The most recognizable face of the Rastafari movement is the late musician Bob Marley, immortalized on T-shirts and posters wearing a crocheted red, gold and green cap over natty dreadlocks in a cloud of marijuana smoke. Yet the movement, which has more than one million adherents, is "not about singing reggae," says Jake Homiak, a cultural anthropologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. "It taps into an enormously deep root—a sense of longing for a place in the world by peoples of African descent."
Homiak, who has immersed himself in the culture for 30 years, is the curator of the recently opened exhibit "Discovering Rastafari!" Nearly 20 Rastafarians consulted on all details of the exhibition, the first of its kind in any major museum.
The exhibit recounts an intricate history and imparts nuance to a movement that celebrates African liberation, global peace and "one love." Its origins can be traced to a biblical passage: "Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God," reads Psalm 68:31. Enslaved Africans in the American colonies believed this foretold their emancipation. In the 20th century, Jamaican black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey frequently cited the passage, predicting that a savior would be crowned in Africa.
On November 2, 1930, that prophecy appeared to be fulfilled when Ras (an Ethiopian title of nobility) Tafari Makonnen—believed to be a descendant of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon—was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Black preachers in Jamaica saw the event as the second coming of Christ. Selassie was a charismatic figure who captivated audiences worldwide, as when he declared before the United Nations in 1963, "Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes...the dream of lasting peace...will remain but a fleeting illusion." He ruled Ethiopia until 1974, when he was deposed by Marxist revolutionaries. Selassie died a year later, although many Rastafarians remain firm in the belief that he is still alive.
"This is a faith of extraordinary commitment," says Homiak, who describes how early Rastafarians in Jamaica were beaten and publicly humiliated. "People have sacrificed and struggled to keep this faith alive." A glass case at the Smithsonian exhibit displays such manuscripts as the Holy Piby, a proto-Rastafarian text that was widely circulated across the African diaspora before being banned in Jamaica during the 1920s.
One of the exhibit's advisers, Ras Maurice Clarke—a Rastafarian originally from Kingston, Jamaica, who now lives in Washington, D.C.—says that he wanted to "dispel the ignorance and fictitious talk about all we do is smoke ganja." Because the advisers were wary of stereotypes, they debated whether to feature Marley in the exhibit. Ultimately, they included a small tribute to the king of reggae. "It made no sense to do an exhibit on Rastafari and exclude the person who was the most famous purveyor of the Rastafari philosophy," Homiak says.
Selassie's messages of liberation and unity are paramount in Marley's music, as well as in the lives of Rastafarians today. Empress (a title bestowed on a mother) Melanie Wright, who came from Hartford, Connecticut, with her family to be at the opening, says that she found her calling on the streets of New York after seeing countless posters of Selassie: "He fought for the freedom of Africa, so part of saying you're Rastafari means you're living to reclaim that history."
No wonder that Bob Marley, as a major visionary artist, would share the fervor of millions of Jamaican and Ethiopian Christians in recognizing Haile Selassie as the descendant of African miracle makers. Rasta faith is linked to the powerful and still little known traditions that Judaism was the prime religion of Ethiopia since 1000 B.C., some say even a millennium earlier, and that much of the land was converted to Christianity immediately after the Resurrection by virtue of a visit from St. Matthew. My novel The Rescuers explores the legend that the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia after the love affair of the African Sheba and King Solomon. To read more, see LeonLinfield.com. Christianity, Judaism and Islam coexisted harmoniously in this mystic Bible land, variously called Abyssinia and Ethiopia, also the origin of the great kingdoms of Axum and Kush. In Muslim lore, this land is called Habash and was blessed by the Prophet Muhammad. Ethiopian culture, with its links to Jamaica, richly deserves our repect and understanding.
Posted by Leon Linfield on January 7,2008 | 10:06AM
So, why is it that SOME (most) Rastifari's believe that the white man is literally a disease that must be wiped out? Not so much one love for the white apologists now is it? If you are going to present an exhibit that is supposed to represent the true nature of a phenomena then why not cover all of it? More propaganda than unbiased scholarly work it seems.
Posted by don noyes on January 8,2008 | 09:31PM
As soon as someone that's non-white does something to try to restore their culturally identity (which was most likely taken away by white people), a white person has a problem with it and claims that the group in particular is biased towards all white people. Grow up. How many bad things that are widely apart of white peoples' culture(s)or religions are not mentioned?
