Holy Zion A Study of Ethiopianism in Rastafarianism with a Focus on the Concept Of Ethiopia as Zion
analytical Essay
4994 words
Holy Zion A Study of Ethiopianism in Rastafarianism with a Focus on the Concept Of Ethiopia as Zion
Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going;
We know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to our fatherland
(Marley "Exodus" 5).
In 1977, Bob Marley's lyrics reflected the ideology of Rastafarianism, defined by the New Dictionary of Religions as, "A variety of dynamic movements in Jamaica . . . since the 1930s among the poor landless men, inspired by Marcus Garvey’s Back to Africa movement and the accession of Ras Tafari as emperor of Ethiopia" (Rastafarian). But the Rastafarians are much more than "poor landless men". They are an oppressed people who in the1930s found themselves in a hopeless situation. It was this hopeless situation that readied the minds and hearts of the Rastafarians to look beyond their lives in Jamaica.
They began to look to a new life and a new world by the name of Ethiopia. The concept of Ethiopia as Zion, a destined homeland for all Black people, soon took hold of the Rastafarians so much so that it became the basis for their religion, Ethiopianism.
According to one source, "It is the Rastafari movements, with its origins in Jamaica, that Ethiopianism has been most consistently elaborated for nearly seven decades" (Dread History). Ethiopianism, and specifically the belief in Ethiopia as Zion, was so accepted by the Rastafarians because it offered a sense of dignity and hope in an otherwise hopeless economic and social climate.
Jamaica 1930 was not the picture of peaceful jungles and calm sunsets that we see in travel agents’ brochures. Jamaica 1930 was a time of economic, social, and natural disaster. As L...
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...ove. http://www.webcom.com/nattyreb/rastafari/everlasting.html
Jamaicans Of Ethiopian Origin And The Rastafarian Faith. http://web.syr.edu/~affellem/napti.html.
Marley, Bob. Exodus. 1977.
---. Survival. 1979.
Mutabaruka. Check It. 1983.
---. Outcry. 1984.
---. The Ultimate Collection. 1996.
Mutabaruka Web Site. http://www.ireggae.com/muta.htm.
The Rastafarian Religion. http://www.aspects.net/~nick/religion.htm
Rastafarian. http://ucl.broward.cc.fl.us/pathfinders/rastafa.htm.
Rastafarianism. http://www.ritesofpassage.org/g-rasta.htm
Redington, Norman. A Sketch Of Rastafari History. St. Pachomius Orthodox Library, 1995.
Sandford, Christine. The Lion of Judah. Philadelphia: Macmillian, 1955.
Who Was Marcus Garvey? http://www.rockol.it/rockol/reggae/MarcusGa.htm.
Zach, Paul. Insight Guides: Jamaica. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1995.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the study of ethiopianism in rastafarianism with a focus on the concept of ethiopia as zion.
- Analyzes how marcus garvey brought the ideals of ethiopianism to jamaica. he organized the united negro improvement association (unia) to enlighten people about the dignity of the black race and the superiority of ancient africa.
- Analyzes how ras tafari, who took the name haile selassie at his coronation, was seen as the "promised messiah from the house of judah" and a signal that it was time for redemption.
- Urges africans to unite for the benefit of their people.
- Opines that marley is letting the people know that even though they live in a life full of oppression, if they put their faith in selassie everything will turn out alright.
- Explains that the rastafarians were an oppressed people who in the 1930s found themselves in a hopeless situation.
- Analyzes how garvey's motivations and actions were political, but he reached out to the jamaican people, specifically the rastafarians, with the wisdom and language of a prophet.
- Explains that selassie's coronation was the second most important day in the correlation between ethiopianism and jamaica.
- Analyzes how marley's song, "exodus", addresses the movement of people out of jamaica and into ethiopia.
- Analyzes how marley reaffirms that jah will save his people and break down oppression. mutabaruka provides another good view of the rastafarian beliefs.
- Analyzes how mutabaruka is reiterating that the day will come when the jamaicans, and all oppressed black people, will be brought into zion.
- Analyzes how mutabaruka touches on one of garvey's most important points, black and african pride.
