Before I started this class I simply assumed that the Rastafarian culture was flourishing. For example I see Bob Marley tee shirts all over Seattle, dreadlocks are a prominent hairstyle, I simply assumed that if Rasta culture can make it all the way to Seattle it must be popular in Jamaica. I realize that now that Rastafari has become more mainstream culture and people adopt it because it looks cool, not because they are aware of the actual values behind the culture. The fact that few people understand the culture yet many adopt its symbols seems very contradictory to Rasta culture, they are supposed to be opposed to mainstream oppression. This made me wonder if Rastafari will continue to exist, or will they merge into a new group like the Burru merged into Rastafarian culture?

I and I believe that the Rastafarian culture will remain intact for generations to come, because they are a well-documented culture. There is enough known about Rasta’s to preserve the culture through writings. The culture is in no danger of being lost because many of their teachings still exist in scripture and music. As long as this form of media exists the culture can be preserved and if a favorable social environment rises again it could reemerge. Barrington mentioned how religions ebb and flow, I agree with him and I think that Rastafarian culture is simply experiencing an ebb, but the preservation of culture through media will allow it to flow again when conducive social pressures arise.

Rastafarian’s as a culture still have things to fight for in Jamaica. Jamaica is clearly no Zion and there is plenty of poverty and hardship. Rastafarian culture offers a spiritual way to deal with this hardship; Rasta’s are still oppressed by poverty and laws of Babylon. Recently they fought the Jamaican government for the decriminalization of Marijuana. The battle over decriminalization signifies that there are still reasons for the Rasta culture. Rastafarian’s still face battles to fight and oppression to overcome, which is why they will not disappear.

The militancy in Rastafarian culture may be gone, or it may be ebbing but this does not mean they will disappear. The militancy, which Rastafarianism was founded on, was primarily due to colonialism that hasn’t existed in Jamaica in the new generations lifetime. Yet, there are still people in the younger generations who are Rasta’s. Militancy may have shifted, but this does not mean the culture is in danger.

Rasta people may be undergoing some social changes but this is no indication their culture will disappear. Rasta’s have a well-documented culture, they still have things to fight for, and although beliefs are shifting this does not mean that their culture is disappearing. I think that the rising educated class of Rasta’s has a chance of unifying the religion in a way that does not threaten their central belief of rejecting Babylon society. The rejection of Babylon is so ingrained in Rasta culture that it will not disappear. I think this video illustrates that the rejection of Babylon is still strong, as is Rasta culture. 

                                                For lyrics click here.