The First Rasta: Leonard Howell and the Rise of Rastafarianism

by Helene Lee, Stephen Davis (Introduction)

Going far beyond the standard imagery of Rasta—ganja, reggae, and dreadlocks—this cultural history offers an uncensored vision of a movement with complex roots and the exceptional journey of a man who taught an enslaved people how to be proud and impose their culture on the world. In the 1920s Leonard Percival Howell and the First Rastas had a revelation concerning the divinity of Haile Selassie, king of Ethiopia, that established the vision for the most popular mystical movement of the 20th century, Rastafarianism. Although jailed, ridiculed, and treated as insane, Howell, also known as the Gong, established a Rasta community of 4,500 members, the first agro-industrial enterprise devoted to producing marijuana. In the late 1950s the community was dispersed, disseminating Rasta teachings throughout the ghettos of the island. A young singer named Bob Marley adopted Howell's message, and through Marley's visions, reggae made its explosion in the music world.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Music, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Michael Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very believable account of one of the true prophets sent to create LOVE on broken mother earth. Gong was Not only spiritually guided but had with him the divinity of GOD.
The Word, Sound & Power & the One Aim, One Heart, One destiny structure that breathes daily in millions of people's lives. Blessed be Leonard Percevil Howell 'Gong'

[Craig White · Rating 4 out of 5]

true, this is an excellent book, ambitiously and crucially putting bones on the legend of leonard howell, one of the first to champion ras tafari and founder of the pinnacle community. a figure from the periphery of my interest and knowledge, given flesh, meticulously researched and entertainingly written about. this is a great piece of work, as it brings together all aspects of the man before the information became, as they say, lost in legend. even at the time of writing, though, some avenues of research are ended abruptly by lost or destroyed records, causing a little conjecture as to actual happenings, and it would appear some elements of a darker nature were in progress. i did find this a little frustrating, as i find it strange that the man who was as a counselor/leader of the rasta community, also kept an office in kingston, and wore a three piece suit to carry out business there. we are not aware, though, completely of what he dealt with therein, and in not knowing are perhaps left to assume some of his dealings were contrary to the movement's aims and goals. this of course adds deeper mystery to an already, almost mythical, individual.
considering that the author had no access to howell's papers and books (lost and likely destroyed), and had limited, but valuable, assistance from his sons, this is a bit of a triumph of research. and to have left me hanging in suspense over several issues, is entirely no fault of her's, as i am sure that every piece of evidence, to be found in this book, is included within. an excellent piece of work.

[Ismael AbduSalaam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough account of the origins of the Rastari movement and its founder. As a newcomer, I enjoyed the writer not minimizing his shortcomings (womanizing, bad business dealings) and showing how his ambition, charisma, and passion for black empowerment inspired new Rasta philosophies beyond him. A must-read historical introduction to the Rasta movement.

[Douglas Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent biography, a revelation. Leonard Howell was crucial in the early days of Rasta and this book and the research that went into it goes a long way to explaining the Gong's place in the tradition.

[JEAN-PHILIPPE PEROL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the French original version. Un livre documenté et agréable à lire , l'auteur ayant choisi un style très journalistique et très vivant. Un contexte historique pas toujours bien developpé, une analyse des autres courants éthiopistes - avant, pendant et après- pas assez structurée rendent la compréhension parfois difficile. La dimension sociale et culturelle du mouvement Ras Tafarian, la répression parfois cruelle dont il a fait l'objet, le rappel de l'influence indienne dans ses pratiques cultuels - dreadlocks et régime alimentaire compris-, l'interessant rappel des traditions musicales font cependant du livre d Helene Lee une contribution importante à l'étude des admirateurs du Roi des Rois.

[Titilayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book by accident. Having been mistaken for a Rastafarian and hung out with a few i figured what the heck. The book is written by a French journalist who in an anthropologist manner journeyed to Jamacia to find out what the new religous craze of Rasta was all about during the cruz of Reggae's importation/exportation to distant places. Its a good history. One that surprisingly many of the self-proclaimed Rastas that i know have little knowledge about.It talks about the interplay of politics, West Indian immigration, and the human tendancy to cope with tough situations by adopting mentally soothing ideologies. I liked it.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this 5-stars but I can't because of the jumbled way in which the story is told. I wish it had been told in a more chronological order, sometimes I had to go back and read to figure out what I was supposed to be garnering on the current page. The 4-stars are for the information and research, not so much for the ease of reading it. As a Jamaican of course I'm uber critical of the truth being told and I found that Ms. Lee did a good job of searching that out.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably as succinct a history you will get of the Rastafarian movement from the West. It's complicated, and convoluted, but it's definitely more than ever met the eye to those who may think it was only about ganja and Selassie. The author goes to the local people and gets good interviews and information. This was a movement that had been around since the late thirties before second generation rastas like Bob Marley took to an international awareness. Good stuff here.

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But they should have L-O-V-E-- L for Long love, O for Overflowing love, V for Virtuous love, E for Eternal love. Love and equality would reign in earth. their King was Ras Tafari who was the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Eject of God, Conquering Lion of Judah and father of the world to come."
-p76

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

i couldn't finish it. given the interest i have in the story of the rastafarian movement i was super disappointed; this book was so boring. i'll have to find another one to tell me more about the movement.

[Farhana Faruq · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating history!

I think Helene did a wonderful job putting this together considering the limited information out there about Leonard Howell.

This has always been a subject of interest for me and I'm very happy I was able to find this book.

[Sarah Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent look at the history of rastafarianism and the influences that spawned the creation.....After this book you can never listen to the music the same

[T. Justin White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned that I cannot stop thinking.

[Paulr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had takin a Caribbean liberal at school and fell in love with the culture. I got this book and found it hard to read but too interesting to give up. Jah live!

[Jennifer Waddell · Rating 3 out of 5]

sucked boring as hell

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and found the History very interesting.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! Full of really interesting stuff. You dont have to be a reggae head to enjoy.