Friday, September 22, 2006
Rastafarian Movement
I find it important to include this information as part of my blog because it is one of the most crucial elements defining Jamaican culture, lifestyle, politics, history and religion. Although 80% of the population is Christian, the rastafarian movement which was born in Jamaica and popularized by Bob Marley is widely practiced throughout the island.
The movement was created as a response to the racist negation of black people. The rastafarian philosophy strongly affirms African culture, values, tradition and social history. Beginning as early as the 1920s, the movement began among the poor and oppressed who believed that their culture and identity was stolen from them when they were brought from Africa as slaves. The oppression, racism, poverty and social injustices that Jamaican people faced were expressed creativly through reggae music, giving the people a voice to be heard and recognized internationally. Rastas believe that the Bible mentions Ethiopia and its people as being strong and proud. They identify strongly with the colors of the Ethiopian flag; red symbolizing the blood of the martyrs, green the abundant vegatation of Africa and gold representing the wealth and prosperity Africa has to offer. Rastas look to the Bible for counsel and have faith in Christ but give great reverence to Ras Tafari Makonnen (from whom the name of the movement is derived) and who was later crowned Emporer Haile Selassie of Ethopia in 1930. They believe him to be from the unbroken line of descent of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, also a divine messiah.
The true enemy of the movement is modern society "Babylon"and the way in which western culture has stolen, abused and negated African culture. For most Rastas, one of their main beliefs is that they must find the truth from themselves and this will help them be loyal to their concept of "Zion" which symbolizes Jerusalem.
Although some oppression and negation has been lifted alot of the social conditions that prompted the creation of the movement remain unchanged, allowing the faith to remain strong among the people of Jamaica.
The movement was created as a response to the racist negation of black people. The rastafarian philosophy strongly affirms African culture, values, tradition and social history. Beginning as early as the 1920s, the movement began among the poor and oppressed who believed that their culture and identity was stolen from them when they were brought from Africa as slaves. The oppression, racism, poverty and social injustices that Jamaican people faced were expressed creativly through reggae music, giving the people a voice to be heard and recognized internationally. Rastas believe that the Bible mentions Ethiopia and its people as being strong and proud. They identify strongly with the colors of the Ethiopian flag; red symbolizing the blood of the martyrs, green the abundant vegatation of Africa and gold representing the wealth and prosperity Africa has to offer. Rastas look to the Bible for counsel and have faith in Christ but give great reverence to Ras Tafari Makonnen (from whom the name of the movement is derived) and who was later crowned Emporer Haile Selassie of Ethopia in 1930. They believe him to be from the unbroken line of descent of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, also a divine messiah.
The true enemy of the movement is modern society "Babylon"and the way in which western culture has stolen, abused and negated African culture. For most Rastas, one of their main beliefs is that they must find the truth from themselves and this will help them be loyal to their concept of "Zion" which symbolizes Jerusalem.
Although some oppression and negation has been lifted alot of the social conditions that prompted the creation of the movement remain unchanged, allowing the faith to remain strong among the people of Jamaica.
# posted by Craig Young @ 8:43 AM 