- Analyzes how mutabaruka's answer to the question "whey mi belang" is that ethiopia is the light at the end of the tunnel
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- Rastafarianism In Jama's Neo-Colonismanalytical essayThe 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the spiritual perception associated with rastafarians wearing dreads has changed significantly over the past years, exemplified in the lyrics of several reggae songs produced by popular artist bob marley.
- Explains that the rastafarian religion has grown to become more than a movement of major cultural and political force in jamaica, but it has taken the path of being the form of resistance that has challenged jamaica's neo-colonist society.
- Explains that rastafarians' appearances and beliefs distinguish them from what society dictated them to be. hair culture began in 1934 with members growing beard and being called the bearded men.
- Analyzes how the dreadlock style resisted the norms of orderly appearance in a society represented by cleanliness and structure.
- Analyzes how rastafarians wear dreadlocks through the lyrics of songs over several decades. bob marley's "natty dread" affirms the cultural significance and link to babylon. junior byles' "curly locks" exemplifies the way society shuns creole religions.
- Analyzes how discrimination against rasta limits its ability to spread. dreads became a globalized sensation in the 1980s, prompted by sugar minott's song 'dread upon your head'.
- Explains that while rastafarianism has manifested worldwide, it has also given it a political character. the song entitled "three little birds" is by bob marley and the wailers.
- Explains that the lyrics of music created by rasta's have been of great influence to a society that had not embraced the religion in the beginning.
- Analyzes how bob marley's use of metaphors helped in expressing and popularizing rastafarian ideas. his ambiguous nature and high level of identification with his audience made the songs effective as protest music.
- Explains that the ban on gun lyrics was instituted by colonel trevor mcmillan, jamaica's commissioner of police, which discouraged clubs and radio from playing records with violent messages.
- Opines that the recovery of a rasta-influenced music scene may reflect the fundamentalist spiritual reawakening taking root in jamaica.
- Analyzes how mob marley's songs show how rastafarian ideologies and beliefs can break down barriers that separated society from a culturally established religion.
1318 wordsRead More - The Connections Between Judaism and Rastafarianismexplanatory essayThe Connections Between Judaism and Rastafarianism Numerous amounts of religious groups have started and developed from experiences which have happened to them in the past. For example, Judaism and Rastafarianism are two religious sects which have been formed from former events which created and helped start these religions. There is also a strong tie between these two religions because they are two groups which have been oppressed and persecuted in the past which helped them unite and become one. Until the nineteenth century the Jews, even though they were white, lived a life which shared the same status of the Blacks. The Jews and Blacks were both subjected to slavery because they were a little bit different.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that judaism and rastafarianism are two religious sects which have been formed from former events which created and helped start these religions.
- Explains that rastafarianism has and uses a lot of the same beliefs as the jews. judaism has strong connections, being beliefs, events which happened to them in the past, origin, and worship of one god.
- Describes the rastafarians as a loosely organized inspirational group of men and women concerned at the plight of black people. the english takeover of jamaica in 1660 started the terrible beginning of the african diaspora.
- Explains that sam sharpe was a powerful speaker and spoke about the evils and injustice of slavery. he was extremely intelligent and loved by his fellow slaves.
- Analyzes how marcus mosiah garvey, one of the world's most acclaimed black leaders, contributed to the beginning of rastafarianism with his philosophy.
- Opines that africa will be crowned with a black king for the day of deliverance.
- Opines that the lion of the tribe of judah, the root of david, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.
- Explains that rastafarianism started with three themes: merger of african and christian religions, marcus garvey (garvyism), and ethiopia = africa.
- Explains how rastafarianism was founded by leonard p. howell in 1935. the movement never had a central organization or leader with any kind of authority.
- Introduces h.i.m. emperor haile selassie i, king of kings, lord of israel, conquering lion of the tribe of judah, descendent of the house of david.
- Opines that one must know and acknowledge the bible and the teachings of jah rastafari above all things.
- Explains that one accepts and holds in reverence the person of his majesty haile selassie as the living manifestation of jah (god).
- Explains that the so-called death "death" is not an eternal phenomenon, one only sees death happening in life-a rastaman knows not of death but of life everlasting.
