Jamaican Music
I love to listen to reggae music from the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Throughout its existence, the Caribbean has experienced revolution, social unrest, and roots. From early resistance through escaped slavery to fighting together to stop slavery and the few riots in the past years, Jamaica has faced constant resistances. The effort to make a change created the idea of Rastafarianism mention occasionally in Reggae music. The attitudes, beliefs, and ideologies of the Rastafarians are expressed through reggae music.
Music influences cultures and societies; the case of reggae music is no different. Rastafari is a belief from the Jamaican people following the coronation of Haile Selassie I as an Ethiopian Emperor. In my view reggae, music connects the listeners to the culture in Jamaica. It is the reason people try to emulate the life of Jamaican people when they listen to Jamaican music. The word “ras” refers to the head, the reason why Rastafarians keep dreadlocks to emulate the Ethiopian culture. The wearing of dreadlocks is associated with reggae music. Rastafarians maintains that the Bible requires them to keep dreadlocks. The follows the teachings of Mosses in Leviticus 2:15 "They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in the flesh."
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The major subculture associated with reggae music is the Rastafarianism movement, which started with minority rights group. The culture of a collection of people is defined by the characteristics they possess. The people of the Caribbean Islands use music to display their cultures. Reggae music shows what they eat. Their dressing and the way they respond to matters affecting their social state. Apart from the societal cultures, reggae music is also associated with the religion. Therefore, the music consists majorly of rhythms of Nyabinghi and other forms of African religious music. I enjoy the drumbeats in the songs and the rhythms played by the musicians. Famous Rastafarians such as Bob Marley raised religious and cultural awareness through reggae music. They respect their religion and cause reggae fans to behave in the same way. For instance, most reggae fans keep dreadlocks, which show that reggae music influences them.
Rastafarians sing deeply religious songs and the social ills afflicting the society. Bob Marley states in his songs that, “We are sick and tired of your ism-schism game, to die and go to heaven in Jesus' name. We know and understand Almighty God is a living man.” He does not rebuff Christianity as a whole, but he questions the very acts of some Christians. The lyrics and more expand the teachings of Rastafarians. He also re-stated the Rastafarian teaching on the suppression of the black people by the whites. In his songs, he believes that Haile Selassie is the Living God, who will redeem the Rastafarian community.
In conclusion, the Rastafarian ideologies in reggae music are common in the Caribbean. Reggae music acts as a tool to spread the culture and ideologies of the people of Caribbean Island. Jamaican communities use reggae songs to pass the message to their oppressors. They believe that Haile Selassie is their God and will save them from bondage. He is a symbol of freedom to the reggae musician. The music spreads the idea of freedom from oppression and true Rastafarian religion. Reggae music has a great influence on the listeners. I love the culture of the Jamaican people and other parts of the Caribbean Islands. The music has a combination of colors and rhythms that listeners can identify with. Major reggae singers such as Bob Marley have played a great role in spreading the reggae ideology.
