...Rastafari This page intentionally left blank Rastafari From Outcasts to Culture Bearers Ennis Barrington Edmonds 2003 198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide in Oxford New York Auckland Bangkok Buenos Aires Cape Town Chennai Dar es Salaam Delhi Hong Kong Istanbul Karachi Kolkata Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Mumbai Nairobi São Paulo Shanghai Taipei Tokyo Toronto Oxford is a registered trade mark of Oxford University Press in the UK and in certain other countries Copyright © 2003 by Ennis Barrington Edmonds The moral rights of the authors have been asserted Database right Oxford University Press (maker) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose this same condition on any acquirer Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Edmonds...
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...The origins of Rastafarian The name Rastafarian, which is derived from Ras, is the title given to Amharic Royalty in Ethiopia and Tafari, which is the pre-coronation name of His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia (1898-1975). A severe depression, racism and class discrimination during 1930 was the perfect environment for the rural and poor Jamaicans to embrace a new religion. This Poverty and disenchantment in the inner cities of Kingston gave way in the early 1930's to the black power movement through Marcus Garvey's "Back to Africa" movement. This movement is what eventually led to the emergence of Rastafari. In 1930, when Ras Tafari was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie and was given the ancient title given to all Ethiopian Kings " The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Conquering Lion of Judah", the prophecy was said to have been fulfilled. Revelations 5:5 and Ezekiel 28:25 are references used by Rastafarians as proof of the deity of Emperor Haile Selassie. He was seen as the deliverer who would take his people back to their promised land as stated in Ezekiel 28:25. This however did not happen. Rastafarians compare their exile from Africa via the means of slavery with the Israelites exile to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 25). Hence the word Babylon is used for any system that oppresses. There is also a comparison to the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt before they went to the Promised Land...
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... The use of ganja in Jamaica is not unique to Rastafarians. Before Rastafari began, ganja was used by herbalists in Jamaica as a medicine in teas. It was also mixed with tobacco for smoking. Ganja is considered the “wisdom weed” by Rastafarians, as its use helps one to gain wisdom. Rastafarians use it as a part of a religious rite and as a means of getting closer to their inner spiritual self, Jah (God) and Creation. Ganja is also seen by Rastafarians as the herb of life mentioned in the Bible. Rastafarians use of ganja is justified by the following Psalms 104:14 that says, “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Rastafarians also say it was found growing at the grave of King Solomon in the Bible. Rastafarian consume it through smoking and eating (not recomended). The smoking of Ganja is a part of a religious ritual. When there is a large “reasoning” gathering of Rastafarians, a Chalice, which is a large smoking pipe, may be passed around and smoked. This is similar to the passing around of a communion cup by some Christian denominations. These gatherings are also called Nyahbinghi (also the name of a Rastafarian sect: Theocratic Priesthood and Livity Order of Nyahbinghi). True Rastafarians do not smoke cigarettes as it is seen as un-natural and dangerous to one’s health. Marijuana is not the only plant or herb used by Rastafarians. They use a wide variety of herbs, plants for medicinal...
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...In: Other Topics Religious Education Sba Acknowledgement I would like to thank the LORD for giving me the will and strength to complete this assignment. Secondly I would like to thank my friends and family for their small input. Thank you all for your participation to the completion and success of this School Based Assessment. Statement of Aims Topic: The Rastafarian main symbols and their importance It is the intention of the researcher to: 1. Find out the origin of Rastafarianism 2. To identify the main symbols of Rastafarians 3. To investigate the importance of the symbols Methodology The information for this research was gathered mainly through the review of literature and from the internet. I started my research on October 20, 2011 and was finished within a two week period. Information was gathered from different sources found on different websites and from literature as seen in the bibliography. Introduction In the following project you will learn of the origin of the Rasta way of life, which arose as a result of a period of severe depression, racism and class discrimination, during the 1930. This was the perfect chance for poor people to embrace their religion, so they did. You will also learn of the different important symbols of the Rasta’s, namely, ganja, the Star of David, the word Jah, the conquering lion and the lamb, dreadlocks and the Rasta flag. These are of grave importance, being a part of their day to day activities and living. In...
