The Start of the Rastafair Movement

Karla E.                                                          

Per. 4

April 21, 2011

The Start of the Rastafari Movement

The Rastafari draw their beliefs from the bible, which they believe to have been incorrectly translated from the Aramaic and, for that reason, to contain some mistakes. They believe that through experience they can interpret it correctly. They also believe that their savior Jah will bring them to Africa, the land of freedom.

In 1517 Jamaica started importing African slaves. Not happy with the way their white masters treated them, many slaves escaped. Even after the end of slavery many black people desired to go back to Africa, because they remained unhappy with their miserable lives like bad nourishment  

In 1916 Marcus Garvey, who was considered a prophet by the Rasta’s, formed the Universal Negro Improvement Association. In 1929 he said that redemption would come when a black king would be crowned. Although the king had to descent from king David. On November 2, 1929 Negus Tamari, who was said to be descendent from king David, was crowned king of Ethiopia. He then received the name Haile Salassie the first. It was then when the Rastafari believed their salvation had arrived.

         In 1937, after the Rastafari movement had started, Haile Salassie created the Ethiopian World Federation. In 1938, he also opened a branch in Jamaica giving the movement more confidence. By 1940 Leonard Howell, who was a member of the U.N.I.A., established the first Rasta community at Pinnacle, Jamaica. After Haile Salassie’s visit to Jamaica, it was settled that their country came to be regarded as a spiritual rather than literal country. Therefore, the movement developed a more active, political role in Jamaica.

Despite Haile Salassies death in August 1975, Rasta’s still believe he is alive and always will be. Throughout time the movement has spread from Jamaica to other parts of the world like the United States and Europe. It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 Rastafarians in Jamaica.