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.
Political Conditions
The economic problems Jamaica faces combined with the levels of poverty only give rise to extreme social issues. The country has a whole is plagued with high unemployment rates, vast underemployment, high interest rates, growing international debt along with illegal but substancial trafficking of narcotics, namely cocaine and marijuana.
There are two significant political parties in Jamaica, The Jamaica Labour Party(JLP) and The Peoples National Party(PNP). A third party was created in 1995, The National Democratic Movement (NDM) but it has had little to no sucess. The two significant parties have strong ties to two of Jamaica's trade unions; the JLP with the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the PNP with the National Workers Union (NWU). The party most popular and in power for the last several years is the PNP which is now headed by the Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller, the first woman Prime Minister.
It is widely understood but never spoken about that both political parties have close ties with the "dons" who control the turbulent ghetto rural areas of downtown Kingstown. These relationships appear to be mutually beneficial with the "dons" receiving protection from both state and international authorities and the political parties gaining political support from the rural areas along with guranteed voter turnout.
These relationships are significant as key underlying factors contributing to the segregation, violence, poverty and unrest in the city.
There are two significant political parties in Jamaica, The Jamaica Labour Party(JLP) and The Peoples National Party(PNP). A third party was created in 1995, The National Democratic Movement (NDM) but it has had little to no sucess. The two significant parties have strong ties to two of Jamaica's trade unions; the JLP with the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the PNP with the National Workers Union (NWU). The party most popular and in power for the last several years is the PNP which is now headed by the Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller, the first woman Prime Minister.
It is widely understood but never spoken about that both political parties have close ties with the "dons" who control the turbulent ghetto rural areas of downtown Kingstown. These relationships appear to be mutually beneficial with the "dons" receiving protection from both state and international authorities and the political parties gaining political support from the rural areas along with guranteed voter turnout.
These relationships are significant as key underlying factors contributing to the segregation, violence, poverty and unrest in the city.
Overview of Kingston, Jamaica
"Out of Many, One People" (Jamica's National Motto)
Kingston the capital of Jamaica is the second largest english speaking city south of Miami and was founded at the end of the 17th century as a refuge for survivors when a devastating earthquake hit the former capital of Port Royal. Kingston is named in honor of the British King, William of Orange. Before the earthquake Kingston housed pig farmers and fishing shacks but its harbour allowed the city to flourish as an integral seaport also allowing freed slaves and immigrant workers to find a safe haven. The rich gravitated towards uptown Kingston, nestling in the mountains overlooking the entire city and harbour while the poor huddled in shanty towns on the edges of downtown. The Metropolis endured many natural disasters, a hurricane in 1784, an enormous fire in 1843, a cholera epidemic in 1850 and an earthquake in1907. These events devastated the downtown region further resulting in higher levels of poverty and this devastation helped to create the Rastafarian movement during the 1920s and 30s.
Today Kingston is known throughout the world as a dangerous city, however the danger is unseen to most tourists and lurks in the dark corners at the edges of the city. Kingston is divided into two sections, Downtown and New Kingston. The Downtown sector streches north from the waterfront and houses old buildings; it is home to Gordon house where parliament resides meeting on tuesdays (House of Representatives) and fridays (Senate). The safest and most popular attraction is Ocean Boulevard, the centre piece and focal point of the strip is the emotionally charged "Negro Aroused". It is a statue depicting a crouched man breaking free from bondage and was created by Edna Manley, with of former Prime Minister Norman Manley. When walking through downtown, all one sees is street vendors, warehouses, industrial ships and ofcourse lots of street children and poverty. This is where for me the beauty of my surrounding stopped as i looked around and felt an emotional outrage for everything the people have indured and are still induring.Uptown Kingston or New Kingston is the urban centerpiece of the city, it is the "new" downtown and it dominated by businesses, offices, banks, restaurants and clubs. The most popular attractions are Devon House, built by the first Jamaican millionaire and the Bob Marley Museum, which was once his house and recording studio. Being in New Kingston feels like being in any other urban city, I feel sheltered from the violence and danger that i know is only kilometres away.
Brief History of Jamaica
Columbus sighted Jamaica on his second voyage in 1494 and described it as "The fairest land ever eyes have beheld; mountains and the land seem to touch the sky..all full of valleys and fields and plains." The Spanish didn't completly settle in Jamaica they used it as a post for provisioning their ships while they headed to Central America in search of gold. However, they brought sugar cane to the land and later slaves from Africa to cultivate the cane.
The English Captured Jamaica in 1655 and turned the island into a vast sugar plantation bringing more slaves from Africa and producing lots of wealth for themselves. 1834 brought the end of slavery and emancipation when the people rose to fight the injustices they had and were facing. The Morant Bay rebellion of 1865 was the most significant uprising of the people and was led by Paul Bogle and wealthy businessman George William Gordan. Both were executed and are now considered two of the greatest men among Jamaica's National Heros. In the 1930s political life began to stir again when two cousins of opposing ideas created political parties, The Jamaican Labor Party and The Peoples National Party.
On August 6, 1962 in the pressence of Princess Margaret of England, the British flag was lowered and the new black, green and gold Jamaican flag was raised and Jamaica became an independent nation.
The English Captured Jamaica in 1655 and turned the island into a vast sugar plantation bringing more slaves from Africa and producing lots of wealth for themselves. 1834 brought the end of slavery and emancipation when the people rose to fight the injustices they had and were facing. The Morant Bay rebellion of 1865 was the most significant uprising of the people and was led by Paul Bogle and wealthy businessman George William Gordan. Both were executed and are now considered two of the greatest men among Jamaica's National Heros. In the 1930s political life began to stir again when two cousins of opposing ideas created political parties, The Jamaican Labor Party and The Peoples National Party.
On August 6, 1962 in the pressence of Princess Margaret of England, the British flag was lowered and the new black, green and gold Jamaican flag was raised and Jamaica became an independent nation.