Posted by erica on January 10,2008 | 07:09AM
It's good to let people know about the rastafari, because in that way they'll understand that rastafari isn't only smoke ganja... and listen reggae. There's so much ignorant people, i think that rastafari it's something that you got to respect
Posted by Stephanny on January 10,2008 | 05:34PM
Many whites, because of their guilt and fear associated with their racist dogma and imperialistic nature AND history; often become rattled when the peoples they oppressed make any attempt to self-determine their culture and rebuild what was stolen by European capitalism. And if you look all around the planet, this "dogma" has left its stain on battered ecosystems, extinct species and tribes, polluted elements, distorted climate, and a constant threat of destruction, invasion, annexation by the champions of said doctrine. So in a fact, since the earth has been ill for some time, it is natural and logical to assume that the so-called white man or the ADAM race , IS a disease--IS a terminal cancer corroding the essence of nature, man, and God's creation.
Posted by Yoel on January 10,2008 | 05:53PM
As an ex-mormon (moron) who has turned to the Rastafarian wisdom and beliefs, I can testify to ALL that no matter what color, creed and/or culture you are, the gift of H.I.M King Selassie I is for all man to share. And if one were to LISTEN to the message of Bob Marley's music, there is absolutely nothing whatsoever in his melodies that separates ANYONE on the basis of "white" vs "black" vs "green" vs "yellow", ect... And to clarify the ignorance posted above concerning the hate that rastas carry toward white people: all rastas including myself are concerned with world unity and one love. White people, as history has shown, have NOT cared for the benefit of anyone else BUT white people and esentially created this bad taste in the world's mouth, much like a disease. But so have people of ALL colors. In the days of slavery, it was BLACK people who sold there own in the puruit of profit. People of all color have disgraced themselves and others at one time or another. Bottom line, if we can't learned to forgive, forget, love ourselves and love one another, then we will continue down this path of war and hate that we are currently in and ulitmately be the cause of our own destruction!! One love, one people, one world....jah Rastafari!
Posted by Eric on January 11,2008 | 09:13AM
I think this will be a great exhibit for all to see, enjoy and learn. Rastafarianism needs and should be understood. One Love is One Love but the truth needs to be taught also. Rastas were persecuted for accepting and loving themselves as Africans. I have never heard that Rastafarians beleive that the white man is a disease, as a matter of fact the people I know say that man is created equal, the law of all laws. Now I know of some organizations that beleive this about the white man, but thats another discussion. :)
Posted by Waddah on January 14,2008 | 11:05AM
Someone want to connect Yoel with reality? Adam race is human, not white. ALL humans descend from Adam. ALL are fallen into sin nature. Whites don't have a monopoly on what is wrong with human beings. Dictionary definition of Yoel's message? Racist.
Posted by Lon on January 15,2008 | 03:53PM
Always good to see Rastafari taken seriously. It would be nice to see the show come to the UK. But let's get this straight, Rasta is in no way against white people, blue people, green people. Oppressors of any colour get no love. It's not so loving toward gays & lesbians, but in that respect is no different from any other of the major monotheisms, and that's when taking Rasta [and the faiths of it's Christian, Muslim, & Jewish brothers and sisters]- seriously leads us to @ least one of its limits, and things become really interesting.
Posted by edward george on January 16,2008 | 04:32AM
First, I will not claim to be a great historian of Ras Tafari-anism, but based on my experiences with Ras over the years, it is such a beautiful thing when you live a life of "One Love". As with any other group/religion/culture, everyone doesn't think and beleive exactly the same, so there are various sects which might hold certain truths that may be offensive to some people. That is true with Christianity and Islam as well. To those of you who do not understand the "Natural Mystic" and the concept of "One Love" come see the exhibit, you will be amazed at the rich history, culture and love that Rasta livity brings. A Japanese man and his family left Japan years ago to see Robert Nesta Marley perform in Jamaica. They did not speak english, but the vibe was so nice that they made JA thier home.
Posted by Ryan on January 18,2008 | 08:48AM
I am so glad to see part of Jamaican heritage nobly exhibited. Today, Jamaicans of all colours remain highly spiritual, intuitive peoples whose own lives celebrate earth and nature as their forefathers did..
