Rastafari: Roots and Ideology - Essay Example

Rastafari Movement The Rastafari ideology and ritual is a spiritual movement which arose in Jamaica during the 1930s. The adherents worship Emperor Haile Selassie who ruled Ethiopia from 1930-1974, as he is considered as the Jesus Incarnate. Rastafari is formed from two words Ras and Tafari. Ras takes the meaning of head and Tafari being the pre-regnal name of Haile Selassie. Rastafari is uniquely distinguished as it asserts its doctrines on the belief that the Emperor of Ethiopia is an incarnation of God who is known as Jah as he is seen as the king chosen by God on earth. Haile Selassie is seen as Jah Rastafari or Jah by most of the people who believe in the ideologies of Rastafarism. Haile Selassie as considered by others simply just the king on earth who has been chosen by God while others view him as the second coming of Jesus Christ. The Rastafari movement has its fundamentals based on various themes such as the rejection of the ideals of the western society, known as Babylon, and the spiritual use of cannabis. Cannabis is believed to be beneficial and natural herb which through smoking forms part of worship. Babylon is believed to be the white political structure which has been oppressing the black races for many years (Chevannes, p.34). They believe that blacks have become poor, and illiterate due to the trickery of the white man. Africa is known as Zion and is believed to be the original birth place of mankind. The call to repatriation to Africa has been central to the theme of Rastafari as they would like most or all the slaves who forced out of Africa into exile by the West need to return to their original place of birth. The theme of royalty is also profound in Rastafari as its believers see themselves as the African Royalty. Rastafari also embraces various Pan-African and Afrocentric political and social aspirations, such as the teachings and sociopolitical views of Jamaican organizer, black nationalist, and publicist Marcus Garvey who is often regarded as a prophet. Marcus Garvey plays a vital role in the formation of Rastafarianism as he prophesied that a black messiah would be born in Africa. As it turned out in 1930 Ras Tafari the prince became an Emperor in Ethiopia. This led to many people believing he was the black messiah who had been prophesied by Marcus Garvey. Rastafari is viewed as an ideology and a movement but not a highly organized religion. Its believers see it just a way of life and not a religion. That is why several Rastas do not claim any denomination or sect, thus encouraging one another to always find inspiration and faith within themselves (Chevannes, p. 123). The most prominent inspiration mansions of Rastafari are the twelve tribes of Israel, Bobo Ashanti, and Nyahbinghi. Bobo Shanti order was founded in 1958 by Prince Emanuel Edwards which focuses on the need of the African daughters and sons to return to Africa where they rightfully belong to. This led to the high regard in which followers of the Rastafari movement hold onto Prince Emmanuel since they see him as another God along with Haile Selassie. With Marcus Garvey being the black prophet all the three form what is commonly known as the holy trinity. The Bobo Shanti order is also of the believe that the black people need to be reimbursed just for a short while in the slavery world. The twelve tribes of Israel is another Rastafari movement which was founded in Jamaica. Vernon Carrington is believed to be the founder and is known as the prophet Gad who taught his followers on the need to one chapter of the bible every day. Haile Selassie is seen as the divinely chosen representative of God on earth as the Covenant Rastafaris do believe. The twelve tribes of Israel is therefore a representation of the twelve sons that Jacob had. Bob Marley is believed to have originated from the tribe of Joseph who was the eleventh son of Jacob. Reuben’s tribe also form the other set of order which exists in the Rastafari movement. The twelve tribes order preaches the need of love toward all people and is very anti-racist. Niyabinghi is the oldest order amongst the Rastafari mansions. This term has the meaning of black victory which shows the manifestation of the wisdom of Jah. It is a very strict mansion which solely focuses on the incarnation of Jah through the promised Messiah Haile Selassie. The spread of the Rastafari movement has been hugely attributed to the interest which has been continually generated by the reggae music. Major international success was achieved through the songs of Bob Marley which led to the building of around one million faithful of the Rastafari movements. Through migration the Rastafari movement has spread to the Afro-Caribbean communities in the United States and Europe. The positive message about seeking freedom and being black with the image of the positive messiah makes Rastafari very compelling, which has ensured that it spreads in the Caribbean countries. Effect of Colonialism on Gebusi, Jibaro, and Rastafari Cultures The Gebusi, Jibaro, and Rastafari culture have been hugely influenced by the various effects of colonialism. Influence of these cultures has been as a result of the European traditions and culture, especially the Spanish, British, and French. Over the course of time the essentials of the culture of the immigrants and African populations have been incorporated in the Gebusi, Jibaro and Rastafari culture (Chevannes, p. 201). These cultures have been strongly influenced by economic, linguistic, and culture of the neighboring countries in the United States. These cultures were hugely influenced by the laws, programs, and institutions which were put in place by the colonial governments and administrations. Just like other cultures, the Rastafari, Gebusi, and Jibaro cultures have been a product of geography, political, and historical systems. Through the migration systems triggered by the colonialists, these Caribbean cultures have blended to form unique cuisine, customs and traditions which have been fundamental in the socio-cultural development of these cultures. With the advent of the Rastafari culture in the 1930s, the effect of colonialism did not play a major role in its development. This is hugely attributed to the significant contribution of Marcus Garvey. The ideals preached by Garvey have been essential in the formation of the Rastafari movement. The major impact of colonialism in the Rastafari movement is the introduction of manufactured foods. Rastafari culture believes in the use of natural foods. This impact of colonialism has seen some of the followers of the Rastafari movement use the manufactured foods as they have been made available (Chevannes, p. 106). The Gibaro culture has also experienced tremendous changes due to colonialism. With colonialism, many people have been enlightened leading to their disregard of the culture which has been witnessed in its continual degradation. Jibaro culture has also experienced significant changes due to the colonial impacts. This can be attributed to the need for people to move out from the indigenous ways of life to embrace the teachings of colonialism. With the current modernization in the Caribbean countries, these cultures are continually being changed to suit the current trends in the society. However it must be also noted that colonialism has had a major impact on the relation that exists between the Rastafari movement and the bible. Rastafari ideologies are well rooted in the people who live in the rural villages as all they do is rise in the Rastafari culture and levity. These people only speak about spirituality, wisdom, and black consciousness. This is in contrast with the Rastas who live in the urban towns. The Rastas hear have their teachings derived from the bible as opposed to those who live in the rural areas. This is an indication that there is a clear connection with urbanization and reading the bible. During this day and age urbanization is unanimously associated with westernization which has a direct link with colonization. One of the central themes in Rastafari movement is Babylon. Babylon advocates for the need of all the people who believe in the Rastafari ideologies to reject all that is related to the west. Rejecting the impacts brought about by the west through colonization is a clear indication on how it was vital in the formation of the Rastafari ideologies. Without the colonization, the Rastafari ideologies would not be existence as its fundamentals are based on the need to reject what the civilized world brings forth. Colonization led to the booming of the slave trade in Puerto Rico, Bali, and Jamaica. Through slave trade many people were displaced which led to the loss and the formation of different cultural ideologies. Some of the cultures altered and formed through slave trade include among others, Gebusi, Jibaro, and Rastafari cultures. The ideologies behind the formation of these cultures were necessitated by the need of the people with different culture backgrounds to form common ideologies. One of the most common unifying factor was the need to reject the influences of the west. Works Cited Chevannes, Barry. Rastafari: Roots and Ideology (Utopianism & Communitarians). New York: Syracuse University Press; 1994 Read More