- Explains that one seeks after the world of life, jah life, and not after material things of this world, for they are only temporary.
- Explains that a rastafarian is jew by nature, being righteous, dignity, and love for god.
- Opines that a rasta cannot afford to be "color blind." jah is universal, and he can take on any color.
- Explains that a rastafarian must accept the oath of the nazarite, such as moses, abraham, issac, jacob, david, solomon, jes-us christ, and ras ta
- Opines that a rastafarian must be one of peace, love and unity, living in harmony with jah, man, and nature.
- Explains that a rastafarian must accept and observe the laws of the ten commandments, which jah left early mankind.
- Opines that it is and should be the will of all rastafarians to liberate and eradicate all iniquity (evil) from the world.
- Opines that repatriation is a must for all rastafarians.
- Describes the similarities between the rastafarian and judaism faiths.
- Explains that the ancient hebrews are an amazing group of people with a wonderful history. the land in which they ruled stretched 200 kilometers long and 100 kilometers wide.
- Explains that most jews are convinced that god has a special place in their history. this conviction is summed up in the words recorded in genesis 12: 2-3.
- Explains that the old testament is the book the jews believe is where they got their history. the hebrews had many kings.
- Explains that for forty years the jews wandered around the great desert in the east dreaming of the green land of canaan.
- Explains that moses led the jews out of slavery in egypt and freed them from slavery. abraham was the first jew, and their memories and worship of one god kept them united.
- Explains that david was the king who united the jews to be the masters of the land of cannan.
- Explains that the kingdom of israel began to see some evil days. in the year 722 bce, she was conquered by powerful assyria.
- Narrates how babylonian king nebuchadnezzar took a large part of the population to his own land to ensure that the people he had conquered would not rise and revolt against him.
- Explains that the torah, or the five books of moses, taught the jews to love justice and kindness. they read and recite from it over and over again and teach it to their children.
- Opines that the talmud teaches jews how to live in justice, dignity, and peace. the main principle and guideline for the jewish faith is to keep them a 'civilized people in the world of ignorance.'
- Explains that the rastafarians believe in educating themselves with the bible because they believe it was written by and about black people.
- Analyzes how the bible states that the cultural beginning started in africa. egypt and ethiopia are the foundation of where the african cultures embarked.
- Explains that the rastas' protest against western society draws comfort and support from the long exile of the jews in babylon and their triumphant return home.
- Explains that the rastafarians and jews have innumerable comparisons, but their beliefs, events, place of origin, and doctrine of repatriation are the most significant.
- Explains that judaism uses the 'star of david' as a symbol to show his importance to them, while the rastafarians also use the symbol of the star.
- Concludes that rastafarians and jews are so closely related in many ways it is hard to believe that they are not the same religion.
3663 wordsRead More - Rastafarianism Essayanalytical essayRastafarianism 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that rastafarianism is a religious movement that combines the cultural rituals of jamaican folk christianity with the pan-africanist movement led by marcus garvey.
- Explains that the rastafarian religion has grown to become more than a movement of major cultural and political force in jamaica, but it has taken the path of being the form of resistance that has challenged jamaica's neo-colonist society.
- Explains that rastafarians' appearances and beliefs distinguish them from what society dictated them to be. hair culture began in 1934 with members growing beard and being called the bearded men.
- Analyzes how the dreadlock style resisted the norms of orderly appearance in a society represented by cleanliness and structure.
- Explains that rastafarians' beliefs of not being willing to be associated with government and forms of commercialization lie deep within their religious structure.
630 wordsRead More - African-based Spiritual Outlook: Rastafarianismexplanatory essayRastafarianism 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that rastafarianism is an african-based spiritual outlook that emerged in jamaica in the 1930s.
- Explains that rastafarians believe that haile selassie is the messiah and that he will lead them to the promised land.
- Explains that rastafarians interpret the bible in an afrocentric way to reverse the changes that they assume were made by white powers. they hold the black race as one of the tribes of israel.
- Explains that rastafarians celebrate many holidays throughout the year, which happen to be different from other religions.