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...According to Max Weber, religion emerges to satisfy a social need. “In treating suffering as a symptom of odiousness in the eyes of gods and as a sign of secret guilt, religion has psychologically met a very general need (Weber 271). Rastafarianism emerges in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica in the 1930’s to meet the needs of the poor, unskilled black Jamaicans who needed a hope. The social situation which was emerging in the 1930’s which called for this need was as follows. Jamaica was a commonwealth of the British Empire. It had recently, around 1884, received a write in clause to their constitution which stipulated if the new government did not succeed and the economic life of Jamaica were to suffer because of it, the political constitution would be amended or abolished to meet new conditions. Black Jamaicans had a taste for power in their mouths and in 1938, this erupted in labor riots and violence. This act did nothing for their cause. It would still be 30 years until Jamaica received its independence. Blacks in Jamaica were the victims of social stratification which left them at the bottom rung of the ladder. They had menial jobs such as field worker or an attendant at the sugar plant, if they had jobs at all. The blacks were suffering as a people and as an organized group. Ethopianism had been introduced to Jamaica in 1784 by George Liele, by adding it to the name of his Baptist church, hoping to graft itself onto the African religion of Jamaican slaves. But the movement...
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...A brief introduction on Rastafarianism The Rastafarian religion was originated in Africa it is not just a religion, but away of life. Rastafarians speak out against poverty, oppression and inequality, not just religion ideas but global problems. For many years Rastafarian continues to grow against the tide of official and social approbation. The early elders were charged with sedition and locked up, while others were declared insane placed in the Jamaican equivalent of Bedlam. Even though Rasta was the poorest and the lowest of all they were secure with great knowledge. This religion is more than a religious gathering, however, since Rasta does not compartmentalize life into spiritual and non-spiritual periods it is an integrated way of living and of thinking of what goes beyond most definitions of religion. In 1933-1934 there was a Rastafarian movement. This movement was led by Haile Selassie I whose previous name was Rastafari Makonnen before he was crowned Emperor under the name of Haile Selassie I in October 1930. During this movement the Rastafarian take the bible as its sacred text, but interprets it in an Afro-centric because they want to reverse the changes that the “White” that made. The Rastafarian movement was closely linked to the ancient history of the Ethiopian civilization and largely based on the identification which Blacks have made with Ethiopia by virtue of biblical symbolism. In Ethiopia...
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...circumstances, while at the same time building cohesion. In the case of the poor Black Jamaican, the Rastafarian religion offered...
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...schedule and when were they collected? Formulating Questionnaires: Look at the aims and form questions based on these aims and all the questions must relate to the topic chosen. Summary of Findings This section should provide the information to cover your aims. For example if the aims are to discover: (1) What is the most important Rastafarian symbol? (2) How are these symbols used in the Rastafarian Movement? (3) How has the use of the Rastafarian symbols impacted on Jamaica? You would therefore have to provide information under the following headings for the summary of findings: * Important Rastafarian symbol * Rastafarian symbols and their purposes * The impact of the Rastafarian symbols on the Jamaican society. Simply put, the summary of findings is the information that is researched based on the aims. Analysis and Interpretation of Data In this section you can use diagrams to represent your findings or simply provide a description of their findings. Interpretation is to say in percentage how the respondents answered the questions. For example, the questionnaire asks: “What is the most important Rastafarian symbol?” Questionnaire results shows: Lion 60% Flag 5% Dreadlocks 25% You illustrate this on a chart and speak to each response, as demonstrated below....
