Customer Reviews

Rastafari: A Way of Life

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Synopsis (From the back cover)

During the 1920s, Marcus Garvey's "back to Africa" philosophy affected much of the thinking of the African diaspora of the Western Hemisphere. Nowhere was he more influential than in Jamaica, his island homeland, for here was a greatly exploited people, most of whom were directly descended from slaves. In one of his speeches, Garvey, already revered as a prophet in Jamaica, said: "Look to Africa, when a Black King shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is near."

1930 witnessed the splendorous coronation of Ras Tafari, an Ethiopian baron, as the Emperor Haile Selassie, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Selassie was a direct descendant of David in a line of Ethiopian kings stretching in unbroken succession from the time of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. This event sent many religious Jamaicans to their Bibles, where they found support for this in Revelations, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and other books. Before long, religious leaders on the island were saying that Garvey's prophecy had been fulfilled and preached to the people to consider Haile Selassie the Living God and call themselves "Ras Tafaris" in his honor.

Theses are the rough beginnings of the Rastafarians. In the years since then, they have become a very important subculture in Jamaica. Recognized by their long, entwined "dreadlocks" and beards; their religious use of ganga (marijuana), which they feel has healing spiritual powers; their "mutant" English and their profound influence over Jamaica's internationally admired reggae music; yet little is known of their history, lifestyle and beliefs.

This book takes the reader, in both fascinating text and stunning photography, deep into Jamaica, the birthplace of Rasatafarianism, on a trip through the intricate webbing of these African roots and their outposts in the Western Hemisphere.

Hey, if your looking for a good discriptive book on the Rastafarian religon this is for you! The only thing I dint like about the book was that it was kind of one sideded to the religon. Now I know that religon is a touchy subject for most people but, the other books on rastafari have been more welcoming of all types of people. However I would recomend this book to anyone exploring their inner self!

I am disappointed in this book it was too simplistic I guess it is good for beginners. The book is too big. The photos are all black and white not color and somewhat dated if you ask me.I own the three Itatations books and they are beautiful. This book was not worth the price I paid for it. Very colorful cover is misleading. Oh well....

I have the 1979 first edition. The black and white photos are really nice.