- Explains that many rastafarians limit their diet to what they view as "pure food", which does not include any additives like artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives.
- Explains that rastafarians do not have a specific building or area for prayer. they arrange time for chants, singing, prayers, and discussing issues.
- Explains that rastafarians prefer to marry others in order to connect spiritually. they view marriage as a journey to find one's true self.
- Explains that rastafarianism is growing rapidly between people of many different cultures because of bob marley's famous music.
850 wordsRead More - Rastafarianismexplanatory essayThe crowning of Prince Ras Tafari Makonnen as the Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930 gave birth to the Rastafarian religion. Years earlier in 1927, Marcus Garvey told blacks to "look to Africa for the crowning of a king to know that your redemption is near". Many blacks considered his crowning to be the fulfillment of Marcus Garvey's prophecy. Garvey's plan was to bring all Africans back to Africa ("Rastafarianism"). This started a Rastafarian movement and the religion had officially begun (Littman "Rastafarianism"). The Rastafarian religion grew out of the Ghetto's of Kingston, Jamaica (Jackson "Rastafarianism"). An early leader of the movement was Leonard Howell. "Leonard Howell, was arrested in 1933 by the Jamaican government for preaching a revolutionary doctrine" (Garcia "Rastafarianism: An Overview"). Howell's arrest helped organize the Rastafarian movement, and may have influenced the group to remain leaderless for a period of time, which in turn helped to strengthen them (Garcia "Rastafarianism: An Overview"). As the Jamaican economy grew weaker, many Rasta's turned...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the rastafarian religion has roots tracing to africa, but it became well known in the ghettos of jamaica, where a boy was born who would have an everlasting effect on the religion.
- Explains that the crowning of prince ras tafari makonnen as the emperor of ethiopia in 1930 gave birth to the rastafarian religion.
- Analyzes how the sending of some rastafarian leaders to africa enhanced knowledge of african realities, and probably diffused the movement's enthusiasm for immediate repatriation.
- Explains that haile selassie i's visit to jamaica resulted in two major developments: he convinced the rastafarian brothers that they should not immigrate to africa until the jamaican people were liberated.
- Explains that the rastafarian religion is a blend of the purest forms of judaism and christianity.
- Explains that the rastafarian religion is based on ancient egyptian mysteries and egyptian mysticism. moses is the source of judaism and paul the apostle is known for the christian influence.
- Explains that the "black man's bible" was written by robert athlyi rogers and published in 1924 by reverend charles f. goodridge.
- Explains that bob marley was the most famous and influential rastafarian. his music embraced carefree attitudes and professed his love for jah.
- Explains that the rastafarian religion is full of unique beliefs and practices. the colors that define the religion and their beliefs are red, gold, and green.
- Describes marcus garvey as the founder of the rastafarian religion. he was a political leader devoted to making the black race equal to the white.
2122 wordsRead More - The Punk Movement and Reggaeanalytical essay  Murrell, Nathaniel Samuel, William David Spencer, and Adrian Anthony McFarlane. Chanting down Babylon: the Rastafari reader. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that they refuse to drag you along in a discussion of their generation, devoid of originality or conviction, in an age where institutionalized american greed, exploitation, entitlement, and deception propagates at an alarming rate.
- Opines that reggae was born out of british colonialism's oppression of the jamaican people.
- Analyzes how jamaicans thought they had overcome britain's institutionalized racism in gaining their independence, but after only 16 years of independence.
- Argues that punk originated in america and reached the uk to inspire the overtly publicized british pop movement. anglophone countries bred greed and entitlement with the largest global implications.
- Argues that the relative privilege of living in powerful, wealthy nations better qualifies its inhabitants to understand and reject the evils they see in their respective governments.
- Opines that punk began between 1974 and 1976, but there isn't a clear definition for what constitutes it.
- Argues that the punk movement was born when intellectuals picked up on the culturally oppressive subtleties that spawned from outright consumerism and the rise of conservatism among the american population.
- Explains that the accessibility of the music played a pivotal role in the development of punk and reggae culture.
- Analyzes the paradoxical relationship between the white man and the reggae rebel.
