Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader [Paperback]

Nathaniel Samuel Murrell (Author), William D. Spencer (Author), Adrian Anthony McFarlane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 23, 1998

This anthology explores Rastafari religion, culture, and politics in Jamaica and other parts of the African diaspora. An Afro-Caribbean religious and cultural movement that sprang from the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1930s, today Rastafari has close to one million adherents. The basic message of Rastafari the dismantling of all oppressive institutions and the liberation of humankind even has strong appeal to non-believers who are captivated by reggae music, the lyrics, and the 'immortal spirit' of its enormously popular practitioner, Bob Marley. Probing into Rastafari's still evolving belief system, political goals, and cultural expression, the contributors to this volume emphasize the importance of Africana history and the Caribbean context. Author note: Nathaniel Samuel Murrell is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and Visiting Professor at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology in Kingston, Jamaica. William David Spencer serves as Pastor of Encouragement at Pilgrim Church in Beverly, MA, and was an Adjunct Professor of Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Center for Urban Ministerial Education in Boston. He has authored, co-authored, or edited "The Prayer of Life of Jesus", "Mysterium and Mystery: The Clerical Crime Novel", "God through the Looking Glass", "Joy through the Night", "2 Corinthians: Bible Study Commentary", and "The Global God". Adrian Anthony McFarlane is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY. He is author of "A Grammar of Fear and Evil: A Husserlian-Wittgensteinian Hermeneutic".

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Rastafarian movement had largely been a Jamaican phenomenon from its inception in the 1930s until the 1960s, when immigrants from the Caribbean migrated internationally. This collection of essays attempts to define in populist manner Rastafari; its beginnings, successes, and failures; its belief system; and its religious, economic, cultural, psychological, and social connotations. With no formal structure, Rastafari is an evolving belief system based on the principles of Leonard Howell's The Promised Key. Its message of Afrocentricity is important, but the resistance and liberation psychology, along with reggae music, all give meaning to people's lives. The "Downpression" of Jamaican society reflects a "Babylonian" experience of the black's soulful desolation. From the life-affirming practices of Rastafari, selfhood and dignity is reclaimed. Bible study, fasting, and living with the earth were early components; later the African tradition of ganja smoking was used in rituals to commune on a higher plane. Recommended.?Leo Vincent Kriz, West Des Moines P.L., Ia.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Long before the term 'Afrocentricity' came into popular use in the United States, Jamaican Rastafarians had embraced the concept as the most important recipe for naming their reality and reclaiming their black heritage in the African diaspora." --Nathaniel Samuel Murrell, from the Introduction

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Product Details

• Paperback: 467 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press; 1st edition (March 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566395844
• ISBN-13: 978-1566395847
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Rastafari
  • #58 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Tribal & Ethnic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview of Rastafari theology and ideology., October 13, 1998

By 

Chris Hales([e-mail]) (canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader (Hardcover)

Chanting Down Babylon is a welcomed addition to the growing literature on Rastafari. This reader sucessfully brings together most of the scholars studying Rastafari, as well as Rastafarians themselves, providing an important insight into Rastafari. The inclusion of articles addressing biblical hermeneutics as well as Rastafari theology begins to fill an important gap in Rastafari scholarship. A real treasure for those interested in learning about Rastafari for the first time, and for those who wish to expand their knowledge of this important religious movement.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic, factual account on rastafari., August 21, 2006

By 

W. R. Douiglas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader (Paperback)

I found this work to be one of the most complete on the study of the the Rastafarian movement.The information is well presented and is cohesive and highly informaive. This work is ideal for the new convert or anyone who wants a thorough examination of the faith. I highly recommend it.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best complete writing on Rastafari, August 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Chanting Down Babylon: The Rastafari Reader (Paperback)

This is the best book I've read on the subject. It is complete and gives the views of various scholars both Rasta and non-Rasta. I keep it as a resource and have read it 3 times.