RASTA FARIANISM...CONTEMPORARY APPEAL LEADS JAMAICAN RESURGENCE..."Its contemporary appeal is particuarly
For the black nationalist Bobo Ashanti commuine, the Rastafarian faith isa transforming way of lief, where Rastas strive to live a fugual existance uncomplicated by binding relationships to "Babalon"- the unflattering term for the Western world. They share a deep alienation from modern life and Jamaica is precieved as a temporary harbor until prophecy is fulfilled and they journey to the promise land of africa on big ships.
THE MELDING OF OLD TESTAMENT AND PAN AFRICANISM, RASTAAFARIANISM EMERGED IN COLONIAL ERA JAMAICA IN 19 30 OUT OF ANGER OVER THE OPPRESSION OF BLACKS...
ITS MESSAGE WAS SPREAD BY THE REGGAE SONGS CREATED BY MUSICAL ICONS BOB MARLEY, PETER TOSH, BURNING SPEAR AND OTHERES IN THE 1970, AND THE MOVEMENT HAS ATTRACTED A FOLLOWIING AMONG REGGAE-LOVING AMERICANS, EUROPEANS AND ASIANS. ACADEMICS BELIEVE AT LEAST I MILLION PEOPLE PRACTICE IT WORLD-WIDE.
...A FEW WOMEN AND ABOUT 200 DREADLOCKED MEN WITH FLOWING ROBES AND TIGHTLY WRAPPED TURBANS PRAYED, FASTED AND FASHIONED HANDMADE BROOMS-SMOKING MARIJUANA ONLY AS A CERMONIAL RITUAL AT THIS BOBO ASHANTI COMMUNE ON AN ISOLATED HILTOP...A PLACE OVER LOOKING THE TURQOISE SEA THAT THE BIG SHIPS WILL SOME DAY ARRIVE TO CARRY THE DECENDANTS OF AFRICA BACK TO AFRICA...
THIS IS FROM AN ASSOCIATED PRESS ARTICLE BY DAVID MCFADDEN CALLED RASTAFAROAMOS, (GROWTH AFTER LONG DISDAIN) (SMILE)
READIING THIS ARTICLE, I THOUGHT OF TAHT OLD NEGRO SPIRITUAL, "SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT, COMING FOR TO CARRY ME HOME"...AND MY SAINTED GRANDMOTHER. (SMILE)