Rastafarians and Ethiopia

The most clear aspect of the Bobo Shanti (though this is of course not limited to the Bobo Shanti) is their emphasis on the return to the Ethiopia. This Short YouTube video, gives us an insight into a Bobo Shanti village in Jamaica, and starts of with a walk through a ceremony celebrating the return to Africa. This focus on the return to Africa is reflection of the Jew's exile from the "promised land" to Babylon. This village feels as though the land to which they belong is in Ethiopia, and hey are placed in Jamaica (and they got there through the slave trading). It is no surprise that their main focus is on the return to Africa as the name Bobo Shanti essentially means Children of Africa.

They of course reinforce these beliefs in other aspects of their religious practices. For example they wear red turbans around their dread locks, red of course being on of the colors of Ethiopia; this, reinforcing the belief that this is where they belong and that they are loyal to the land. Interestingly, they also closely follow the Jewish law. They are strict on diet, and the rules revolving around cleanliness through hygiene. They also are known for carrying around brooms with them to symbolize their cleanliness. They also follow the Sabbath on Saturday from sundown Friday to sunset Saturday. This strict following of Jewish Law shows how much they believe that Ethiopia is the promised land which God favors.

This closeness to the Jewish tradition and the longing to go back to Africa is the most interesting part of the Rastafarian religion. Which is interesting because knowing nothing about the Rastafari movement, I imagine that most people would assume that it is about smoking pot and having a good time. I think it is important to take a closer look at these people and realize that what they believe is closer to what many other people believe today.

imagnes from:

http://www.ethiopianrastafari.info/ethiopianrastafari_patches.html

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/davebulow/wow/