Jamaican Rastafarianism
The history of the
movement’s beginning is
uncertain but the organization
of Rastafarianism has taken a
strong grip during the 1930 when
Marcus Garvey made a prophecy.
Garvey believed that all
Africans should be given the
chance to return to Africa if
they so desire.
When Garvey traveled to Jamaica
to seek supporters for his
movement very little was found.
However the turning point was
where Rastafarians saw a
fulfillment in Garvey’s prophecy
where he said “Look to Africa
where a black king shall be
crowned, he shall be your
redeemer.”, in his farewell
speech. This fulfillment
occurred in Ethiopia in 1930
upon the crowning of the Emperor
Haile Selassie 1.
It is believed by Rastafarians
that he is the Black Messiah.
The first rasta is said to be
Leonard Powell and is
responsible for creating the
first branch Rastafari making is
a religion. In the initial
stages Rastafarianism have gone
through a lot of prosecution and
was looked down on.
But overtime it was accepted and
there is even some persons who
grow their hair live
Rastafarians and have the
‘dreadlocks’ also. Going back to
the history of Rastafarianism,
in 1966, Haile Selassie 1 came
to Jamaica and was welcomed.
This visit further improved the
Rastafarian movement. However
the biggest push for the
Rastafarian movement is Bob
Marley and the reggae music. Due
to Bob’s influence
Rastafarianism has reached the
international level.
Rastafarians have a strong
belief in their religion and is
on the modern front now due to
the legend that was left behind
by the previous generation of
the faith. The colors of the
Rastafarian religion bring a
powerful voice to their belief
in one’s self and their
universal love for everyone
around them.
I will close however by shedding
some light on the ceremonies
that Rastafarians participate
in. There are two main types of
ceremony in this religion and
they are Groundation and
Reasoning. Groundation is simply
a holy day and is otherwise
known as Binghi. They are marked
by a lot of dancing, feasting,
singing and smoking ganja. This
ceremony normally last for a
couple days. Reasoning which is
the other ceremony is a much
simpler event. This is where the
Rastas meet and smoke ganja,
otherwise known as cannabis. The
person that is given the honor
to light the cannabis is the one
responsible for saying a
short prayer first and foremost.
Rastafarianism in Jamaica today
is respected and accepted by the
people unlike in the 1930s when
it was first established.
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