Do you remember when college protests involved marches instead of Facebook petitions? When music involved deep-rooted political and ideological messages instead of lust-filled debauchery, or when substances were used to free your mind and explore the nature of reality instead of getting wasted on a Saturday night? Neither do I, but who from the ’60s and ’70s remembers anything anyway?
You may be wondering where I am going with this. Is he going to talk about increased Christian spirituality or hippies? To be honest, I just needed a segway to introduce Bob Marley. This singer and activist was a member of the Rastafari faith. And this week, for the sake of you, the Boston University community, I am going to become a Rasta.
Though many Rastas would deny that Rastafari is a religion for theological reasons, for the purposes of this column I am going to consider it one, rather than simply a way of life. Also, though there is hardly a universal definition for what constitutes a religion, Rastafari has many elements that would place it within the category, such as holy scriptures, a belief in a supernatural being, a concept of life and death, rituals and symbols.
“But Nick,” you exclaim, “don’t be silly, you aren’t black.” Don’t rub it in. The color of my skin and my heritage are actually unimportant. Rastafari is a fascinating religion that developed in the slums of Jamaica, fusing Christianity and Afro-centrism to make an incredibly spiritual faith.
Now, being that I am from Jamaica . . . Jamaica, Queens, I felt that it would be appropriate for me to convert to being a Rasta this week.
It may be a bit premature of me, but this week, I am going to celebrate a Rastafari holy day a few months earlier than I should. This day, Grounation Day, is a day of celebration which commemorates the visit of Emperor Haile Selassie I’s visit to Jamaica on April 21, 1966.
This day is incredibly important to us Rastas because of our belief that His Imperial Majesty (HIM), ruler of Ethiopia, is the physical incarnation of Jah, himself. Jah, in case you are wondering, is what we call god. In fact, Rastafari derives from his pre-coronation name Tafari, and the title Ras, which means King (the position he held before becoming Emperor). The Kings of Ethiopia are believed to be descended from the communion of King David and the Queen of Sheba, effectively making all Ethiopians, and us Rastas, one of the lost tribes of Israel.
But why do we revere him so? Aside from being the first African ruler with international prowess in a colonial Western World, it was foretold by Marcus Garvey, writer during the Harlem Renaissance, that all blacks should look to Africa, for there a King shall arise. Many of us regard Garvey as a prophet, being one of the first to advocate a return to the culture and heritage that was stolen through the slave trade.
But back to Grounation Day, finally, HIM arrived in Jamaica, much to our acclaim, for he is our black Messiah, or a reincarnation of Jesus. The one who will eventually lead all black people back to Africa – our Zion, the Promised Land – away from the corrupting influences of Babylon (Babylon referring to any modern institution that corrupts). He arrived in Jamaica to set us free. But before we can return to Ethiopia with him, he told us we need to work for a free Jamaica first, so justice can be provided for all.
Today, I celebrate Grounation Day with my fellow Rastas. Now, our celebration may seem like an excuse to get high, but it really isn’t. Our use of cannabis and listening to Reggae is a spiritual practice (even though the cops don’t believe us). The cannabis allows for the mind to become relaxed and become one with Jah while we converse on the true meaning of the Bible. Reggae is a music that fully expresses our beliefs and where we came from. Only through Reggae can we truly express the defiance that was inspired through the wretched conditions of the slums of Jamaica. Only through Reggae can we express our belief in the importance of life and everlasting life. Only through Reggae can we reclaim what was stolen from us by Babylon.
Though many claim Emperor Haile Selassie I died years ago, I know a true incarnation of God can never die. He is out there working for our freedom, to return us to the Zion of Africa. In the meantime, however, I will wait, work for a better Jamaica, pray to Jah and just like Bob Marley before me, work to advocate peace, so that Jah’s desires will come to fruition.
Nicholas Shaman, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a weekly columnist for The Daily Free Press. He can be reached at [email protected]
