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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE August 21, 2005
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| July 25, 2005 |
Montego Bay, Jamaica – Understanding the Rastafarian Way of Life |
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| Peace Boat participants are welcomed with Rastafarian flags. |
In the verdant hills of Montego Bay’s interior – “Mobay” to locals – a group of Peace Boat participants gained an insight into Rastafari, a spiritual movement that worships the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie and his vision of a unified Africa. To most Rastafarians it is simply a way of life and a natural way of living rather than a religion. E.T. Webster, a popular reggae musician, welcomed Peace Boat participants to Iziz’s Garden, his Rastafarian sanctuary. The property had been cleared from the surrounding jungle and replaced with gardens, a stone farmhouse and a rest area. Flowering with mango, papaya, breadfruit and even lychee trees, as well as various herbs, plants and blossoms, the property has a spiritual energy attuned with nature. Although Mr. Webster owned the property for 25 years, it was only three years ago that he had it developed. “Three years ago I dreamt about the property, about how I must create a spiritual space,” he explained. |
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| The landscape of Iziz’s Garden. |
On the way to the property, Esther, a long-time Rastafari, recounted her path towards the movement. “When I was little I heard of a black-hearted man with dreadlocks who steals children and he was a Rastafari,” she began. Since most Jamaicans were Christian and wary of the Rastafarian view of God’s words, stories like these spread as a result of misunderstanding. Rastafarians were ostracized from society and fled to the interior hills of Jamaica. Before long, Rastafarian communities were formed and continue to be self-sustaining today. The communities learned to use the herbs and plants from nature to cook and seek remedies for whatever ailed them. When Esther was a student she went on a search to find a spiritual outlet. It was a time when students like herself were researching their roots in Africa, and the radio was playing music from Rastafarian artists like Bob Marley. The overall message was of pride in being African. Jamaica was one of the first countries to promote Ethiopia and Haile Selassie’s teachings, and the first Rastafarian community was established in Jamaica by Leonard Owen in the 1930s. Amidst this atmosphere, Esther was led to the Rastafarian movement, where she felt a deep spiritual connection. When asked whether her identity is Rastafarian or Jamaican, Esther replied, “We see ourselves as African”. |
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| E.T. Webster performs a private concert for Peace Boat participants. |
Why African? The Rastafarian movement arose from the teachings of The Most High Jah Ras Tafari, H.I.M Haile Selassie. He was the first African to be admitted into the League of Nations (which ultimately became the United Nations) and gave international recognition to Africa and Africans. His teachings influence the spiritual core of the Rastafarian movement. At Iziz’s Garden, Junior – another member of the community – continued to explain the Rastafarian movement in his own words. He used the usual greeting, “Rastafari, ja, Rastafari” to welcome everyone. “Rastafari is a consciousness and Haile Selassie is the key,” he said. “Haile Selassie was one of the first Africans to tell all Africans to live as one.” Religion, race, color, creed and gender are not the key issues in the Rastafarian movement, rather “it is the advancement of humanity standing against oppression of any people or person by any other people or persons as well as encouraging the respect of each other.” It espouses equal rights and justice for all. The Rastafarian flag is the colors of Ethiopia – red, gold and green. “Red stands for the blood of the nation; gold for the golden throne of Ethiopia; and green for vegetation and prosperity,” he explained. The ultimate Rastafari vision is to return to Ethiopia and develop the country further. |
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| With performances by E.T. Webster and other local artists like Djani, participants enjoyed the Sun Bash reggae concert. |
Participants dined on a lunch based around the vegan, holistic diet called Ital, which is observed by most Rastafarians. Tonics and juices made from powdered roots, crushed herbs and fruits are used to promote good health and cure ailments. “Every plant has roots, so the drinks take you back to your roots”. This idea refers to the earth and to Africa. Bongo Isaac, introduced as “an ancient Rastafari man”, has been a herbal doctor for over 50 years. “One time no Rastafari could walk in any town. They had to hide in the bush,” he explained. “But now they came a long way come, now we are everywhere.” Rastafari, he says, is “one people, one destiny, one hope and perfect love to all”. Musicians played drums and chants to keep spirits high, while Bongo Isaac spoke about the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica. “Some schools accept us not, and it’s hard to get work, but we have promoted ourselves so when you think of Jamaica you think Rastafari”. |
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