Rastafarianism in Jamaica
Rastafarianism is a radical ideology which has its roots here in Jamaica. The Rastafarian movement can be linked back to as far as the 18th century with Ethiopianism and other movements that focused on black empowerment and the preservation of Ethiopia. The Bible was used as their backing in this movement, as Psalm 68:31 outlined that “Princes shall come out of Egypt and Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God”.
This philosophy was strengthened when Marcus Garvey, leader of the Pan Africanist movement told followers to “Look to Africa where a black King shall be crowned, he shall be the Redeemer”.
Garvey was seen as a prophet and therefore on November 2, 1930 when Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia many believed that the Bible and words of Garvey had been fulfilled. Selassie was therefore referred to as King of Kings, Lord of Lords and the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Jamaican preachers started to see Selassie as the living embodiment of God.
Rastafarianism then started to emerge with Selassie being the common belief which bound them together. They believed in black community and the repatriation of the people from the oppressive land of ‘Babylon’ to the Motherland of Africa.
The movement relied heavily on the Old Testament and followed a strict diet and the belief that smoking marijuana was powerful. Many persons are associated with the movement but Leonard Howell attracted large numbers of followers, and was even arrested several times by the Government of Jamaica. He however went on to establish a Rasta community, known as ‘Pinnacle’ which was eventually destroyed by the police forces.
Rastafarianism spread globally and was heavily influenced by Bob Marley and Reggae Music. The movement is heavily based on unifying the black race, achieving liberation and the ultimate repatriation to Africa.
Rastafarians believe that they are being tested by Jah (God) through slavery and the existence of economic injustice and racial “downpression” (rather than oppression). They await their deliverance from captivity and their return to Zion, the symbolic name for Africa drawn from the biblical tradition.
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Sources:
https://www.history.com/topics/religion/history-of-rastafarianism
