus andDeuteronomy. Along with growingdreadlocks and the sacramental smoking ofganja, observing avegetarian diet is one of the practices early Rastafari adopted fromIndianindentured servants living in Jamaica. Rastafari's founder,Leonard Howell, affectionately called "Gong" and "Gyangunguru Maragh", though not of Indian descent, was fascinated withHindu practices and was instrumental in promoting a plant-based diet in the Rastafari community of Pinnacle.
Most expressions of the Ital diet include adherence to a strictvegetarian diet. This is based in part on the belief that since meat is dead, eating it would therefore work against Livity elevation. It is also practiced because as adherents to natural living, Rastafarians often believe the human being is a natural vegetarian based on human physiology and anatomy. Some adherents to Ital diets arevegans, as they do not consider dairy to be natural for human consumption either.[4] Despite most adherents being vegetarian, someconsider fish to be acceptable.[5]
Rastafari does not approve ofalcohol consumption.[6] However, some choose to drink alcohol in moderation as long as it does not reach a level that clouds the mind or reduces their livity. Most Rastas disapprove ofcigarettes due to the serious health concerns associated with their use, and some avoidcoffee and other caffeinated beverages (though this is less common). Some Rastafari grow their own coffee, sugar, andcocoa.[citation needed]
The strictest interpretations also avoid the consumption of rock salt (sea salt can be substituted), and food that has been preserved bycanning ordrying, and even prohibit the use ofmetalcooking utensils. In this case, onlyclay andwoodcooking pots,crockery, andcutlery are used. Few adherents of ital follow the strictest interpretation; some Rastafarians do not adhere to them at all.[7]
| Dieting |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nutrition |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nutritional advice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
.svg)
