Robert Nesta Marley, the most powerful Reggae Ambassador in history, was one of the first to show Rastafarian dreadlocks to the world back in the 70s. The Rastafari movement has spread throughout much of the world, largely through interest generated by reggae music - most notably, that of the Jamaican music icon. Today, the movement’s signature trademarks have been adopted by the masses and dreadlocks combined with vibrant red, gold and green continue to create worldwide fashion trends.
The Rastafari culture will forever be intertwined with the singer who put the island of Jamaica on the international music scene with the exotic, pulsing beat of reggae. The fundamentals of this spiritual religion are often clichéd and is understood by many. Some consider it a cult, but Rastafari is a proud way of life for more than 10% of Jamaican residents and one million followers worldwide.
The pre-cursor to the Rastafari movement was started by St. Ann’s Bay born Marcus Garvey, a black separatist who successfully encouraged black pride throughout the 1920s and 30s. Regarded as a prophet by many, Garvey promoted repatriation to Africa via his shipping company the “Black Star Liner.” Based on an interpretation of a biblical prophecy, Garvey heavily endorsed the ascension of a new, African “Messiah” with his message; “Look to Africa, for there a king shall be crowned.”
Thus, the religious Rastafarian movement was born when Jamaicans Leonard Howell, Joseph Hibbert, Archibald Dunkley and Robert Hinds attached spiritual significance to Garvey’s 1927 prophecy upon the coronation of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, planting a seed which began to grow in the slums of Kingston in the early 1930s.
The 225th in an unbroken line of Ethiopian monarchs who descended from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Ras Tafari Makonnen was coroneted as “His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I” on November 2, 1930 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The name Rastafari comes from Ras (Head), and Tafari Makonnen, the pre-coronation name of Haile Selassie I.
The group was convinced that Selassie, as Africa’s only black monarch was the awaited “Messiah”, a part of the Holy Trinity, whose return was prophesied in the Bible’s Book of Revelation 5:5. Accepting the former Emperor of Ethiopia as God incarnate on earth, the spiritual movement began referring to Haile Selassie as Jah (Yahweh), Jah Rastafari, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The Living God and the Black Messiah, who was to lead scattered African slaves back to the promised land of Zion, which Rastafarians believe to be Ethiopia.
When Haile Selassie visited Jamaica on April 21, 1966, nearly 200,000 people flocked to Kingston Airport to see the powerful statesman and “Living God” to the Rastas. It is said that the weather suddenly became stormy and changeable and that seven white doves appeared in the sky. Just as suddenly, bright rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, shining on Selassi’s plane approaching Kingston airport.
Among the spectators was Rita Marley. Not a Rastafarian at the time, the event convinced her of his divinity and led her to describe the sight as “a stigmata appearing on Haile Selassie.” Despite the followers hope that their leader would bring them back to Africa, Selassie told his followers to liberate the people of Jamaica first, and then repatriate to Africa. Rastafarians consider a few chosen to be physically immortal. Among them is Haile Selassie, whose death in 1975 Rastafarians still believe to be a hoax.
In 1963, Haile Selassie addressed the United Nations with his famous peace speech condemning racism, which Bob Marley later used as the basis for the lyrics of his song War. With his powerful words, Selassie inspired Bob to sermonize: “until the philosophy, which holds one race superior and another inferior, is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned” and “until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, me say war…“
Today, most Rastafarians prefer to set aside racial animosity, promoting world peace and harmony. The movement has been subject to criticism for various reasons, but when speaking to a real Rasta, you find out that there are several doctrines to follow, some of which require more discipline than others.
To non-believers, the most visible mark of Rastafarians is the dreadlocks, which symbolize the mane of the Lion of Judah and the rebellion against modern society, also referred to as “Babylon.” Biblically, this doctrine is supported by Leviticus 21:5: “They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in the flesh” and Numbers 6:5 which states: “he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.”
Rastas follow the rules of “ital” cuisine, which are adapted from Leviticus and Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. The diet is mainly vegetarian, low in sodium and free of additives. Limited types of meat are allowed, but shellfish and pork are forbidden. Since “Babylon” tries to confuse the “chosen” by intake of disallowed substances, religious Rastas stay away from alcohol.
Symbolizing loyalty to the African motherland, Rastas usually wear something red, gold and green, often combined with black representing Marcus Garvey’s philosophy of “Pan-African Unity.” Red stands for the blood of martyrs, green for the vegetation and gold for the wealth of the African continent.
The Rasta population has even created their own vocabulary and if a Rastaman speaks of “I-and-I”, he means “we” or “the Rastafarians.” To “overstand” is to “understand”, putting enlightenment in a higher position. “Irie” describes “anything pleasing”, while “dedication” was changed to “livication” as to avoid association with the word “death.” “Oppression” is “downpression” and a Rasta pays his “raspect”, rather than “respect.”
“Excuse me while I light my spliff,” sang Bob Marley, referring to a non-compulsory doctrine, which to some is a sacrament and way to gain higher consciousness. The smoking of cannabis, herb, weed, ganja, ishence (incense) or “the healing of the nation”, is a phrase adapted from Revelation 22:2, and Rastafarians believe that several bible verses justify weed smoking, including Genesis 1:11: “And God said, let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so” and Genesis 3:18: “... thou shalt eat the herb of the field.”
The right to smoke weed based on the above biblical verses was unsuccessfully tried in Courts of Law of the United States and UK, as part of a person’s right to freedom of religion, proving to some Rastas that Babylon’s system is trying to withhold them from gaining consciousness.
