The Rastafarians [Paperback]

Leonard E. Barrett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1977

The classic work on the history and beliefs of the Rastafarians, whose roots of protest go back to the seventeenth-century maroon societies of escaped slaves in Jamaica. Based on an extensive study of the Rastafarians, their history, their ideology, and their influence in Jamaica, The Rastafarians is an important contribution to the sociology of religion and to our knowledge of the variety of religious expressions that have grown up during the West African Diaspora in the Western Hemisphere.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Removes the aura of bizarre mystery from the Jamaican messianic movement whose members smoke marijuana for ritual purposes and believe that Ethiopia is the Promised Land for all blacks. Setting the Rastafarians in the context of . . . colonial exploitation, Barrett shows how the cult has been nourished on grinding poverty, examines its belief system, dynamics, rituals, art and music, and its 'ambivalent routinization' within Jamaican society. . . . Students of religion and sociology, fans of reggae music, and the general reader will gain much from this unusual study. --Publishers Weekly

"The most thorough, careful consideration of the Rasta phenomenon available to the general reader." --Boston Phoenix

"Barrett's account is authoritative and original; it is a work for the serious student of culture, religious sects and Caribbean studies. . . . An important contribution." --Folklore Review

"Leonard Barrett's The Rastafarians stands as the most solid, complete treatment available in this country to date." --New Age --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Leonard E. Barrett, Sr., is emeritus professor of religion at Temple University. His previous works include Soul-Force: African Heritage in Afro-American Religion, which was nominated for a National Book Award, and The Sun and the Drum, an examination of the African roots of Jamaica's folk culture. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 257 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (September 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807011150
• ISBN-13: 978-0807011157
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,660,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Rastafari

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jah Rastafari!, February 29, 2004

By 

Jason Nelson "musshin" (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rastafarians: Twentieth Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

Being somewhat familiar with the Rastafari movement already and being somewhat fascinated by the culture I decided to read this book. The book starts out by tracing the history of slavery in Jamaica and outlining the conditions that precipitated a movement such as Rastafarianism which seeks a more equitable and just society. A decent amount is dedicated to Ethiopia and the idea of Ethiopianism where Rastafarians basically view this country in the same way as Zion is viewed by the Jews. Later elaboration explains mythical elements of the religion as well as the symbols, beliefs and rituals of the group such as smoking herb for a deeper understanding of a cosmic consciousness. I especially enjoyed the parts in the book where the author expounded upon the artistic improvements Rastas have made not only in Jamaica but the world over with things such as reggae music. Also kudos to him for talking about Bob Marley because he is a good reason the religion has gained popularity the world over. I won't give this book a 5 of 5 though because I did find the last chapter to be somewhat rambling and some of the ideas in the book are repeated a little bit too much for my taste. I think some people who aren't as interested in the movement as I am would have a little trouble keeping interested the whole way through. All-in-all though I think this is a pretty good read and does a good job explaining the basics of the Rastafarian beliefs and also gives detail about the socio-economic factors that contributed to this voice against colonialism and oppression.

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars At least there's some worthwhile content, February 22, 2001

By 

B. Jackson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rastafarians: Twentieth Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

As I have an interest in studying various sects, and had not yet spent much time learning about Rastafarianism, I bought this book for an introduction to that faith. I will say that there is much valuable content in it regarding the history of Jamaica and Jamaican slavery and the beliefs and rituals of various Rastafarian groups, and even an interesting though slim aside on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. On the other hand, the writing is amateurish and repetitive. Perhaps each chapter began life initially as an individual paper and Barrett later compiled separate papers into his book, without removing repetitive, overlapping information. However, this does not explain the overall fair, and sometimes poor, quality of the writing in general. Additionally, while often bending over backward to apologize for questionable aspects of Rastafarian history, he seems to treat other religious traditions on the island with an attitude of judgmental disdain. Though I learned a good deal of history, I did not feel that I was reading a scholarly work.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the most overlooked book i've read in rastafari, September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rastafarians: Twentieth Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

thorough, this gives the reader a great look at Rasta through a Jamaican point of view. the boba man is covered in his earlier days. the binghi is given proper place in rasta. flaws include the lack of identification given to Gad as his picture is there. much attention was given to Sam Brown, is that a good thing? not sure, but this book is to one the pre-cursor as far as an outsider learning about Rasta.