Konshens

noun KON-shens ˈkɔnʃɛns

Also spelled conscience, conshens

Conscience — the inner moral sense of right and wrong. Closely tied to the Rastafari and roots-reggae ideal of being 'conscious' (konshus): awake to truth, justice, spirituality, and Black upliftment, as opposed to shallow, materialistic living. To have konshens is to be guided by that inner voice and that awakened awareness, and 'conscious' music and living stand against 'slackness' and empty display. The word gathers up both the plain moral conscience and the whole roots ideal of the awakened, righteous, socially-aware mind.

  • Let yuh konshens guide yuh.

    Let your conscience guide you.

  • Konshus reggae wake up di people mind.

    Conscious reggae awakens the people's minds.

  • Him a konshus youth, him seek truth an rights.

    He's a conscious young man, he seeks truth and rights.

The Patois pronunciation of 'conscience'; linked to 'conscious/konshus', a keyword of roots-reggae and Rastafari awareness.

Conscience; tied to the 'conscious' (konshus) ideal in roots reggae and Rastafari. Also a dancehall artist's name.