Lately, there have emerged several kinds of religions all over the world. Although some are related in one way or another, there are remarkable differences between these religions. One such religion is the Rastafarianism. This kind of religion emerged in the early 1930s in Jamaica. This movement has developed greatly since its foundation and it is now regarded as a major political and cultural power in Jamaica. Notably, it is a monotheistic Christian movement in which most of its participants worship Haile Selassie who they belief to be the recreation of Jesus, while others take him to be their God’s chosen earthly king. Several themes are covered in this movement including the spiritual use of Marijuana, as well as the denunciation of the western culture. This community believes that Africa, which they refer as “Zion” is the original place where mankind was born; which explains why they embrace a number of Afrocentric political and social ambitions. Undeniably, the Rastafarian faith have been seen by many people in different perspectives; hence, the many misconceptions and stereotypes. Therefore, this essay will be addressing the popular images of Rastafarians from the different perspectives. Leonard, Barrett, E. The Rastafarians. 1997. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Unquestionably, this movement has induced different reactions from different witnesses ranging from “curiosity” to “hostility”. The movement has been given credit for their attempt to resist racism, oppression as well as the misuse of the disadvantaged and the poor. On the other, many people have discredited the Rastafarians of on the basis of their beliefs, more especially the belief of the use of Cannabis as a religious atonement and the belief that Haile Selassie is their God. According to many scholars, there has been a distorted image of the Rastafarian group as they are seen as “racists” who holds to Marxist way of life and whose criminal activities are associated with addiction of drugs. For instance, Rastafarians are said to be passionate in their assaults on imperialism, the white man, government as well as Christianity.
According to many historians, Rastafarians are considered as being a movement that responds to the historic injustices that many people faced in the early times. Dating back to the slave trade era, many people more especially were captured from Africa and transported to western countries as slaves. With the illegalization of slave trade, many of those who were taken as slaves were released and settled in some of the Islands in the west. Jamaica forms part of the Islands in which slaves were resettled. Many of the people in Jamaica maintained the culture and identity of Africans just like many Negros in the other parts of the world. Therefore, Rastafarianism arose to fight back the injustice that the black people received during the slave trade era. This is one of the reasons why reggae music emerged as one of the ways to show the dissatisfaction of the black people with the treatment that they get from the white people. In fact, many of the Rastafarians claim that they should be repatriated to Africa their homeland. Therefore, the movement promotes advocates for a faith of rejecting the world of a “white man” if they are to live a simple, peaceful and righteous life.
According to some theologians, the origin of the movement is the second coming of Jesus. As per the founders of this movement, it is the Christianity aspect of the movement is based on the life of Haile Selassie their leader. The name “Haile Selassie” refers to “Might of the Trinity”. It is believed that in an attempt to unite all the Christians in Ethiopia, Haile Selassie initiated the process of translating the bible into the common Ethiopian languages. Actually, he confessed that he believes in Jesus Christ because he believes that humans are not perfect but whenever one makes a mistake he can seek for forgiveness from the Almighty. According to Haile, those who paid attention to his teachings were Christians. Hence, by following Haile Selassie’s teachings one could be living according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Based on this claim, many people have come to believe that Rastafarians are followers of Jesus Christ. It should be noted that as time went by, Selassie came to be given the name “H.I.M” as a nickname. “H.I.M” refers to His Imperial Majesty which, based on his deeds made him to be recognized as the returning. Therefore, these theologians to conclude that Rastafarians are truly Christians as they believe in the bible just like Christians do.
Some individuals think that Rastafarianism is a cult. The term cult can be defined in this case as a specific system of spiritual adoration with reference to its ceremonies and rites. Other people define a cult as a false or extremist religion who lives an exceptional life being led by a charismatic or rather authoritarian leader. To justify the claim that this is a cult, it is indicated that Rastafarianism is a politico-religious groups which denounce their Jamaican citizenship and regards themselves as Ethiopians. They worship an Ethiopian Emperor and they hope that at one point they will come to return to Africa. They base their faith on the prophecy of the Old Testament explaining the reason why the claim to be the true Israelites. Due to the fact that this group adores Haile Selassie as their god many people assert that Selassie was the founder of this cult. Although he is no longer there bodily, most people more especially in Jamaica still believe in him and the group keeps on growing. According to statistics, they group was approximated to be about 76,000 in the year 1977 in Jamaica. In a research that was carried out in 1988, it was found that the group comprised of approximately 310,000 members. This number is said to have increased drastically in the recent times.
Finally, Rastafarianism is movement of a messianic nature common in Jamaica. The members of this group believe in Haile Selassie whom they consider to be redeemer of the black generations who had been oppressed by the white people. They also believe that they will be repatriated to Africa specifically in Ethiopia which they believe to be the Promised Land. Although there has been negative publicity of this group, its membership keeps on increasing with time. One of the reasons for the increase is attributed to the emergence of reggae music which has developed to become the best choice for many people more especially among the young generation. Their lifestyle has led to many misconceptions and stereotypes. For instance, many people see this movement as being a cult. To others, it indicates the second coming of Jesus, while others see it as a group that is responding to the historical injustice that was experienced by the black people more especially during the slave trade era.
Bibliography
Barrett, Leonard, E. The Rastafarians. 1997. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Mais, Roger. Brother Man. 2007. Washington, DC: Macmillan Caribbean Leonard, Barrett, E. The Rastafarians. 1997. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Roger, Mais. Brother Man. 2007. Washington, DC: Macmillan Caribbean.
