The influence of ‘Rastafarianism’ on the Bahamas by Jamaica is uniquely ingrained in the moral and spiritual fiber of the Bahamian culture.
The impact of this universal international religious phenomenon has contributed to positive and negative realities. Although the black, gold and aquamarine flag of The Bahamas is respected the red, gold and green flag which identifies the ‘Rastafarian’ movement is prevalent and its symbolism is knowledgeable to many Bahamians. The flag carries the Lion of Judah symbol with its color scheme deriving from the old Ethiopian flag. The red symbolizes the blood of black people that were shed as a result of enslavement. The gold symbolizes the wealth of the African treasured legacy and the green represents the homeland with is vast forest and vegetation. These colors became embedded into the dress code in the 70’s, especially in tams and t-shirts. ‘Rastafarian’ custom-made jewelry also became adherent in the dress code as badges with African symbols identified the black heritage movement. This would open up a market of an art enterprise that didn’t establish large retail stores but more individual salesmanship from the ‘Rasta man’ himself. These ‘foot soldiers’ (Rasta disciples) engaged in small marketable products, that they felt didn’t infringe upon other sales markets, which in some cases were seen by ‘Rastafari’, as components of ‘Babylon System’. Products such as peanuts, fruits, badges, posters, cassette tapes, bracelets, tams and t-shirts were front line items. ‘Babylon System’ played a pertinent role in the Rastafarian Ideology which interpreted, spells out a worldly or ungodly network. The other small percentages of Rasta’s worked other societal occupations where their ideology was accepted.
The main impact of this influence by Jamaicans on the presentation of ‘Rastafarianism’ was the consciousness that heightened black awareness. The untold history that may have been exempt from the Colonial type school system in the 70’s was being researched by Bahamians who had an interest in ‘Rastafarianism’. Christopher Columbus ‘the discoverer’ would now be pointed out to be known as Christopher Columbus ‘the invader’. ‘How could he have discovered a place that was founded and established by the ‘Lucayans’ who he and his European counterparts extinguished off the face of the globe, the ‘Rastaman’ would argue. Black history was now being investigated by a small populace of black men who searched for the history of their past. The research of history was meaningful but what obscured its relevance was the level of the literacy of some of the followers. Many would have gathered their historical evidence from history lessons and books, while others went on hearsay from unknowledgeable persons. In the 70’s the illiteracy rate was extremely high as the main weapon of the slave masters was to ensure that writing and reading for slaves was an illegal act, that constituted punishment. The famous quote of the Jamaican born, Marcus Garvey (17 August 1887-10 June 1940) Political leader, journalist, publisher, activist, and orator, recognized for establishing the Rastafarian movement states: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. Garvey became the inspirational voice that built the foundation of the Rastafarian movement.
He inspired the newly-established Jamaican Reggae (Jamaican music created in 1930) artists who in turn inspired international listener including Bahamians.
Cross culture has its merits and also its drawbacks. Interracial marriages with Bahamians and Jamaicans, Bahamians schooling at Universities, traveling to Jamaica and Jamaican migration has no doubt caused a proliferation of Rastafarianism. Media would have played a major role in cementing this proliferation with the music genre being the chief vehicle.
Bob Marley, the Jamaican prophetic lyricist was not the foundational builder who sparked the fusion of ‘Rastafari’ in The Bahamas, but after he stormed throughout Europe and made a name for himself he would be the architect who would put the roof on a building that would withstand the criticism of a movement that gained notoriety. In the Bahamas, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Big Youth, Dennis Brown, U-Roy, Burning Spear were some of the Reggae vocalist who infused a climate of black consciousness that germinated the ‘Rastafarianism’ movement in the late 70’s. Embedded in the music were the historical quotes that informed and inspired the listeners to seek out their past. The African beat that echoed a rhythm of creativity was the source that exerted a redemptive yearning that evoked the black heritage.
Bob Marley would become the reggae artist who competitively broke into the musical genre and became recognized as a prophetic spiritual voice. His lyrics did not only promote ‘Rastafari’ but the common listeners soon were quoting and reciting his lyrics that in many cases brought a brand new enlightenment to the musical industry.
From his Redemption Song which was a reputable hit, the lyrics read, ‘Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds’, were the kind of intuitive lines that would influence and set the stage for a broken people to search for the redemptive dream that ‘Rastafarians’ had aspired. The old school type vocalist, like Peter Tosh, Big Youth, U-Roy had paved the way for a Marley who would become anchor in the relay of a musical marathon of religious and historical chanting.
The influence of Rastafari made an impact on the Bahamian diet which if followed consistently could reap healthy rewards. Most Rasta’s are vegetarians who either didn’t eat meat or refrained from pork and shell animals. The food choice was called ‘Ital’ and encouraged natural organic vegetable choices like home grown bread-fruit, yam, eddoes, cassava etc. Canned food was considered to have additives that harmed one physically but as the movement evolved ‘Rastas’ seemed to take their health consciousness a little less seriously.
Wearing dreadlock (long wads of meshed hair) which is significant with the Rastafarian culture, was considered to be a ‘holy consecration’ as it symbolized a lion’s mane which established ‘authority’. The locks represented a structured temple (the body was considered to be like a Holy temple).
The Rastaman claimed that in the Book of Leviticus the Holy Bible forbids cutting one’s hair. Dreadlocks were seen in the seventies as a rebellious style and were compared to the stigmatized hair style like the hippies wore in the 60’s. There was an overwhelming prejudice against dreadlocks in the 70’s that at times fostered bad relationships in accepting the movement as respectable. The bad apples who wore dreadlocks as a fad and not as a sacred consecration perpetuated the idea that all the apples were the same in makeup. This was very far from the truth. Although the ideology by Jamaicans was influential the masses still seemed to distrust ‘Rastafarianism’ and didn’t accept its principles. The successful progression of the ideology in many ways became stifled. Rastafarianism has stayed the course but its level of growth has somewhat diminished.
The ritual of smoking of cannabis was another ideological casualty that Rasta’s indulged in that had a hard time fitting in the framework of Bahamian society in the 70’s. Smoking weed was highly rejected, especially as it was a known illegal substance according to the law. The smoking of this illegal substance would remain the blemished stain that became a distraction affecting the message of the movement.
According to the Rasta’s argument marijuana was significant as the herbs of the land was good as it was noted in the Book of Genesis and a blessing to Jah’s (Jehovah) creation. The other argument was that the Rastaman felt that the means to refrain marijuana from becoming legal was the fact that the governments of the world could not tax herb (weed) trees that could be grown on any citizen’s property for usage. Marijuana in this modern era has become registered as a pharmaceutical item of great benefits.
The cannabis debate has made progressive positive strides but is still seen in a negative light by the masses. The misuse of marijuana due to the politics that disregards the scientific evidence of its proper usage continues to hamper successful progression.
Jamaican’s ability to influence Bahamians on the induction of ‘Rastafarianism’ infuses a dynamic collaborative Caribbean style affiliation that fosters unification. ‘Rastafarianism’ evolved out of the history of a trampled people but its essence has created a way of life that history may in turn not repeat itself.
The Rastafarian religion is based on one’s love for God, self and others. Humility and compassion are emphasized as the cornerstone.
It may in some ways seem to be prejudice against white people but its teachings spell out clearly that it is white superiority that it challenges. It seemed to have come to the rescue of the black man when his back was against the wall, from the side effect of emancipation. If we were to gather ourselves, historically, morally, and spiritually we would come to realize that ‘Rastafaris’ significance serves to be a valuable lesson for the ages.