WHAT DOES 'IRIE' MEAN?

IRIE

The word “Irie” is an African English word, derived from the Ethiopian belief system of Rastafari.  It found its way into American English via Jamaica in the days of extreme slavery when millions of Ethiopians were relocated to Jamaica.

It is pronounced “eye-ree” and refers to a multitude of positive and powerful vibrations in the way in which we interact with each other and nature.

Rasta's often greet each other by saying, "Are you feeling Irie today?"

IRIE stands for I Respect I Eternally. Meaning you have respect for yourself and are happy with who you are.  It is very much like “Namaste” a Sanskrit greeting translating to “The GOD in me greets the GOD in you”.

So therefore Rastafari claim this word as their own and it forms part of an ever growing new language which ii will write about again in the future as it is pretty enlightening!

It is also important to be aware of another Rastafari term,  the “I” and “I” which really is a complex term which refers to the “oneness” of JAH (GOD) and every single human being.  “Oneness” being the oneness of two persons.  So GOD is within all of us and we are one people, as referred to in Romans 12 vs 5

^“5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. “

This is what Rastafari mean when they speak about “One Love”, we are all one!

So “iandi” is an expression to totalize the concept of oneness, and is often used to replace the words “I” “You” or “we”, implying that both persons are united under the love of JAH.

It also replaces the word “alright”, so if you offer a brother or sister something to drink and they respond by saying “I am irie” this would mean that they are content, in order words “No thankyou!”.

If people act in an “uncool” manner, you will hear a Rastafari comment, “that is not irie!” which means that their behavior is not cool.

“Are you feeling irie today?” means the same as “Are you all right today?”

On a spiritual level it also indicates positive and powerful vibrations indicating that we are at total peace with our current state of being.

“I’m not irie today” would mean that there is problem, pain or illness that is causing a negative vibration, as opposed to “Everything is irie mon!”

 

This is my Irish friend's "Afro-Irie" tattoo with his permission give thanks brother!

Have a JAH Blessed IRIE day!