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The origins and significance of Rastafarianism and its influence on Bob Marley and Reggae Music

Regarded as the core of Rastafarian culture, reggae music is also the heart and soul of Jamaica. Rastafarianism emerged in the 20th century along with reggae music in the 1960's. We cannot discuss reggae without also touching on the topic of spirituality; in this case, it is the spirituality as defined by the Rastafari religion. During the 1930's Jamaica was an island where depression, discrimination and racism dominated, especially in the poorest areas. This is where

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Rastafarianism came in to help out the community. The Rasta's claim that Haile Selassie, emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ and their religion worships a single God, known as Jah (Wikipedia). Rastafarianism therefore originated in Jamaica around this time as a result of the strong oppression by Western nations. Its basic principles include the desire to defy Babylon (a common term used to define Western culture) as well as using non-violence as a method to achieve this. Furthermore their principles consist of a peaceful self-ruling and independent society together with a interdependent relationship with nature and their surrounding environment illustrated by the fact that often Rastafarians are vegetarians and prefer avoiding foodstuffs such as alcohol, meat, pork and shellfish instead basing their diets on alternative nutrients such as those in mango and coconut. Another extremely important aspect of the Rastafarian culture is dreadlocks; in fact these are a way to reject Babylon and its inauthenticity inspiring dread in its inhabitants. Having dreadlocks also was a symbol of dominance and uprising of slaves. Furthermore Rastafarians believe that by shaking their dreadlocks a connection is created between God and themselves. Another method of completing this divine connection is by smoking ganja which also counteracts the daily oppression. Wisdomweed (marijuana) is regarded as a herb of religious significance. It is used in Rastafari reasoning sessions, which are communal meetings involving meditation(BBC). When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself (Bob Marley).The Rastafarian method of non-violence has therefore allowed the survival of Jamaica's population along with other colonies of the West Indies providing survival against the influence of Babylon as well as pride in the African culture. The Symbol attached to this culture/religion is a flag with three colors Red(bottom), Green(top) and

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Gold(middle) with the picture of a Lion in the center of the flag.

The music and the religion are deeply tied together. During the 1970s, audience generally assumed that reggae musicians are also believers of the Rastafari faith. Roots reggae is the name given to explicitly Rastafarian inspired reggae: a spiritual type of music whose lyrics are predominantly in praise of Jah (God). Recurrent lyrical themes include poverty and resistance to government oppression (NWE).One of the major promoters of both Rastafarianism and its music has been Bob Marley who has an incredible influence globally. Bob Marley had a tremendous impact in Africa, according to Rasta-man- vibration, it is through this experience that Marley became aware of the wide array of issues facing Africa and in particular realized the importance of the liberation struggle taking place in Zimbabwe. Robert Nesta Marley, known to the world as Bob Marley, was born in Jamaica February 6 1945 and died May 11 1981.He died battling cancer. To date the largest funeral the island of Jamaica has seen, there were farewell supporters from all over the world. Bob Marley was a singer song writer, musician and activist. His father was a white Jamaican and his mother black Jamaican. Bob Marley was known internationally for reggae music and Rastafarianism. Bob Marley was one of the most charismatic and challenging performers of his time. He is accredited with exposing and helping to broaden both Jamaican music and Rastafarianism. Marley captured an extensive, diverse and integrated audience. His music was and still symbolizes race, class, protest and political symbols. Marleys practice of Rastafarian movement contributed to art and music and politics. Bob Marley gained the influence because of his music genre which was Reggae. Reggae is unique, joyful and does something to people, different to other music. This is mostly due to the ideas behind it, and he wanted to show that it's not just

