Rastafarianism

Rastafarianism

The Rastafarian religion has roots tracing to Africa, but it became well known in the ghettos of Jamaica. In these ghettos, a boy was born who would have an everlasting effect on the religion. This boy grew up to become a famous musician who then opened the world to the Rastafarian views and spread the Rastafarian message to thousands of people. Jamaica recognized his effect on the culture shortly before his death, which was mourned by millions. The man responsible for the worldwide recognition of the Rastafarian religion was Bob Marley. The Rastafarian religion has a vast history full of many beliefs, practices, and influential people.

The 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...

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...tory full of many beliefs, practices, and influential people. The history dates back to the ghettos of Jamaica in 1930. The crowing of Haile Selassie I fulfilled Marcus Garvey's prophecy, and the Rastafarian religion was born. Early leaders such as Leonard Howell helped shape the religions vast background. The Christian and Judaism influence is easily seen in their beliefs and customs. The ancient Egyptian mysteries helped make the religion unique. The religion was one full of unique customs. They had I-tal diets and believed in the smoking of marijuana. The lion and the colors red, yellow, and green are dominant symbols always associated with the religion. The Dreadlocks are the most famous symbol, but are now a trendy hairstyle and have lost much of their religious meaning. Bob Marley's music opened the world to the views and beliefs of the Rastafarians.