Cannabis - A journey from India

When I moved to San Francisco eight years ago, I was intrigued to hear about a new trend sweeping the city: cannabis was becoming a fashionable commodity, with online sales transforming it into an emerging sensation. As marijuana consumption became increasingly popular, I found myself curious about its origins and cultural journey. So, I dove into extensive research and was surprised by what I discovered.

Cannabis has deep roots in India, where it has been used for centuries, often associated with spiritual rituals and practices. The earliest references to cannabis in ancient India can be found in the sacred texts known as the Vedas, which date back to around 1500 to 500 BCE. 

In the Vedas, cannabis is referred to as “bhang.” It is mentioned as one of the five sacred plants, along with soma (a mysterious plant used in rituals), barley, darbha grass, and mudga (a type of bean). Bhang was revered for its psychoactive properties, which were believed to bring people closer to the divine realm.One fascinating aspect of this history traces back to the "jatadharis," or holy men with long dreadlocks, who carried cannabis, particularly in the form of "bhaang" (a cannabis-infused drink), as they traveled. This plant accompanied them on their journeys, eventually reaching South America.

The story takes an even more profound turn during the era of British colonialism. When slavery was abolished around 150 years ago, the British sought laborers to work on sugarcane plantations in South America. Promises of wages and a better life led many from India's Uttar Pradesh and Bihar regions to take a long voyage across the seas. Among these laborers were the jatadharis, who brought their sacred cannabis practices with them.

On the plantations, the Indian workers and the Black communities lived on separate sides of the worker quarters. However, interactions and exchanges took place, with the spiritual practices and conversations of the jatadharis sparking interest. This exchange would play a role in inspiring aspects of Rastafarianism—a spiritual and cultural movement that embraced the use of cannabis and adopted long dreadlocks as a symbol of connection to spirituality and identity.

Years later, icons like Bob Marley would popularize Rastafarian culture, dreadlocks, and the use of cannabis, propelling it into global recognition. Fast-forward to modern times, the influence of these ancient traditions and journeys can even be felt in places like San Francisco, where cannabis has become a prominent part of social culture.

It's fascinating to reflect on how the travels and traditions of the jatadharis shaped and influenced cannabis culture worldwide, weaving through generations and continents to touch even modern movements. 

Sources 

https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/focus/20210326/prathit-misra-rastafari-indian-connection