Rastafarianism Essay

630 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: What is the sociological effect of rastafarianism

Rastafarianism is a religious movement that combines the cultural rituals of Jamaican folk Christianity with the Pan-Africanist movement lead by Marcus Garvey. The religion is influenced by the beliefs of the Nazarite Vow. This vow describes in great detail the significance of the Rastafari movement and the influence Samson has on Rasta’s. During the early twentieth century Marcus Garvey, “the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA),” prophesied the crowning of a black king (Olmos 183). Then a few years later his prophesy was considered fulfilled when Haile Selassie was named Emperor of Ethiopia. Rastafari was founded on November 2, 1930 with the crowning of Ras Tafari Makonnen, Haile Selassie, or Emperor of Ethiopia. Since the time of its establishment the Rastafarian religion has grown to become more than a movement of major cultural and political force in Jamaica. But rather it has taken the path of being the form of resistance that has challenged Jamaica’s “neo-colonist society’s attempt to keep whites at the top and blacks at the bottom of the socio-economic structure” (King-Jensen 17). The Rastafarian movement adapted some elements of the Nazarite vow as part of the religion. The vow entails that individuals should abstain from wine, vinegars, grapes, and intoxicating liquors. They should stop cutting their hair to allow for the locks to grow in their hair. The practices Rasta’s abide by are significant to their resistance against the norms of society. Rastafarians appearances and beliefs distinguish them from what society dictated them to be. Amongst themselves hair culture began in 1934 with the origination of members growing beard and being called the bearded men. But soon after it became normal ... ... middle of paper ... ...Which made him feel better for only a short period of time and then he began to feel sickly again. That was when he sought treatment abroad, but at this time the cancer had spread and there was no way to help the musical idol who had given Rastafarians a name globally. This signified a time when the religion was not suffice to sustain the health of an individual who was very committed to the religion and allowed followers of this religion to realize that they will depart as well. Work Cited Olmos, Margarite Fernandez and Paravisini-Gebert, Lizabeth. Creole Religions of the Caribbean: An Introduction from Vodou and Santería to Obeah and Espiritismo. New York: New York University Press, 2011. Print. Stephen King and Richard J. Jensen. “Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’: The Rhetoric of Reggae and Rastafari.” The Journal of Popular Culture 1995 : 17–36. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Origins and Evolution of Rastafarian Ideology

    845 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Rastafari: Roots and Ideology, Barry Chevannes traces the beginnings of the Rastafari movements and the movements that gave birth to Rastafarian ideology, through both historical perspectives and through the narratives of those people closely associated with these movements. He begins laying out the groundwork of the Rastafarian movement at the slave trade, which gave rise to the institutionalization of racism and the subordination of black people in the “New World.” This racism, and its lasting effects on the social, political, and economic positions of black people in Jamaica led to a realization of the need to create a life, or a belief system, that would actually serve black people and their needs.

    Read More

  • Judiasm & Rastafarianism: A study of the Falashas

    3346 Words  | 7 Pages

    In this research paper I will discuss the ethnic groups of Africans in the Caribbean and Jews in Ethiopia. Jews in Ethiopia call themselves Beta Israel which means `house of Israel.' They are also known as the Falashas. Falasha means `stranger' or `immigrant' in the classical language of Ethiopia (the Ge'ez tongue). I will also describe the culture of the African people displaced into the Caribbean who identify themselves as the Rastafarians and the connections I have made between them and Judaism. I believe that these connections between Judaism and Rastafarianism are more than just similarities that can be found between any two Bible- following religions. I choose the Falashas as the topic for personal, religious and spiritual reasons. I was born into a Jewish household, rich in the traditions and customs of my Hebrew ancestors. I grew up however in the Caribbean, home of the unique culture known as the Rastafari. Throughout my life I have felt a deep connection between Judaism and Rastafarianism. In this paper I seek the origins and history of the connection that I feel in my heart. I believe that the Falashas are the bridge between these two cultures.

    Read More

  • To Be Someone, To Belong:The Black Womyn's Experience in Rastafari

    7300 Words  | 15 Pages

    However, it seems as though the impossible is possible, or at least mostly possible, and traditional Rastafarianism enforces rules and cultural norms that keep womyn in the subordinate, domesticated realm of everyday life. Yet, in the last thirty years or so, those rules and norms have been slowly challenged by a new generation of Rastafarian womyn who no longer accept their inferior position and are demanding greater equality. These womyn, some of whom turn to reggae to promote their own socially conscious ideas, symbolize the growing consciousness of womyn in Jamaica and other majority world countries who have experienced centuries of oppression.

    Read More

  • The Adaptive Ability of the New World African

    685 Words  | 2 Pages

    Author of “The Negro Family”, E. Franklin Frazier believed that the centrality of the bible, structure of Black worship, and notion of God that evolved from the invisible institution to the Black Church was confirmation of the power of white influence . These tactics and different developments were merely adaptive methods used by slaves in order to worship freely in a confined space. Frazier’s beliefs were undermined by author Gayraud S. Wilmore’s description of Vodun in his book Black Religion and Black Radicalism. Frazier’s contention that black religion was evidence of white influence assumes a blank and passive slate. While Vodun in West Africa did have organization that was probably “infiltrated by Roman Catholicism” the goal of New World Africans was to adapt and understand their lives (Wilmore 43). Although white influence was forced upon New World Africans, slaves did not accept this influence but rather interpreted it to create a new, place-based Vodun religion. Vodun adapted to New World conditions, functioned as a coping mechanism, and possessed evolutionary qualities.

    Read More

  • The Rastafarian Movement

    7475 Words  | 15 Pages

    Since its founding in the 1930s, the Rastafarian movement has grown to the point where it has become a major cultural and political force in Jamaica. During its existence, the movement has challenged Jamaica's neo-colonialist society's attempts to keep whites at the top and blacks at the bottom of the socio-economic structure.