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about marijuana and the usual stereotypes of Rastafarians but to show the beauty and significance of listening to Reggae and being Rastafarian. Reggae music consists of several instruments which include drums and other percussion, bass guitars and guitars, keyboards, horns and vocals. There is also extensive variety of additional percussion instruments that are used in Reggae music. Bongos are often used in improvised patterns with African style rhythms but cowbells, shakers and claves also have fundamental roles in reggae music. Also, the bass guitar regularly plays a leading position in reggae and, united, the drum and bass are typically referred to as the "riddim" (Rhythm). The sound of bass in reggae is thick and heavy and the bass line is focused around thickest and heaviest note. From the 1980s onwards synthesizers were used to replace the piano, adopting organ-style sounds in order to achieve the choppy feel typical to this style of music. In comparison to the other instruments and rhythm of reggae, the vocals are a more of crucial aspect of the genre. Reggae music is characterized by syncopationa rhythm style made of regular chops on the off-beat (Musical characteristic). The tempo of reggae is usually felt as slower than the popular Jamaican forms, ska and rocksteady, which preceded it.It is this slower tempo, the guitar/piano offbeats, the emphasis on the third beat, and the use of syncopated, melodic bass lines that differentiates reggae from other music, although other musical styles have incorporated some of these innovations separately(Wikipedia). Possibly the most fundamental part of Reggae is its lyrics, known for their tradition to cover various subjects including love, peace, religion, sexuality, relationships and socializing. Some of the messages sent to the audience via the lyrics are optimistic and upbeat, but they may also be of political significance as the singer attempts to increase the awareness of the audience to such matters. This is achieved by criticizing materialism or enlightening the listener with

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lyrics concerning controversial issues such as the Apartheid or human rights. Reggae songwriters mainly sing about one love and one world, unity and brotherhood of all mankind, the coming together regardless of diverse beliefs, and the hope of a new tomorrow. In addition, the lyrics in Reggae music remind the audience of the singer's demand to gain freedom which in turn addresses the quest for freedom of all people who are oppressed globally. The music, life and philosophy of the late great Robert Nesta Marley has to a great degree been shaped and influenced by the political climate of Jamaica. This political atmosphere has affected his writings tremendously and his writings in turn, affected the Jamaican politics of the day. Marleys music grew out of both severe and constant economic hardship as well as political discontent with the government and its policies; and it is in this context that as well his music must be analyzed and understood. This explores the genesis of Marley and his works as well as an examination of aspects of the political climate in Jamaican after independence in 1962 and later the 1970s and the 1980s. During this period he rose to prominence and his music gave rise to a new form of consciousness among blacks and a defiant rejection of the system of oppression (Rasta-man-vibrations.com). The power of Bob Marley's inspirational prose coupled with a mesmerizing beat will lead further generations in the struggle for the Jamaican people's independence and the formulation of their unique identity. The tradition of the continuously oppressed Jamaican people has found its voice through Bob Marley, his music and the legend he will continue. This tradition and Bob Marley's commitment has surpassed the small Caribbean Island by enticing the world interests in the struggles of the Jamaican people. Marley voiced the Jamaican people's interest through his music. The ability of Marley to spread the message of the Jamaican people across the globe is one of his unique contributions to the movement.

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The reggae music of today and tomorrow has its inspiration in the legendary music and life of Bob Marley. He helped to develop reggae music to the mainstream United States and throughout the world, he helped to further develop the Rastafarian religious movement and he spoke his words of peace and wisdom to all. Marleys contribution to art, music and politics in Jamaica. Music in Jamaica is an escape from the callousness of everyday life, a feel good time and narrating existing issues. This has obviously resonated throughout the world (jis).Bob Marley was a man who had a very important message to make the world through his music and unfortunately he died at the early age of 36 and we did not fully get to appreciate all that he did for the music industry and the listeners of his music. Marley will always be remembered till the end of times as one of the first international singer to have come from the 'Third World'. One can conclude that year after his death he still has an immortal and supernatural presence internationally. He embodied the universal struggle for justice, peace human rights and equality. His lyrics of denunciation, resistance, resilience and comfort and be echoed worldwide. He has become a symbol and can be regarded as founder of Reggae Music

Works Cited Jamaica Information Service.Government of Jamaica.1996.Web.11.May.2012. http://www.jis.gov.jm Bob Marley and Jamaica politics.Rasta-man-vibration.2005.Web 30 Nov.2010.

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http://www.rasta-man-vibration.com/ "Reggae Music And Rastafari (Jamaica)." Reggae Music And Rastafari (Jamaica). 19 May 2003. Web. 11 May 2012. <http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/rasta/reggae.shtml>. BBC News. BBC. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/customs_1.shtml>."Musical Characteristics." Musical Characteristics. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://www.foodlegacy.com/musical-characteristics/>. "Reggae." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 16 May 2012. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Reggae "Reggae." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 May 2012. Web. 16 May 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggae>.