Abstract
Describes "Rasta" as a form of religious and cultural expression. Discusses the link between "Rasta" and contemporary music, the political/cultural influences, such as Pan Africanism, the Back-to-Africa movement, and the popular culture of modern Jamaica.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of Rastafarianism on contemporary music. The plan of the research will be to set forth the popular-culture origins of Rastafarianism as a mode of religious and cultural expression and then to discuss ..."

Abstract
This paper explains the rise and spread of Rastafarianism and how reggae helped popularize these beliefs. It looks at different songs and lyrics by the famous Rasta singer, Bob Marley, which called for a change in attitudes towards the Rastafarians.

From the Paper
"Influenced largely by New Orleans Blues, (urban American pop music of the 1940's) the style of reggae adopted rhythms which shifted their accents off beat. "This new style was called reggae, for its ragged cadence, and its lilting and mesmeric quality seemed especially suited for new dimensions of storytelling and social commentary." (Rolling Stones, March 2005: pg 72) In Jamaica, music was used as a means to tell stories or pass on tradition or information. It was because of this musical acculturation that a new form of music was initiated and the people had a catchy way to express their emotion. "It was music that gave a displaced population a way to tell truths about their lives and a way of claiming victory over daily misery, or at least of finding a respite." (Rolling Stones, March 2005: pg 70) Reggae was a form of expression.'"

Tags:bob, marley

Abstract
This paper traces the origins and development of the Rastafarian religion, beginning with the spokesman, Marcus Garvey. The contributions of Emperor Haile Selassie are focused upon and the development of the religion in Jamaica is studied. The philosophy behind the religion is explored and its doctrine is laid out. The religion's colors, symbols and rituals are explained and the external influences on the religion are looked at.

From the Paper
"However, the Rastafarian movement gained a following and formally began in 1930, after Selassie was crowned and the evident completion of the millennial expectations of Marcus Garvey. Furthermore, one of its early leaders Leonard Howell, who in 1933 was arrested by the Jamaican government for preaching a revolutionary doctrine (The Perennial Dictionary of World Religions, Keith Crim, editor, p. 601), helped formed the theology of the movement. His arrest helped shaped the movement's organizational structure."

Tags:Marcus, Garvey, Emperor, Haile, Selassie, Jamaica, Ethiopia, philosophy, doctrine, color, symbol, ritual

Abstract
This paper explains that Rastafarianism, although not truly biblical, is still an established religion and is protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. he author points out that the legal conflict is the smoking of marijuana as part of the rituals, which violates the government drug laws; but everything else the Rastafarians believe abides with the law and is perfectly legal to practice. The author believes that the First Amendment rights to practice one's religion do not permit one to practice illegal behavior; the law takes priority over religious freedoms in this instance.

Table of Contents
Background
Conflicts
Doctrine as Compared to Biblical References
Summary

From the Paper
"Marcus Garvey was born in 1887. He was one of the people responsible for the Rastafarian movement, because of his philosophical ideologies. He was the founder of the "back-to-Africa" movement, as well as an influential spokesman during the early 1920's. Garvey predicted the coming of the Rastafarian's redeemer, and just a few years later, his prediction came true, when Haile Selassie was crowned King of Ethiopia. Marcus Garvey had been said to be only second to Haile Selassie. His philosophy was credited as the beginning point of Rastafarianism. Rastafari comes from the word Ras, meaning "prince", in the Amharic language, and the word Tafari, which was the name of the emperor of Ethiopia."

Tags:marijuana, ethiopia, bible, ritual, david

Abstract
This religious study defines the spiritual and religious communities and cultural policies that define Rastafarian nationalism under British colonial policy. The paper shows how with the iconic cultural leadership of King Haile Selassi I and Leonard Howell, the roots of a political and religious foundation for nationalism was formed for the working poor in Jamaica.

Tags:race, issues, war

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the reggae music artist Bob Marley used a speech by Ethiopian leader Halie Selassie for the song "War." The writer points out that Selassie was an African leader and also a major figure in the religion of Rastafarianism, of which Marley was a member. Marley was also known for his lyrical content in terms of his ability to directly address political issues of the time. The writer discusses that by looking at the song lyrics to the Bob Marley song "War," the listeners of the music and the readers of the lyrics can see how the artist is first of all a Rastafarian by religion, and then an activist by political involvement: the song shows both sides of Marley, the Rasta side and the political side. The writer maintains that despite an observation of his being above politics, Marley was also linked by association with politics by the explicit political themes he often chose as his message. The writer concludes that the result, whether through misinterpretation or intention, was not universally positive or peace-love, either.

From the Paper
"Bob Marley was seen by many as a representative voice of the Jamaican lower class and Rastafarian religion and culture, and there are explicit political connections to be made between his music and society, especially his work with the Wailers, during which time the song "War" was co-opted from Selassie's speech. At many times during Marley's life, the connections he made with politics were explicit, as when he used his stage to unite political leaders in a spirit of friendliness and hand-shaking, or when he sang about the dire situation in Africa in songs like "War," which as mentioned was directly taken from a political speech by the Rastafarian deity and Ethiopian dictator Haile Selassie. But at the same time, there is a tension between politics and religion/mysticism in Marley's life and lyrics that makes calling him a political leader or saying that he chose political reggae music difficult. To a true Rastafarian, which image Marley adhered to even at the heights of his international pop-stardom, involvement politics was to be avoided at all costs as a function of Babylon. But at the other end of the spectrum, Marley was definitely involved in political activities, and "War" signifies lyrically what is basically a political message about African unity and peace, only to be achieved through freedom from bondage."

Tags:Rastafarian, political, reggae, lyrics

Abstract
The paper examines the persuasion of people using music (lyrics and melody). It focuses on Bob Marley and his ability to influence entire cultures in a political/social movement. The paper shows how Marley's music and lyrics worked as the rhetoric of the Rastafarian movement against oppression, exploitation and racism in Jamaica. Using metaphors to describe the hardships of the political fights of Jamaicans and Africans, the paper shows how Marley established himself as the spokesman of a race and culture.

From the Paper
"Some of the most attainable goals of persuasive songs are those focused toward a particular movement's members; such as reinforcing the ideas of the movement, promoting unity, and maintaining high confidence among members. In other words, songs of persuasion may prove to be effective in terms of reinforcing the beliefs already held by movement members and sympathizers. Rarely do such songs succeed in their attempt to reach those who are not already sympathetic to the cause (Sellnow). Although Marley never intended to recruit as many people into his particular beliefs, his standpoint on peace and unity was felt throughout the world."

Tags:Jamaica, Rastafari, Jah, Exodus

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the documentary film "Roaring Lions" which chronicles the origins of the Rastafarian indigenous social movement in the Caribbean. It looks at how Rastafarianism is much more than reggae music and the tunes of Bob Marley, although those cultural items have introduced many people to Rastafarianism around the world. It contends that Rastafarianism is a social movement working to become an accepted religion in Jamaica and other Caribbean nations.

From the Paper
"Essentially, the Rastafarian movement began in the 1930s, when Jamaicans discovered the black emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I. One Rastafarian in "Roaring Lion" says, "In Jamaica, we always worshipped a white Christ, and a white king, and a white queen" ("Roaring Lion"), which helps the viewer understand how a black king would be such a strong, magnetic draw for these people. They raised Selassie to the status of God, (they call him "Jah") and believe he is part of a Holy Trinity foreseen in the Bible and destined to return to Earth. This movement, like many indigenous social movements, began in the poor communities of working and peasant blacks, and it has spread throughout the Caribbean and far beyond, to be embraced by people all over the world. "

Tags:reggae, Jamaica, Caribbean, Jah