Rastafari: Roots and Ideology

by Barry Chevannes

The first comprehensive work on the origins of the Jamaica-based Rastafaris, including interviews with some of the earliest members of the movement. Rastafari is a valuable work with a rich historical and ethnographic approach that seeks to correct several misconceptions in existing literature—the true origin of dreadlocks for instance. It will interest religion scholars, historians, scholars of Black studies, and a general audience interested in the movement and how Rastafarians settled in other countries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Cultural, Anthropology, History, Music

312 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Rhonnel K. Forde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great unbiased insight in the world of Rastafari.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while traveling in Jamaica which I think may have helped my understand it, or at least helped immerse me in the Jamaican culture from which Rastafarianism emerged. It can seem a bit directionless as the interviews don't necessarily lead smoothly into a thread of a narrative, but I think this lack of narrative thread or easily drawn conclusions helped prevent the forming of stereotypes about Rastas and encouraged a more sophisticated and accurate picture of the Rastafarian movement. I appreciated Chevannes' dedication to painstaking in-the-field research rather than lecturing or claiming to have already have all the answers. It was a challenging but rewarding read that helped correct some of my misconceptions and blindspots with regards to the Rastafarian movement. I especially like the last chapter.

[Chelsea Lawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

As interested as I am in Rastafari religion and culture, this book was just not enjoyable. It came about from a doctoral dissertation and reads like one. First sentence - "This study first traces the cultural roots of the Rastafari movement in Jamaica where it originated and then provides an ethnographic description of the movement in the city of Kingston." I'm only giving it two stars instead of one because it basically does what it promises.

Worst of all, Chevannes devotes almost no time to Ras Tafari the man. And mentions Bob Marley only as an afterthought in the last chapter. Ras Tafari at least should be integral to the book. Instead he spends his time on Myal and Revivalism and the Bedwardites and the Bobo and the Youth Black Movement and others I didn't care about and does it in such a dry way that I had no hope of retaining anything.

I will share some cool things though - Rastafari culture involves a lot of word play and manipulation. Examples:

- "Oppression" -> "downpression" because you're pushed down
- "Holy" -> "hola" because "anything holey runs a leak" and hola suggests whole
- The word "man" as opposed to "men" is not singular vs plural.. "man" implies moral integrity and "men" is its opposite. So words like "judgment" become "judgmant," referring to Michael Manley as "Menlow" indicates disdain for his politics
- The personal pronoun "I" is considered the same as the roman numeral I following Selassie so the Rastafi substitute words and letters with it all the time as a way of calling upon Jah's holiness. For example, "I" can mean either "me" or "you." "We" or "you" plural is "I and I." You have to just know from context what is going on. Brethren (pronounced bredrin) is "idrin," "eternal" is "iternal," "hour" is "iowa," etc.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read 2 books on Rastafarians. This book is good, but dwells to much in to the political elements of it and less time on the actual rastafarians. If you are more into the political end of the movement... this is probably the better book. If your interest are more towards the actual rastas and their lifestyle and culture, you may want to try a different book. It's a good book, educational as far as Jamaican politics is concerned. Not exactly what I was looking for... but a well written and researched book.

[Elsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot.

[Kalle Wescott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read /Rastafari: Roots and Ideology/, by Barry Chevannes:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

Interesting book with valuable knowledge.

Interesting book with valuable knowledge.

Two tidbits:

Dreadlocks are not just in homage to Haile Selassie, former Emperor of Ethiopia, but also in homage to Jesus Christ, who not only was a black Jewish carpenter, but also had dreadlocks.

I didn't understand the Ethiopian connection before, but generations ago, many Ethiopians migrated to Jamaica, and the plurality of Jamaicans are of Ethiopian descent!

[Alexander Oleksyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stopped reading on page 211

[Douglas Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundation text. Essential readings.

[Bettiann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very, VERY thorough. Almost a textbook. It took me a month to read it! Not really what I was looking for, though it did answer some of my questions.

[Owen Scott Verde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of my "Books Read" list I found while moving/unpacking.

[Bradley Woods]

Read this a long time ago would love to read again. History of Rastafari.