The emergence and expansion of Rastafarianism has been a subject for some scholarly study in the Caribbean. The movement has flourished in due process as an outlet to a huge social and psychological confusions and decades-long conflicts inside the movement and society of the islands. To many sociologists, it is the inevitable consequence of Africans in Diaspora, people seeking to define their own identity and psychological needs. It is a movement created not by a revolution but out of confusions and in search of their roots with a Black God on the top.
Rastafarianism presents a mixture of politics and theology that has emerged out of its formative years, as they call it “in the Babylon”. In creating their own religion the Rastafarians depend not only on the historical, social or empirical experience of African descendants in the Diaspora but also for their own analysis to determine an active plan for liberation. Regardless of other social norms, they draw on the transcendental sources of human sensibility, theocracy and imagination.
For as persons who see themselves to be persecuted, wronged and deprived, to be all but trapped in a situation of persistent material poverty including cultural degradation, the only way they see to get out of this situation “Babylon” is through an apocalypse.
From the early Christian history we know that small groups who have worshipped false gods or established their own Temples never succeeded and their religions have corroded including their followers. However, it seems different with the Rastafarians; because their movement is growing stronger -speeding in almost all the continents.
This book is in part a revised version of both books “Babylon Muss Fallen, Germany 1989 and “The Rastafarians: In search of Their Identity, Puerto Rico 1985” and in part a contribution of Rastafarian elders, women, activists and musicians.
Dozens of authors wrote in this book and throughout the entire book, we have tried to reflect their ideas and philosophy by printing the interviews in their own words of Rastafarian Language (not in pure Creole English or Jamaican Patois = Patwa) to preserve the originality. Thus, we warn our readers that all words and phrases they find in this book is not written in a standard English but intentionally written (and we were kindly requested ) to reflect the importance of the words and how they use them to interpret their deep philosophical ideas.
G.Y. Iyassu Menelik.