- Opines that the same can be said for the punk movement.
- Analyzes the paradoxical relationship between the western, ever-commercializing record industry and the rhetorical musicians, which is absurd and yet one of the greatest tragedies of modern music.
- Explains that hopes unrealized in independent jamaica : npr.
- Explains kristiansen, lars j., screaming for change: articulating a unifying philosophy of punk rock.
- Explains murrell, nathaniel samuel, william david spencer, and adrian anthony mcfarlane. chanting down babylon: the rastafari reader.
- Explains ross, andrew, real love: in pursuit of cultural justice.
- Describes tom wolfe on the 'me' decade in america, new york magazine guide to restaurants, fashion, nightlife, shopping, politics and movies.
1804 wordsRead More - Rude Boy Music In Comparison With Gangster Rapanalytical essayReggae 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...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that reggae music has three basic components: ridim the polyridimic overlays in the percussive weave, melody and voice.
- Explains that violence in jamaica has been a huge problem for law enforcement agencies on the island, but when the law enforcers create violence it becomes completely different story.
- Analyzes how amnesty international's charts show the horrific death rate of civilians shot and killed by the jamaican police force.
- Analyzes how rastafarianism offered the best opportunity for self-respect and self improvement in jamaica. the movie "the harder they come" illustrates what could happen to rural migrants.
- Analyzes how the ghetto youth of kingston rewrote the rules of street violence. they were armed with guns, machetes, and knives.
- Explains that peter tosh, bob marley, and bunny livingston started their careers as teen rude boys producing hits like "simmer down," "rude boy," and "jailhouse."
- Explains that derrick morgan's music glorified rude boys and violence in jamaica. the wailers produced a handful of hits during their rude boy stage.
- Explains that reggae music has evolved over time from many different types of music and lots of different forms.
- Analyzes how marley's quote shows the goal of most rastafarians to fly home to ethiopia and live in ethiopia. marcus garvey tried to set up a company that would take the afro-caribbean’s back to their homeland of africa.
- Analyzes how garth white's quote, "rudie culture has so developed as to command adherents among the majority of lower class youth," speaks the truth. the children growing up in the ghettos learn from it.
- Analyzes how the lyrics of the wailers can be categorized as rude boys. desmond dekker glorified the rude boy movement with his "007 (shanty town).
- Analyzes how dekker's "dreader than dead" was a pro-rude boy album rebuttal to prince busters' "judge dread."
- Analyzes how honeyboy martin is trying to get his view of why these young men in the ghetto are carrying guns and being criminals.
- Analyzes how prince buster's lyrics are more of a pled to the rude boys to change their ways than trash talking.
- Analyzes how gangster rappers like snoop dogg and dr. dre are still rapping, but they have displaced themselves from the violence in the streets.
- Analyzes how tupac's song about death row provides the listener with frightening imagery about consequences from living a violent ghetto life.
4826 wordsRead More - Parallelisms and Differences:Rastafarianism and Judaismexplanatory essayParallelisms and Differences:Rastafarianism and Judaism 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the rastas describe haile selassie as an incomparable power, and the supreme authority on earth.
- Explains how leonard p. howell was arrested for using "seditious and blasphemous language" to increase the sale of pictures of haile selassie.
- Explains that the natty dreadlocks are a symbol of devotion to the holy way of living.
- Explains that the jewish kashruth (kosher) laws are a way of setting the jews apart in their day to day life.
- Explains that the rastafarians believe that smoking the holy herb is the purest and most natural form of attaining communion with g-d.
- Explains barrett, leonard e., the rastafarians: a study in messianic cultism in jamaica.
- Cites post, ken, the bible as ideology: ethiopianism in jamaica, 1930-38, african perspective, cambridge, university press, 1970.
- Cites post, ken, the bible as ideology: ethiopianism in jamaica, 1930-38, african perspective, cambridge, university press, 1970.
- Cites leonard e. barrett's the rastafarians: a study in messianic cultism in jamaica.
- Cites kitzinger, sheila, "protest and mysticism: the rastafari cult in jamaica," journal for scientific study of religions viii.
