Rastafari

The video definitely provides a useful in depth look into the daily lifestyle, rituals and the living situation of a Rastafarian group in Jamaica. I found their prayer rituals quite interesting, as I was not aware that they had set times to wake up, pray and mediate. Also, observing their lifestyle, it struck me as quite impressive that their devotion to their faith has led them to such a basic yet extremely fulfilling lifestyle.

In class we have examined the different symbols and their importance and meaning to Rastafarian society. At the root of these, one can come to see that importance, and the purpose of their use.  The text states, “Cashmore and Paget Henry have observed that marginalized peoples, especially minority groups who lack access to political and economic power often turn to “symbolic processes and “symbolic strategies in attempt to articulate their grievances and to effect social change”.

Applying this to the Rastafari, this would effectively explain why the symbols of the Rasta colors, along with the Dreadlocks and turbans would be used to prove this point. The rasta colors, are that of Ethiopia, the place that rasta will eventually return to. These colors are of huge value as they are related to the birth(and hopefully final destination) of the Rastafari. Wrapped up with the blunt reality of Babylon the dreadlocks which “express the Rastafarian belief in and commitment to naturalness” prove their devotion to their faith, as well as a commitment and devotion to naturalness and being connected to the earth.

Rasta colors with turbans serve as a type of crown, keeping together the dreadlocks in what my opinion is a compound symbol. The  colors and dreadlocks along with the turban serve as,” Rejection of the Babylonian character of Jamaican society and a commitment to the struggle for selfhood and dignity through the development of African Centered Cultural Identity”. To conclude the way that the symbols are portrayed in the book, as well as in the movie are very similar, with the main difference being with the video you can visually apply what is said in the text. The rasta colors along with the dreadlocks and turbans show how the rasta use symbolic processes to “articulate” their grievances and beliefs as well as project their commitment and devotion to their faith.