April 2009, Miami Beach, FL
Table of Contents
1. THE EMERGENS OF RASTAFARI
1.1. IMPORTANT SCRIPTURES AND BOOKS IN RASTAFARIAN THEOLOGY
1.2. KEY FIGURES IN RASTAFARIANS MOVEMENT
1.3. ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURES
1.4. THE RISE OF MARCUS GARVEY
1.5. LEONARD P.HOWELL’S CONTRIBUTION
1.6. GARVEY IN HARLEM NEW YORK
1.6.1. GARVEY CREATES THE UNIA
1.6.2. GARVEY´S BLACKSTAR LINE
1.6.3. GARVEY AND BLACK NATIONALISM
1.6.4. GARVEY: MAN IS A PART OF CREATION
2. GARVEYISM AS AN IDEOLOGICAL MOVEMENT
2.1. GARVEY AND THE MOVEMENT
2.1.1. THE DOCTRINE OF SUCCESS
2.1.2. DYNAMICS OF THE NEW THOUGHT
2.1.3. VICTORIAN HISTORICAL SENSEBILITYAND LITERARY TASTE
2.1.3.1. VANITY FAIR
2.1.3.2. THE PLACE NEXT TO HELL
2.1.4. POETRY AND ORAL TRADITION
2.1.5. DIALOGUES AND RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES
2.2. AFRICAN FUNDAMENTALISM
2.3. CLASSICAL INFLUENCES AND THE IDEAL STATE
2.3.1. PLATO’S LAWS
2.3.2. THE IDEAL STATE AND THE UNIA
2.3.3. POLITICAL CORRUPTION
2.3.4. RACIAL EDUCATION
2.3.5. SHORT-LIVED SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES
2.3.6. GARVEY´S COURSE IN AFRICAN PHILOSOPHY
3. IDENTIFICATION OF GARVEYISM WITH ZIONISM
3.1. ETHIOPIANISM
3.1.1. JEWISH PATRONAGE
3.1.2 GARVEY ADMIRED FASCISM, RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM
3.2. SELF IDENTIFICATION WITH HITLER
3.2.1. GARVEY´S ANTI-SEMITIC BELIEFS
3.2.2. GARVEY’S SCHOOL OF RACIAL PHILOSOPHY
3.3. GARVEY ATTACKS HAILE SELASSIE
3.3.1. MUSSOLINI HAILED BY GARVEY
3.3.2. HALLE SELASSIE PROVED A CRINGING COWARD
3.3.3. HAILE SELASSIE -BAD TASTE TO THE ABYSSINIAS
3.3.4. WHAT RIGHT HAS HE?
3.3.5. ITALY’S CONQUEST OF ABYSSINIA
3.3.6. ACK OF EDUCATION
3.3.7. THE INCONSISTENCY OF THE EMPEROR
3.3.8. HAILE SELLASIE IS PROUD OF SHEBA BUT NOT OF SOLOMON
3.3.9. ETHIOPIA SHALL STRETCH FORTH HER HANDS
3.3.10. THE EMPEROR REJECTED BLACK DELEGATION
3.3.11. EMPEROR GAVE POOR EDUCATION
3.3.13. GARVEY THE PROPHET AND IDEOLOGIST
4. MYSTICISM AND LIFE STYLE
4.1. RASTARIAN SPIRITUALITY
4.2. THE UTOPIAN CITY –BULL BAY
4.3. HINDUISM PAGAN ISM OR BACK TO AFRICA
4.4. DIFFERENT STYLE
4.5. PURITY THROUGH MEDITATION AND I TAL FOOD
4.5.1. THOU SHALL NOT KILL TO EAT
4.5.2. JAH HAS ALLOWED MAN TO EAT FLESH
4.5.3 SPIRITUALITY AND ITAL FOOD
4.5.4. STRICT RECEIPS FOR A SPIRITUAL I TAL
5. RASTAFARIAN THEOLOGY
5.1. THE BLACK JESUS – ISIS JAH
5.2. DOCTRINE
5.2.1. BIBLICAL RESPONSE
5.2.2. ROOTS REVOLUTION
5.3. HAILE SELASSIE - THE RETURNED MESSIAH
5.3.1. NOBODY COULD KILL THE MAN CHRIST!
5.3.2. JAH ! MAN OF GOD OF ISRAEL
5.3.3. RASTA AND TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN THEORY
5.3.4. THE LAST PART OF THE BIBLE
5.4. SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT THEOLOGY
5.4.1. THE BIBLE SEMINARY
5.4.2. THE ORIGINAL BIBLICAL FAITH
5.5. MANSIONS OF RASTAFARI MOVEMENT
5.5.1. BOBO SHANTI
5.5.2. NYAHBHINGI ORDER
5.5.3. THE GARVEYITE AFRICAN ORIENTATION
5.5.4. THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL
5.6. THE BLACK ISRAELITES
5.7. DREADLOCKS THEOLOGY
6. RASTAFARIANS AND MYSTISISM
6.1. RASTA PRAYERS
6.2. STEPPING OUT OF BABYLON
6.2.1. RASTAFARIAN´S MIRACLE STORY
6.2.2. VISIONS OF LIFE
6.3. JAH REVANG
6.3.1. IN THE ARMAGEDDON TIME
6.3.2. RASTAFARI IS MYSTICAL
7. DIVINE GOVERNMENT AND FAITH
7.1. NYABINGHI AND PRAYER RITUALS
