The launch of the RASTAFARI Exhibit on May 2, 2015 was a resounding success. The Rastafari exhibit will remain open until May 2016.

National Museum West, located in the Montego Bay Cultural Centre has mounted an exhibition that explores the history of the Rastafari movement.

Rastafari is the first major exhibition undertaken by National Museum West. The exhibit initially ran at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC in the USA for several years before the Rastafari community negotiated for the display to be brought to Jamaica. First raised at National Museum Jamaica at the Institute of Jamaica on East Street in downtown Kingston, the exposition was expanded extensively.
Through artefacts, images, videos, and text, this exhibition explores the history and nature of Rastafari, including: the revelation of Rastafari, the philosophy and evolution of the Rastafari movement, the visit of Haile Selassie to Jamaica, and the impact of Rastafari on music. A historical review of tribulations faced by members of the community, in particular the events surrounding Coral Gardens in April, 1963, are explored.

Following a year-long run in Montego Bay, this exhibit will be turned over to the Rastafari community where it will be housed at a permanent learning centre to be established by the Rastafari community.

Clyde Harrison, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), sponsors of the presentation, has described the exhibition as “a journey with some distance still left to go”, but which stands as a testament to the spirit of the Jamaican people.”

** add to image “Tony Greene at opening” – Tony Greene, one of Jamaica’s gifted musicians had enjoyed a long career as a musician working with other great local talents including Peter Tosh. He is a proud alumni of Alpha Boys School