Rastafarianism Essay - 2120 Words

Rastafarianism The Rastafarian religion has roots tracing to Africa, but it became well known in the ghettos of Jamaica. In these ghettos, a boy was born who would have an everlasting effect on the religion. This boy grew up to become a famous musician who then opened the world to the Rastafarian views and spread the Rastafarian message to thousands of people. Jamaica recognized his effect on the culture shortly before his death, which was mourned by millions. The man responsible for the worldwide recognition of the Rastafarian religion was Bob Marley. The Rastafarian religion has a vast history full of many beliefs, practices, and influential people. The crowning of Prince Ras Tafari Makonnen as the Emperor of Ethiopia in†¦show more content†¦By the mid 1950s the Rastafarians were perceived as nothing more then bearded drug addicts. In the 1960s, Garveys back to Africa plan seemed realistic, as a group of Rastafarian leaders were sent to Africa (Jackson Rastafarianism). Though no large-scale immigration to Africa by Jamaicans was achieved, the sending of some Rastafarian leaders to Africa resulted in the movements enhanced knowledge of African realities, and probably diffused the movements enthusiasm for immediate repatriation (Garcia Rastafarianism: An Overview). The single most important even in Rastafarian history was the visit of Haile Selassie I to Jamaica. He arrived in Jamaica on April 21, 1966. His visit resulted in two major developments. First, Haile Selassie I convinced the Rastafarian brothers that they should not immigrate to Africa until the Jamaican people were liberated. This also marked April 21 as the special holy day among Rastafarians (Garcia Rastafarianism: An Overview). In the 1960s the Black Power Movement was started, and this began to develop the Rastafarian religion. The 1970s gave birth to a new view of Rastafarians. They became a positive forced and were praised for contributing to the culture of Jamaica. On August 27, 1975, Haile Selassie I died, and a tremendous crisis in faith ensued (Littman Rastafarianism). This was a contradiction to the religion, because HaileShow MoreRelatedRastafarianism Essay585 Words   |  3 PagesRastafarianism Rastafarianism began as a religion of the dispossessed. In 1930, a prophecy of deliverance was fulfilled for Jamaica’s slum-dwellers and rural poor. Ethiopia symbolized Africa and the homeland for the slave-descended Jamaicans. Ras Tafari Makennen, in 1930, became Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. Emperor Selassie claimed to be a direct descendent of King Solomon. Many Jamaicans were waiting for a black messiah. Selassie, who at his coronation was proclaimed NegusaRead MoreMisconceptions of Rastafarianism2637 Words   |  11 PagesSam Cook 12/1/2012 Rhetoric of Reggae Tuna (Professor Snider) Common Misconceptions of the Rastafarian People When an average person hears the word Rastafarianism, several things come to mind. 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