7.1.1. HOUSE OF THE ORDER OF NYABINGHI
7.1.2. NYAHBINGHI AND RASTAFARIANS
7.2. THE GROUNATION DAY
7.3. THE ECUMENIST CRISIS:
7.4. THE SHEARING OF LOCKS
7.5. ELDER SYSTEMS AND THEOCRACY POWER
7.5.1. HYMN: JUMP NYAHBINGHI
7.5.2. HYMN: KEY MAN WINS THE FIGHT
7.5.3. HYMN: I. N. R. I.
8. EARLY DAYS OF TRIBULATION
8.1. THE CASE OF BUSTAMANTE
8.2. BLACKMAN DECEIVED.
8.3. FORGOTTEN PEOPLE AND A LOST CULTURE
8.4. REPATRIATION IS A MUST
8.4.1. BACK-TO-AFRICA MISSION
8.4.2. REPATRIATION SHALL BE A REALITY
8.4.3. AFRICAN REDEMPTION
9. IN SEARCH OF DIVINITY
9.1. THE COPTIC DEITY
9.2. MOUNT ZION CHURCH
9.3. THE ZION COPTIC CHURCH
9.4. RASTAFARI’S HOLY TRINITY
9.5. ON THE COMING OF THE SON
9.6. CHURCH OF THE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CONVENTION
9.7. FINAL DAYS OF TRIBULATION.
9.8. COPTIC FOR LIBERATION
10. RASTAFARIANS THE BIBLE AND MARIJUANA
10.1. THE USE OF MARIJUANA AS AN INCENSE
10.1.1. THE IRANIAN SCYTHIANS AND THE SEMITIC KANBOS
10.1.2. THE USE OF INCENSE IN OLD TESTAMENT
10.2. THE SYMBOLISM OF FIRE IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
10.3. MARIJUANA AS THE CHRISTIAN SACRAMENT
10.3.1. BEHOLD, I HAVE GIVEN YOU EVERY HERB
10.3.2. IN THE CLOUD OF SMOKING INCENSE
10.3.3. ENLARGEMENT OF CONSCIOUSNESS
10.3.4. EUCHARIST IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SMOKE
10.3.5. SPIRIT AND MATTER ARE INSEPARABL
10.4. MARIJUANA IS THE WEED OF WISDOM
10.5. IT INCREASES SELF-CONFIDENCE
10.6. MARIJUANA IN INDIA
10.7. MARIJUANA USE IN IRAN, EGYPT, CHINA JAPAN
10.8. IN EUROPE AFRICA AND THE NEW WORLD
11. RASTAFARIAN, MARIJUANA AND THE LAW
11.1. THE GANJA MAN IN THE U.S.
11.2. LEGALIZE IT
11.3. GANJA MAN AND THE POLITICS
11.4. RASTA, MARIJUANA AND PRISON
11.5. ANTIGUA RASTAS CHALLANGE GANJA LAWS
11.6. MARIJUANA AND THE JAMAICAN LAW
11.7. GANJA - JAMAICAS ECONOMIC HOPE?
11.8. COGNITION AND LONG-TERM USE OF GANJA
12. IN SEARCH OF LIFE STYLE:
12.1. HAIR IN THEORY
12.2. HOWTO BE A DREAD NATURALLY
12.3. WAXE AND DREAD
12.4. THICK AND THIN LOCKS
12.5. DREAD AND THE COMMUNITY
12.6. BOBON-GONGO-DREAD
13. REASONING HISTORY
13.1. RASTAFARIAN LANGUAGE AND WORDS
13.2. WORDS AND POLITICS (POLY-TRICKS)
13.3. STRAW WORK IDENTIFIED ISRAEL
13.4. RASTA ELDERS ON DIFFERENT ORDERS
13.4.1. RASTA PIDOW
13.4.2. RASTA SAM BROWN
13.4.3. EMMANUEL CHARLES EDWARDS
13.4.4. RASTA JAH BONES
13.4.5. RASTA JAH BULL
14. THE WOMAN AND THE RASTA MOVEMENT
14.1. THE FEMALE TABOO AND RASTA WOMEN
14.2. BEING A WOMAN IN A COMMUNITY
14.2.1. WOMAN IN RASTA CULTURE
14.2.2. HOUSEWIFE AND MOTHER
14.2.3. IN REGARDS TO ABORTION
14.3. WOMEN BIBLICAL POSITION
14.4. WOMEN IN ORDAINED LEADERSHIP
14.5. THE NYAHBINGHI MAN AND WOMEN
15. RASTA AND THE EVOLUTION OF REGGAE
15.1. EARLY PRODUCERS
15.2. THA MARLEY UPRISING
15.3. THE ROOTS OF MARLEY’S GONG
15.4. INTERVIEW WITB MRS: BOOKER
15. 5. MARLY AND CATCH A FIRE
15.6. DREAD INNA BABYLON
15. 7. SO JA SEH
15.7. MESSANGER- MASTERANDDIPLOMAT
16. ON ETHIOPIA AND THE BABYLON SYSTEM
16.1. THE ETHIOPIAN WORLD FEDERATION INC.
16.2. HAILE SELASSIE’S ARRIVAL TO JAMAICA
16.3. ETHIOPIA´S GIFT -SHASHAMENE
16.4. ON BABYLON SYSTEM
16.5. BABYLON SYSTEM -ZIGGY MARLEY