Rastafari reject the wide range of “-isms” in modern society and want no part in them, for example communism and capitalism. They especially reject the word Rastafarianism, because they see themselves as having transcended “isms and schisms.”
In spite of the controversy Rastas create, their strong international influence cannot be denied and on the very rocky road they continue to travel, they have come far. Why else would you find a Rastafarian community in a remote Russian countryside and the colors of red, gold and green shining through a window on a foggy morning in a small town in Bavaria?
‘Rastaman vibrations gonna cover the earth! Like the water cover the sea!’ Bob Marley
THE LEGACY ROARS ON
Inspired by Bob’s example several “Africa Unite” concerts have been staged in Ethiopia and Ghana and Jamaica. In February 2008, the Rita Marley Foundation paid tribute to Bob with another staging at James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, territory of music mogul and former Marley manager Chris Blackwell. The highlight of the show was the extraordinary opportunity to see all the Marley children, who today carry on Bob’s musical legacy.
he contemplated suicide after losing his dad. But then, someone gave him a CD with my dad’s music.” The more the Swede listened to Bob’s words the more the burden lifted off of his shoulders. “My dad’s message is timeless and very powerful.”
Ky-Mani and his brothers and sisters delivered a great show in Oracabessa and it was an honor speaking to one of Bob’s offspring. Despite the common perception that siblings of famous musicians have an easy road to success due to the already made name, the Marley siblings have proven that it is not their iconic name, but their outstanding talent, which has given them international recognition. Among many other awards, the Marley brothers have been showered with Grammies. In 2008, Ky-Mani and Stephen were nominated and Stephen’s “Mind Control” won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album as a solo act. Their older brother Ziggy won the year before with “Love is my Religion” and younger sibling Damian’s albums “Half Way Tree” and “Welcome to Jamrock” were awarded Grammies in 2002 and 2006 respectively, with no other than Stephen as the album’s producer.
“My music will go on forever.” Bob Marley
The Marley siblings have been brought up as Rastas. Ziggy once stated that when he grew up and actually had the choice as to what religion to practice, he knew that the spiritual religion was the right faith for him. “We were Rastas from we were born, just trying to live a good life and reach a spiritual height through our weariness,” he explained.
A few days before the show, we caught up with Ky-Mani Marley by phone, while on tour with heavy metal band Van Halen. “It is an overwhelming pleasure to be able to perform at the show together with my brothers,” said Marley, who does not have an easy task proving himself in the music industry.
Born in Falmouth to former table-tennis champion Anita Belnavis, Ky-Mani is the second to last of Bob’s children. Leaving Jamaica at the age of nine, he grew up in a rough environment in Miami and at first, did not show any interest in music. Sport was his passion, but today, with four incredible albums to his name, the 32 year old does his famous surname justice.
His music is experimental and he is not shy of combining different music genres. “Touring with Van Halen got me even stronger in my aim to prove the point that I can carry the name Marley and do my own thing.” He described the tour as incredible and a great opportunity, despite Van Halen having the larger fan base. “I got my fair share of recognition,” he added.
Demonstrating his musical versatility, Ky-Mani told us that the last albums he bought were Tupac, Kenny Rogers and Sam Cooke, proving that although a Rasta, reggae is not his only passion. No wonder, the name Ky-Mani stands for “adventurous traveller.”
“My main aim is to be myself and to be able to express myself. My message, although rough at times always promoted love,” said Ky-Mani. His down-to-earth persona makes Ky-Mani a natural actor that shines through in several movie productions including “One Love”, “Haven”, “Shottas” and the BETJ reality show “Living the Life of Marley.” Asked about his favorite old time Jamaican movie, he is faithful to his roots, selecting “The Harder They Come with Jimmy Cliff” as his most loved choice.
On his 2000 album, “The Journey”, Ky-Mani released the incredibly emotional song “Dear Dad”, using the words of a letter he once wrote to his famous father. He told us that Jah blessed him with one memory of his father. “When I was about 4, I remember dad picking me up in Falmouth. We went to Nine Miles, where Stephen and I played in the bush with dad’s slingshot, which I ended up losing. ‘Yu inna trouble now, wah yu go tel daddy?’ Stephen said to me. I remember my dad smiling down at me in a very special way, when I confessed to him.”
The magnitude of his father’s name was demonstrated even more to Ky-Mani when he started traveling, seeing the image of Bob on T-shirts and posters and hearing the sound of his music in the most remote places. Ky-Mani is living proof that Bob’s message has inspired, changed and influenced people. While touring in Sweden, a young man broke down in tears and told him an incredible story. “He told me that he contemplated suicide after losing his dad. But then, someone gave him a CD with my dad’s music.” The more the Swede listened to Bob’s words the more the burden lifted off of his shoulders. “My dad’s message is timeless and very powerful.”
Ky-Mani and his brothers and sisters delivered a great show in Oracabessa and it was an honor speaking to one of Bob’s offspring. Despite the common perception that siblings of famous musicians have an easy road to success due to the already made name, the Marley siblings have proven that it is not their iconic name, but their outstanding talent, which has given them international recognition. Among many other awards, the Marley brothers have been showered with Grammies. In 2008, Ky-Mani and Stephen were nominated and Stephen’s “Mind Control” won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album as a solo act. Their older brother Ziggy won the year before with “Love is my Religion” and younger sibling Damian’s albums “Half Way Tree” and “Welcome to Jamrock” were awarded Grammies in 2002 and 2006 respectively, with no other than Stephen as the album’s producer.
Words like heritage and legacy are often used in connection with Bob’s children. They will always be associated with their father as a musical and cultural icon. And this is how it should be.
“My music will go on forever.” Bob Marley
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