- States that nicholas, tracy, and sparrow, bill, rastafari: a way of life (chicago: frontline distribution international, inc.
- Explains that rastafarianism and judaism embody many of the same characteristics, as well as their ancestry.
- Analyzes the rastafarian religion's inconsistency in calling selassie the almighty g-d and claiming that he is the creator of every man.
- Explains that the rastafarian religion is not one that has been "handed down" to them.
- Explains the differences between the rastafarian and jewish dietary laws.
- Explains that the jewish religion emphasizes spices from the land, but not marijuana. the star of david is used to symbolize the rastafarian religion.
- Cites kitzinger, sheila, nicholas, tracy, and sparrow, bill, "protest and mysticism: the rastafari cult in jamaica."
6351 wordsRead More - Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equianoanalytical essayHistory shows that both Africans and African Americans alike faced unique problems prior to and during the 1800's, particularly prior to 1865. One such problem is the issue of Diaspora and how culture and slavery has affected the choice of religion. It is the purpose of this paper to expose comparatively the extent to which individuals have been influenced by these issues. One such individual is Olaudah Equiano. By following and analyzing some of the key moments of faith in his life, this paper seeks to expose the extent to which the series of controversial dialectical incidents that happen throughout his early life, i.e., his cultural African religious traditions (thesis), and Christianity as taught by his slave masters (antithesis), had a direct influence in developing his own understanding of religion (synthesis). Furthermore, this paper will demonstrate Olaudah Equiano's decision was based on the impact of both the influences of culture and slavery, and a personal experience based on his perspective of divine intervention.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that both africans and african americans faced unique problems prior to and during the 1800's, particularly before 1865, such as the issue of diaspora and how culture and slavery affected the choice of religion.
- Explains that african religious traditions combine belief in a supreme being with the worship of other gods and ancestors.
- Analyzes how equiano narrates his life from boyhood onwards; he was born in a gold-coast african village, sold into slavery, moved to yet another village and finally captured and sold to european slave-owners.
- Analyzes how equiano's memoirs show that the natives believe that there is one creator of all things, who lives in the sun, is girded round with a belt, and that he may never eat or drink.
- Analyzes how olaudah equiano vividly recounts the distress and isolation that he felt during the middle passage to barbados and his fear that the "european slavers would eat him."
- Analyzes how equiano was baptized a christian in london at st. margaret's church in 1759. he reflects on his cruel "un-christian" treatment by christians.
- Analyzes how he recognizes christianity through different people and things, such as the hypocrisy demonstrated by the "un-christian like" slave owners and handlers and miss guerin's kindness combined with his interpretation of scripture.
- Analyzes how olaudah's life story is his synthesis. he acknowledges that god shadowed him with the wings of his mercy and brought him the way he knew not.
- Concludes that the life of olaudah equiano is the story of a christian convert who finds solace from bondage in the ministerings of divine intervention.
1506 wordsRead More - Rastafariexplanatory essayRastafari is, before it is anything else, a way of life. It offers approaches and answers to real problems black people face in daily living; it promotes spiritual resilience in the face of oppressive poverty and underdevelopment. It produces art, music and cultural forms, which can be universally recognized and appreciated. More important, Rastafari provides a positive self-image, an alternative to people who need and cannot find or accept one elsewhere. Even with its black foundation and orientation, Rastafarianism is open to anyone, of any race, who chooses to discover and is able to accept it.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that rastas believe that selassie i is the living jah (god) for the black race.
- Explains that rastas are selective about what they believe from the scriptures. they believe that jah created man and woman equally and as one and that black people replenished the earth.
- Explains that rastas believe that the police, who are agents of babylon, represent a government with no divine purpose because it functions without jah.
- Explains that rastafarians have a unique dialect and outward appearance. they speak with dramatic tone, making their stories clear and vivid.
- Explains that rastafari is a way of life that offers approaches and answers to real problems black people face in daily life, and promotes spiritual resilience in the face of oppressive poverty.
- Explains that rastas believe that crime of lust, passion and infidelity are not present unless invited. the dreadlocks hairstyle symbolizes their roots, in contrast to the straight, blond look of the white man establishment.
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