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the emergence and expansion of Rastafarianism in the Caribbean, focusing on its role as a response to deep-seated social and psychological conflicts. The author explores how the movement, rooted in the search for identity among the African Diaspora, blends political activism with complex theological frameworks, notably through its interpretation of figures like Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey. The core research question addresses how Rastafarianism functions as a mechanism for cultural resilience and identity formation in the face of colonial legacy and persistent material poverty.
- The historical development of Rastafarianism and its ideological formative years.
- The theological synthesis of Ethiopianism, Christian scripture, and African identity.
- The sociopolitical impact of Marcus Garvey and his Pan-African ideology on the movement.
- The role of spiritual practices, meditation, and "ital" dietary laws in Rasta lifestyle.
- The evolution of reggae music as a vehicle for the movement’s philosophy and global reach.
Excerpt from the Book
1. THE EMERGENS OF RASTAFARI
Rastafari is a movement emerged in the Caribbean adhering a mixture of Coptic-Orthodox Christianity, Black Messianic Judaism and Buddhism. Its unstoppable outgrowth has also affected the colonial inherited culture Religion and Psychology of the Caribbean society. Rastafari has been branded by many writers as a religious cult, a militant religion or as a sect. The fact is, Rastafarians do not consider themselves to be none of the above and many ridicule any type of categorization. The name Rastafari, which is derived from the Ethiopian language of Amharic Ras (head of a Province), is the title given in Ethiopia and Tafari is a simple common name. In Ethiopia, every member of the Coptic-orthodox Church receives a baptismal name which was used by Ras Tafari (in Amharic Teferi) to his coronation in 1930.
During those days in Jamaica, a brutal poverty, depression, racism and oppression were the perfect environment for the rural and poor Jamaicans to embrace a new direction or alternatives. The general bitterness in the inner cities of Jamaica 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 traditional title given to all Ethiopian Emperors „The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Conquering Lion of Judah has prevailed". Jamaicans heard the news and saw the pictures of Haile Selassie’s coronation with invited European royalists bowing in front of a black “King of Kings” and they affirmed that the prophecy was said to have been fulfilled.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER I: THE FORMATIVE YEARS: This chapter traces the origins of the movement, highlighting the socioeconomic conditions in Jamaica and the influence of Marcus Garvey’s "Back to Africa" philosophy.
CHAPTER II: THE DYNAMICS OF THE MOVEMENT: This section analyzes Garveyism as an ideological framework and explores the adaptation of "New Thought" and the doctrine of success within the Rastafarian context.
CHAPTER III: CONFLICTING IDEOLOGIES: The author discusses the ideological intersections and tensions between Garveyism, Zionism, and the political stance of the movement towards Haile Selassie.
CHAPTER IV: SPIRITUALITY MEDITATION AND DIET: This chapter focuses on the lifestyle aspects of Rastafari, specifically the practice of "ital" food and the role of meditation in achieving a state of "oneness".
