The Rastafarians: Twentieth Anniversary Edition

This book has been on my list for some time since it seems to be the definitive book about Rastafarians. I didn’t realize that the book was originally published in the late 60s and was the result of his research in the 50s and 60s. I waited until I was in Jamaica to read this as well. Furthermore, I didn’t know that Barrett was a professor at Temple University. I’ve tried to locate some of his other books, but they are hard to find. I was able to find some older research papers from journals, and I’m looking forward to reading more of his work. The Rastafarians was excellent. It’s part ethnography, part historical study of the movement, tracing events that occurred in Jamaica during the Rastafarian backlash in the 50s, prior to their ascendency with the rise in popularity of reggae music and Bob Marley’s stardom. Regardless, I loved reading about this history of this movement, learning about how these beliefs arose in Jamaica. It was really interesting to learn about the resistance to slavery and the Maroons, who battled the colonial presence. I can also see Rastas as a kind of off shoot of the Black power movements in America, finding strength in African roots, as well as advocating for changes to diet and habits (also similar to the Nation of Islam). Barrett’s research and participation in some of the Rasta gatherings was fascinating, especially when, at the time, they were more or less banned and looked down on in Jamaican society. The version I read was an updated version, but I still would have loved to read a more recent version to examine how the perceptions and views of Rastas in Jamaica have changed since the 1970s. I really enjoyed this book, and read Safiya Sinclair’s excellent How to Say Babylon shortly after this, which provided a more interesting view of Rastafarianism, and especially examines the kind of role that Rasta women have (or do not have). Highly recommend this book to learn more about the history of Rastafarianism and the system of its beliefs and practices.

This is the first book I read on Rastafarianism. I chose it because the author is not a Rastafarian, but he is sympathetic to the religion. Consequently, as I had hoped the book was both objective and lacked any persuasive intent. The author situates the Rastafarian religion in the history, culture and politics of Jamaica. I appreciated the author providing these connections because it gave the religion a rootedness in time and place that a work which only covered the doctrines of the religion would not afford. The book covers all the major doctrines of the religion, a history of it principal religious figures, its hopes and aspirations, its cultural contributions, and the various "schools" or "denominations" within the religion that have developed over the years. I particularly enjoyed the author's ability to speak objectively about the religion as well as provide some personal accounts of his interactions with Rastafarians in Jamaica. He made the religion fascinating to me, something I want to study more. I highly recommend this book.

The Rastafarians is an exceptional work that chronicles the development of Rastafarianism in historical and sociological contexts. In his thoroughly researched work, Leonard E. Barrett, Sr. examines several aspects of the faith, from the conditions of British-ruled Jamaica from which it would rise to its political role in the Jamaican elections of the 1970s. The author addresses popular heroes of the faith such as Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley, but he also gives mention to lesser known figures, such as Leonard Howell, an early leader of the movement, and Sam Brown, the first "Rasta politician." Also included is a chapter on beliefs, rituals and symbols that brings clarity to the creed of Rastafarianism, a faith that is often dismissed as little more than dreadlocks, marijuana smoking and reggae music. One of the most intriguing elements of the book is the author's account of Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica in 1966 and how the Rastas received him. Barrett's book is a scholarly work, but it is not loaded down with academic jargon. The Rastafarians is a must read for anyone interested in the movement.

thorough, this gives the reader a great look at Rasta through a Jamaican point of view. the boba man is covered in his earlier days. the binghi is given proper place in rasta. flaws include the lack of identification given to Gad as his picture is there. much attention was given to Sam Brown, is that a good thing? not sure, but this book is to one the pre-cursor as far as an outsider learning about Rasta.

As a friend of Jamaica, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Rastas or Jamaican history. You will definitely know much about the Rastas after reading this one.

Leonard Barrett has created one of the finest peices of literature on the subject of Rastafari. The history of Jamaica's social and economic struggles, religions, music, and people are written beautifully and are intertwined, so that the reader may see and understand the reasons behind the purpose and beliefs of the Rastafari. As a student of world religions, I recommend this book to any person interested in history, social sciences, anthropolgy, music, or any other aspect of life. Hooray! and Thank you Mr. Barrett for a beautifully written piece of world history and life