Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Etana - file

For STAR of the month Etana, Rastafarianism is not just a religion but it is 'real', and a way of life.

Etana has been part of the faith for six years. She says she decided to become a 'Rasta' because it was the right thing to do.

"There is no in-between man to get to God. Yuh nuh haffi talk to no pastor and no pastor nuh haffi pray fi yuh. Yuh nuh haffi die and get to heaven before yuh can see God. Rasta is what it is; it's just real. There is no jumping up or flying up and down the place," she told THE STAR.

The principles and beliefs she developed in Rastafarianism helped her to make the decision to leave the pop group Give in 2004.

"(While in the group) I conformed just to fit in, but that didn't mean that I was comfortable," she said. "It was not easy, to tell you the truth, but I did it anyway 'cause I was already accepted into the group. I went as far as to even audition to get in and I did what I had to do."

Etana, however, admits that the religion is not perfect.

"I am not saying that Rastafarians are perfect. Just like Christians, Catholics or whatever, we are all people regardless of what our faith is. What we all should do is live in love and unity, not to say that you should bring your neighbour in your house as you would your family, but we need to just get rid of the bad mind, the destructive thoughts of other people and just allow people to live."