CHAPTER V: CONFLICTING THEOLOGY: The author details the diverse interpretations of Jesus Christ, the divinity of Haile Selassie, and the various "mansions" of the Rastafari movement.
CHAPTER VI: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTORTION: This chapter investigates the mystical elements of Rastafarian belief and its psychological implications in the face of perceived external oppression.
CHAPTER VII: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THEOCRACY: The text examines the governance structures within Nyabinghi and other orders, emphasizing their rejection of secular political authority.
CHAPTER VIII: THE IMPACT OF SLAVERY: This section explores the historical trauma of slavery as a foundational driver for the movement's focus on repatriation to Africa.
CHAPTER IX: SELF MARGINALIZATION AND CONFUSION: The author reflects on the search for divinity, the Coptic influence, and the ongoing struggle for authentic identity.
CHAPTER X: EUCHARIST, DRUG AND CONFLICTS: This chapter addresses the ritual use of marijuana, analyzing its symbolic function as a sacrament within the movement.
CHAPTER XI: MARIJUANA AND THE LAW: The author provides a detailed look at the legal challenges faced by the Zion Coptic Church and the movement's struggle against drug legislation.
CHAPTER XII: DREADLOCKS: This chapter explores the cultural and symbolic significance of dreadlocks as a hallmark of Rastafarian identity and lifestyle.
CHAPTER XIII: WORDS, HISTORY AND POLITICS: The text explores how language and oral tradition are utilized to redefine history and resist colonial influence.
CHAPTER XIV: RASTA - WOMEN AND THE MOVEMENT: The author critically addresses the role of women in Rastafarian culture, discussing issues of inequality and the struggle for agency.
CHAPTER XV: THE EMERGENCE OF REGGAE: This chapter charts the evolution of reggae music as a revolutionary cultural force deeply tied to Rastafarian beliefs.
CHAPTER XVI: DREAD INNA BABYLON SYSTEM: The final chapter summarizes the movement's relationship with Ethiopia and the broader struggle against the "Babylon" system.
Keywords
Rastafari, Haile Selassie I, Marcus Garvey, Ethiopia, Zion, Babylon, Ganja, Marijuana, Reggae, Nyabinghi, Repatriation, African Diaspora, Identity, Theocracy, Ital food
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work explores the origins, theological evolution, and sociopolitical dimensions of Rastafarianism, specifically its emergence from the Caribbean experience of the African Diaspora.
What are the central themes of the book?
Key themes include the quest for African identity, the deification of Haile Selassie I, the influence of Marcus Garvey’s ideology, the use of marijuana as a sacrament, and the role of reggae music as a cultural catalyst.
What is the primary research question?
The book seeks to understand how Rastafarianism provides a spiritual and social framework for identity formation and resistance against the legacy of colonial oppression.
Which methodologies are employed by the author?
The author combines scholarly historical research with qualitative methods, including interviews with Rastafarian elders, activists, and musicians to reflect the authentic voices within the movement.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It spans the formative years of the movement, its diverse theological interpretations, the lifestyle and dietary practices of different orders, and the emergence of reggae as an international voice for the movement.
Which key terms define this work?
Essential terms include Rastafari, Zion, Babylon, Ganja, and "ital" lifestyle, which serve as foundational concepts for understanding Rasta philosophy.
How does the author characterize the movement's stance on marijuana?
The author frames marijuana ("ganja" or "herb") as a vital sacrament, a "weed of wisdom" used to deepen consciousness and facilitate communal connection with the divine, rather than as a recreational drug.
What perspective does the book provide on Haile Selassie I?
The book explores the varying Rastafarian interpretations of Haile Selassie I, ranging from his role as an Ethiopian Emperor and historical figure to his position as the "returned Messiah" and a living manifestation of God.
- Quote paper
- Professor. Dr. Girma Yohannes Iyassu Menelik (Author), 2009, Rastafarians. A Movement Tied with a Social and Psychological Conflict, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/135970