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...NAME colene NAME OF SCHOOL: western mm high CENTER NUMBER: 4467 TERRITORY: Jamaica YEAR: 2013 TEACHER: Miss blackitonemanson TITLE OF RESEARCH: What are the major symbols in the Rastafarian Religion? * Identify the major symbols in the Rastafarian religion. * Describe how each symbol is used. * Assess the significance of each symbol to the Rastafarian community. The data was collected between the periods of July 10-19, 2012. The researcher visited the St Ann’s bay parish library where the researcher found information on the beliefs and symbols of the Rastafarian religion in the test books present. The internet was also used to obtain some of the information. On the 5th of August, an interview was done between the researcher and Mr. Abejah Smith who lives in Runaway Bay, St Ann. He was asked questions that were previously prepared by the researcher .answers received were documented. PICTURE 1 Rastafarian Dreadlocks. PICTURE 2 The Marijuana plant PICTURE 3 The Rastafarian Flag. PICTURE 4 The Conquering lion of Judah. PICTURE showing some the Rastafarian tams PICTURE showing a suit made of the Rastafarian colours. PICTURE showing a woman wearing the dress which is made with the Rastafarian colours. PICTURE showing a Rasta man smoking. RASTA BRACELET RASTA NECLACE LEATAHER RASTA BRACELET COCO EARING ...
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...Ganja………………………………….8 Summary of Findings………………….9 Analysis of Interpretation………………10 Questionnaire……………………………11 Bibliography…………………………….12 Aims/Objectives 1. To highlight the importance of each symbol used 2. To state occasion on each symbol used 3. To describe the symbols in rastafari 4. To state the impact of each of the symbols used Acknowledgement I would like to thank all my friends and family for their small input on helping me in my School Based Assessment. I also appreciate the help of the author’s in the library at St.Catherine High School in guiding me in my research. Introduction In the following S.B.A, it will be stating the importance of each symbol Colors The colors associated with the Rastafarian religion are red, green, gold, and black which have a multitude of meanings. The Ethiopian flag is red, gold and green, so the use of these colors represents the people’s allegiance to Africa and a return to their Ethiopian homeland. Red is representative of the blood spilt in the name of freedom, particularly of slaves brought over during the colonial period. Green symbolizes Jamaica and its vegetation, which holds an important place in the practice of the religion. Gold is the wealth of Ethiopia, as well as hope and faith. Black is the color of African skin and is considered a color of holiness. The colors are displayed prominently on houses, temples, vehicles and clothing to create unity among the believers. Lion The lion is connected...
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...Jamaica: The Rastafarian Movement Introduction to the Rastafari Phenomenon By Nathaniel Samuel Murrell Seldom has such a relatively small cultural phenomenon as Rastafari attracted so much attention from young people, the media, and scholars in the fields of religion, anthropology, politics, and sociology. The signature long, natty dreads on the heads of Rastafarians, who fearlessly chant down Babylon (Western political and economic domination and cultural imperialism) with the help of reggae music, make Rastafari a highly visible movement and "one of the most powerful cultural forces among youths in Jamaica" and in countries around the world where one least expects to find elements of Afro-Caribbean culture. Between the 1930s and the 1950s, few people bothered to study the significance of the political and ideological concepts in Rastafarian culture. Even Jamaicans who may have understood the philosophy of the movement regarded Rastafari as another passing fad, which would die a natural death once the novelty wore off. Former Rastafarian and practicing psychologist Leahcim Tefani Semaj noted that during this phase of the movement, the dominant public opinion toward the Rastafarians was "The damn Rasta dem, wey de Rasta dem want, we just put dem in a damn boat and put dem out in the sea and sink the boat-say dem want go Africa!" Prior to the 1970s, images of the unsanitary-looking, marijuana-smoking "Natty Dread" with unkempt dreadlocks, often controlling...
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...A holy day of celebration for Rastafarians. 11 Ethiopian New Year’s Day Rastafarians celebrate the New Year. November 2 Anniversary of the crowning of Haile Selassie I On this day, Rastafarians celebrate Haile Selassie the 1st being crowned the Emperor of Ethiopia. Haile Selassie is believed to be the Messiah. God Rastafarians believe that God – or Jah – revealed himself through a succession of saviours or avatars, beginning with Moses. He was followed by Elijah, Jesus Christ and finally Haile Selassie. Origins Rastafarianism was officially established in 1930 when Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and proclaimed Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Elect of God, Conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah. I and I The concept of I and I expresses the belief that all people are one and that God exists in all of us. Statistics There are up to a million Rastafarians worldwide. It is estimated that 60% of people living in Jamaica are Rastafarian or support the faith. Just over 5,000 Rastafarians live in the UK, with around NUMBER in Tower Hamlets. Structure * No official church buildings or leaders * Each individual group and person is autonomous 7 Christmas Day Rastafarianism Rastafarians worldwide celebrate Christmas on this day to coincide with Christmas celebrations in Ethiopia. July 23 Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie I Rastafarianism A holy day of commemoration for Rastafarians. September 11 Ethiopian New...