    Read More

  • History Of Rastafarianism

    910 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 1920’s and 30’s the Rastafari religion formed in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica. At the time, this area had an environment of great poverty, class discrimination, depression, and racism. The message they wanted to get across was freedom from oppression and it was influenced by African religious traditions. The Bible and the biblical themes have also helped shape the Rastafarian belief system.

    Read More

  • The Punk Movement and Reggae

    1804 Words  | 4 Pages

     
 

Murrell, Nathaniel Samuel, William David Spencer, and Adrian Anthony McFarlane. Chanting down Babylon: the Rastafari reader. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998. Print.

    Read More

  • Rude Boy Music In Comparison With Gangster Rap

    4826 Words  | 10 Pages

    Reggae music is a very powerful way of communicating a message to its listener’s. Reggae has evolved over time from many different types of music and lots of different forms from ska to reggae. The history of reggae starts over 400 years ago in the days of slavery. Under the severe oppression of slavery the African people tried to hold on the pieces of their culture that they could. Music and dance were among the most important cultural traditions retained by the African people. These African rhythms gave way to mento, which gave rise to Rastafarian chants, which in turn gave way to ska and then rocksteady. (Potash, 29) When reggae music is thought of, Jamaica is instantly the word that comes to most peoples mind. Reggae music is also associated closely with the smoking of ganja. Generally people are uneducated about Rastafarianism, and don’t know that smoking marijuana is a sacrament of their religion. Just like Christians eat bread and drink wine at mass, for the Rastafarians ganja is a way to get closer to Jah or their God. The Rastafarian's God was proclaimed Haile Selassie the King of Ethiopia. The man who predicted this was Marcus Garvey a native Jamaican was an advocate of black unity and pride. Garvey was the one who told the African people that their savior would be the next king crowned in Africa. The Jamaican people revered Garvey and believed in what he preached, and when Haile Selassie was crowned the king of Ethiopia the Rastafarian people rejoiced with their new God, Haile Selassie. The Rastafarian’s loved Selassie, even though Selassie didn’t ask or want to be their God. Selassie made a visit to Jamaica in April of 1966, and when he first landed the thousands of Ras...

    Read More

  • Parallelisms and Differences:Rastafarianism and Judaism

    6351 Words  | 13 Pages

    The two religions of Rastafarianism and Judaism embody many of the same characteristics, as well as their ancestry. Although the Rastafarians, at times, inaccurately explain the bible, their belief in the Old Testament is still prevalent. Many of the customs are almost identical, but the rationale behind the traditions and laws contrast greatly.

    Read More

  • African-based Spiritual Outlook: Rastafarianism

    850 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rastafarianism is an African-based spiritual outlook that emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s. It is considered as a religion by few, but by many people it is considered as “a way of life” because it is not very organized. In 1927, Marcus Garvey who is an Afrocentric, black political activist, made a prophecy that his race will be emancipated after a black king is crowned. Three years later, in 1930 Haile Selassie was crowned as king in Africa. Selassie was later declared as the savior by four Jamaican ministers.

    Read More

  • Rastafarianism In Jama's Neo-Colonism

    1318 Words  | 3 Pages

    The spiritual perception associated with Rastafarians wearing dreads has changed significantly over the past years. The views of which, are clearly exemplified in the lyrics of several reggae songs produced by popular artist such as Bob Marley. Rasta’s had always and continues to be identified by their personal appearance and cultural connection to Jamaica. The purpose of the music associated with this religion is to promote positive message. For this reason I am interested in studying the identities of the Rastafari religion. Also, I am interested in learning more about Rastafarianism because of my own Jamaican heritage and the significance of reggae music that was introduced to me since childhood.

    Read More

  • Rastafarianism Essay

    592 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rastafarianism is a religion that was founded in Jamaica in the 1930s by Marcus Garvey. Rasta’s refer to the Judeo- Christian God as Jah and believe that Jesus is black. There are Rasta’s who believe there is no afterlife while others believe that they are immortal. The Rastafari don’t have a specific religious building (church or mosque) that is set aside for worship. According to Religion Facts the chosen text of Rastafarian people is called the Holy Piby, also called the "Black Man's Bible." (Religiousfacts, 2014) When the Rasta’s do meet they are called sessi...

    Read More

  • Emperor Haile Selassie: The Last Known King Of Ethiopia

    1225 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey who campaigned for political and social change in Jamaica was told his followers “Look to Africa for the crowning of a black king, he shall be the redeemer.” This is the prophecy started the Rastafarians religion. However, Garvey was not Rastafarian. His philosophy of black Jamaicans rightful place to be in Africa after the slavery was abolished in 1833 has to do with the historic celebration of the Selassies’s arrival. Garvey died before the Rastafarian religion was born. Three years after Marcus Garvey spoke the prophecy, in 1930 Haile Selassie I became the Emperor of

    Read More

  • Bob Marley's Redemption Song

    939 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rastafari is a theology based upon the writings of Marcus Garvey a Jamaican social activist. The movement’s global spread from Jamaica across the world has been strongly influenced by Bob Marley and closely associated with reggae. Many of Marley’s songs captured the essence of Rastafari religion and its social and political beliefs. (bbc.co.uk, 2014)

    Read More

  • Don’t Shoot the Sheriff: An overview of Rastafarians and the Legal System

    5384 Words  | 11 Pages

    Rastafarianism is a way of life… for many it is the only way of life. Growing up under a certain religion instills varying values and understandings into one’s moral fiber. These values are what shape a human’s character. In some countries, the government is trying to tell these peaceful people to disregard their upbringing and to conform to alien ways.

    Read More

More about Rastafarianism Essay

Open Document