What is "Ital"?
"Ital" is a term used in Rastafarian culture and refers to their plant-based diet, which is free from processed foods, refined sugars, additives, and artificial substances. Purists will tell you that the variety of foods on a plate should represent the colors gold, green, and red, as foods containing those colors offer a balanced variety of nutrients. Coincidentally, those are also the colors represented on the Rastafarian flag.
It is said that 'Ital" is a derivative of the word "Vital". Jamaicans shorten and re-work many English words. (There's a story behind their doing so, and it's called "Patois". Stick around Jamaica long enough and you'll pick it up :-) )
If you've been to Jamaica you've seen the gardens. they're everywhere, and large and small. You've seen them being tended to, and workers carrying shovels and sacks to their gardens, no matter how hot. You've seen the pride growers of anything have in their crops. Jamaicans are amazing gardeners and growers. It's more than a survival thing- it's an art...
An art that brings great pride and, when combined with an Ital cuisine, great, long-lasting health.
Thanks for asking!
Add comment
Comments