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...Dreadlocks originated in Africa but goes back to biblical times when it was worn by the Nazarenes. One of the Nazarite vows is “They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in their flesh” which can be found in the book of Leviticus 21:5. Nowadays dreadlocks is worn by everyone even if they are not a committed Rasta. I recommend that the dreadlocks should not be as sacred and significant since it is now being worn by non-committed Rastafarians. Marijuana or Ganja is very sacred and has a lot of uses in the Rastafari community. It is used for medicinal purposes and is use for smoking as a part of a ritual. Ganja is also considered the “wisdom weed” by Rastafarians, as its use helps one to gain wisdom. Rastafarians believe that the Ganja was found on King Solomon’s grave hence that is why they believe it is a God given herb. Ganja is also seen by Rastafarians as the herb of life mentioned in the Bible. Rastafarians use of ganja is justified by the following Psalms 104:14 that says, “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Since cigarettes and alcohol are legal I recommend that ganja should be legalized since it is not only used for negativity but as a form of worship by the Rastafari community. Rastafari diet is mostly made up of natural and herbal products. Food approved for Rastafari is called ital. They...
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...illegal. The Jamaican environment and climate was the perfect place for the plant to grow. The use of ganja in Jamaica is not unique to Rastafarians. Before Rastafari began, ganja was used by herbalists in Jamaica as a medicine in teas. It was also mixed with tobacco for smoking. Ganja is considered the "wisdom weed" by Rastafarians, as its use helps one to gain wisdom. Rastafarians use it as a part of a religious rite and as a means of getting closer to their inner spiritual self, Jah (God) and Creation. Marijuana and Other Rasta Symbols-Body-4 Ganja is also seen by Rastafarians as the herb of life mentioned in the Bible. Rastafarians use of ganja is justified by the following Psalms 104:14 that say, "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth." Rastafarians also say it was found growing at the grave of King Solomon in the Bible. Rastafarian consumes it through smoking and eating (not recommended). The smoking of Ganja is a part of a religious ritual. When there is a large "reasoning" gathering of Rastafarians, a Chalice, which is a large smoking pipe, may be passed around and smoked. This is similar to the passing around of a communion cup by some Christian denominations. These gatherings are also called Nyahbinghi (also the name of a Rastafarian sect: Theocratic Priesthood and Levity Order of Nyahbinghi). True...
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...included) when the topic of Rastafarianism enters into the conversation. Most non-Rastafarians do not hold the religion in high regard, and consider it just an excuse to get high and listen to reggae music all day. Surprisingly, while growing up I witnessed more white suburban teens embracing Rastafarianism than I ever saw blacks of any age embracing it; even more confusing is the fact that Rastafarians are rumored to be anti-white. Talk about conflicting information. When you witness one thing but hear another, how do you determine the truth? Being guilty of said misconceptions myself, I set out on my quest to get to the truth. I felt that the best way to uncover the truth would be to speak to a real Rastafarian. I caught up with a gentleman by the name of Ras Kamau who agreed to answer a few questions on Rastafarian beliefs, history, as well as shed some light on a few of the myths and misconceptions that other people including myself have regarding his religion. Haile Selassie I The Rastafarian religion plants its roots in Africa, and is frequently associated with the underprivileged black population of Jamaica. The followers of Rastafari consider it to be more of a way of life, and not just a religion. Rastafarians consider themselves to be advocates of global issues and often speak out against social injustices such as inequality, oppression and poverty. The foundation of the Rastafarian religion is rooted in the Holy Bible, which is believed to be the word of God....
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