Posted by Adrienne Joan Duperly on January 18,2008 | 02:28PM
It is important that we not loose sight of what a great achievement this representation of Rastafarianism signifies. This signifies change, progress, in essence, this is an open door, thru which we should proceed gracefully. We should be careful not to debate, but educate & and lure our children into becoming leaders who make a difference by empowering themselves & fighting for whats right. Let’s lift our hands and give thanks and praises to God for Bob Marley, who empowered & inspired the world with his music & put Rastafarianism on the front page. Marley’s Music is still larger than life, and his songs & words are still relevant to our time, and will be for generations to come. This is a small victory for Rastafarians; it’s the year 2008, and the, “Smithsonian” is doing an article on Rastafarianism. This is a great accomplishment for the Rastafarian Community. Every culture deserves to be revered, recognized and accepted. Congratulations to the Rastafarian Community! Bob…this page, the exhibition - is for you! May you Rest in Peace. But the hotter the battle A the sweeter jah victory ~Bob Marley
Posted by Marcia Cleary on January 20,2008 | 06:11PM
In the history of humankind, much of the oppression throughout the world was due to British Imperialism; they conquered India, Jamaica and China, to name a few. To respond to the comment with disdain regarding Rastafarians considering white people a disease, and they should be wiped out, how else would captive people be expected to respond? In the early 1969, shortly before Jamaica gained their independence, I remember an incident clearly that rang sorely through my soul. I had befriended many Jamaicans and asked them to join me at Doctor's Cave Beach for the day, but they couldn't enter and had to view me through the fence. Enslavement and captivity of the human spirit is still fresh in this Irish woman's memory. Kudos to this exhibit and presentation of the richness of the Rastafarian's spirit and culture. One Love, One Heart, Kathryn Forestal Chicago (a.k.a. in Jamaica as "Pretty Eye.)
Posted by Kathryn Forestal on January 27,2008 | 05:02PM
No doubt that Rastafarians have added much to the culture. The exhibit I am sure was a great experience for people to enjoy. In my experience with Rasta's I have found them to be genuine and thoughtful. Those I have known were very serious about their religion but also very open to have discussions. In my study of Haile Salassie, the historical record indicate some brutality and murder of many in opposition. If that is true, it would have been an honest exhibit to include that information. I am not sure of the validity of the record I read and would be interested to know the truth of the matter.
Posted by Tim on January 28,2008 | 03:03PM
of course it is evident that a one in citing the history of Rastafari would begin in modern times and especially in Jamaica and with the coronation of his Majesty Tafari Makonnen who came to represent the POWER OF THE TRINITY [ THE CREATOR, THE PROCESS OF CREATION AND THE CREATION]as haile selassie. His majesty stated in the autobiography that the coronation and the spirituality within which it is emmersed goes back three thousand years from 1931. We must move our selves from the extant past and look at life as being as old as the creator. Etymologically Ras Ta Fari is the DEFENDER OF THE CREATORS PLACE, WITH RAS POSSESSORY FOR OF RA TA THE PLACE AND FARI THE DEFENDER, THE RETAINING WALL, WHICH MORPHED INTO PHAROAH. tHE HISTORY of Rastafari as it is written in the essay is a history of the ressurection of Rasta. Rasta is the place through which all that goes out of and comes into existene passes. No one comes into existence without going through Rasta. A word known by the ancients. ....and the creator had no place upon which to stand and the creator created such place out of the goodness of the creator's heart.....RASTA
Posted by dave britton on February 1,2008 | 06:14PM
In the words of Issac Newton Hook There is no begining of time, space, or man therefore there is no end
Posted by Alan Wagoner on March 30,2008 | 09:43AM
After reading the above comments it seems some non-white people accuse whites for the effects of a SYSTEM ruled by an ELITE of white people. Most white people (the working class) do not play any part in enforcing such a system on other nations & are tolerant towards other cultures (as long as they are reciporical in their tolerance). Do not make the foolish error of mistaking the effects of a FEW white poeple as a WHOLE colour of people. Its the system that need needs to change- by emancipatory knowledge, as Marley himself advocated. Are we are all one nation under the sun? Peace, Rob.
Posted by Rob Blythin on April 1,2008 | 05:06AM
i have just recently read up on the rasta history and i have become very interested and motivated by it. The message of unity and peace really speaks to me and i hope the rasta movement increases and is made even more well known. I love what the rastafarians stand for but I happen to be white and am wondering if it would be ok if I made my voice heard in my support for the rasta's and wear the beautiful and very meaningful colors of green, yellow, and red.
Posted by Kollin on May 4,2008 | 02:40PM