Total change cannot happen overnight, but gradually change is occurring for the better.

I wouldn’t say that the Rastafari movement diminishes the ancient Black African traditions.

It is important to take into consideration the context is which the Rastafari movement developed in Jamaica. Jamaica in those days was (and still is) very racist, and the psyche of the African man was under severe bombardment. There was no pan African organizations, or access to many books, no internet access or other elements of technology. It was against this backdrop that Rastas emphasized the need for pride in being African and in African culture. This was a step in the opposite direction to which the whole society was going. It was a threat to the societal order and status quo. The bible was about the only book that was readily available to the masses, and they used stories and concepts and refashioned them somewhat to suit the things they were experiencing. This is no different from what happened in the wider Caribbean, with the Orishas , Shouter Baptists in Trinidad and Santeria in other countries that had to merge with Christianity the religion of the oppressors to survive. in slavery and post slavery days because the traditional African religions were banned, they often disguised it in Christian practices.

The barriers erected against the self-expression of African were huge and they did the best with what they had. So it is in that context that I can't fault them. The opportunities that are available now were not available then. Early Rastas stood up against the system while many others were assimilated totally with no self concept or identity whatsoever. The principles and culture that were passed down inspite of slavery and other obstacles gave rise to the powerful expression of Rasta.

Now in the so called technology age, where information is more readily available (despite the digital divide), old ideas in every sphere are being challenged. It must be remembered that Christianity and the Bible originated from the teachings and concepts of ancient Africans, as proven by Yosef Ben Jochannan, John Jackson, Gerald Massey, and others. The story of the garden of Eden and the snake, the Christ concept among many others come from the wisdom of our ancestors that existed thousands of years before Christianity or the biblical Jesus. These fragments are out of context and can rarely be understood properly.

Furthermore the patriarchal nature among other blatant contractions, go against the essence of core African principles. So as far as i am concerned the bible is not necessary at all to a person’s development. I know of no one who has attained God-consciousness by reading the bible. People however are free to do as they please and most often they just acting on what they know and what has been indoctrinated in them by everyone they know. The whole structure of society goes against a person discovering himself or herself, by contributing to the ignorance of many. Thus the issues that those who call themselves Rastas need to address are no different from those that people in the wider society need to address if they are to move in harmony with the Universal essence.

I see the Rastafarian in this time as an Obeah-man/woman, tapping within and developing consciousness, moral conduct and integrity.

Tyehimba