Research: History of reggae

ROOTS, REGGAE, REBELLION

History behind the rastafarian flag 

The symbol of the lion is connected to Haile Selassie, an emperor of of Ethiopia  which symbolise 

who the Rastafarians worship as they leader, Rastafarians believe that Selassie’s heredity can be traced back to the Tribe of Judah, which itself used the lion as a symbol that's why the  Rastafari's refer to him as the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

The Lion of Judah was represented on the flag of Ethiopia from 1897 to 1974. Due to its association with Selassie, it continues to be an important symbol alongside members of the Rastafari movement. 

The current Rastafarian flag happens to be the old  Ethiopian flag, that was used from 1897 to 1974, on which the symbol of the Lion of Judah proudly appears. This version of the Ethiopian flag is red, gold, green, and sometimes black, with the symbol of a crowned lion.

·        The color red is represented of the blood spilt in the name of freedom throughout Jamaica, particularly of slaves brought over during the overseas period.

·     Green stands for Jamaica's  vegetation, which holds an important place in the practice of the religion. This is especially true of the marijuana plant which rastafarians believe is referred to in the bible as the tree of life. They often smoke marijuana from a pipe during religious ceremonies and always say a prayer before smoking. They believe it gives them wisdom and can bring them closer to Jah (God) through meditation. 

·         Gold symbolizes the wealth, minerals,as well as hope and faith.

·         Black, which is sometimes found on the flag, represents the color of African skin.

 In rastafari culture women are seen as queen's by their husbands. Rastafari women mainly stay home looking after their kids. Women must not wear makeup, dress in promiscuous clothing, or use chemicals in their hair so that their natural beauty can shine through. I feel this is an important message to portray to all that beauty comes from within and that women should not be afraid to show their true beauty. 

History of reggae music 

1970's Roots - Political, freedom, Jamaican civil war UK cultural lifeline, a way of life, rebellion

1970s - Bob Marley & the Wailers 

AKLA- poet & music artist

Sly (drummer) & Robby (base player) - influence on reggae

Concasi, drummer - invented beats that became reggae

Sub genres

Jamaican folk music
Mento 
Ska -Early 1960's -was the most popular music between caribbean people, but not accepted in the the mainstream industry.
Late 1960's - Rock steady
Calipso
Roots reggae
Lovers rock
Dancehall
Dub
The unique jamaican sound system
  1966 - Hailey selassie  visited Jamaica and was greeted by 10,000 people, he was seen as a God to the rastafarian community.
 After the visit, music became popular. The established recording studio's wouldn't play reggae, but musicians began to open their own cheap studios like "studio 17". 

Blues - was dances in uk, which were danced to reggae music. blues was time were people really started to develop a love for reggae music, which help the growth of reggae in the uk.
1976- Jamaican divide, violence, state of emergency. economic laws, civil wars which caused over 200 deaths, the revolution, national debt.

In Jamaica, artist began to reflect on what was happening and put their thoughts and feelings into music, because music was their only way of expressing themselves and connecting with other jamaicans without getting abused by police or anyone by that matter. People listened to the music rather than politicians. A concert was arranged by the prime minister of Jamaica, the day of the concert Bob Marley and his family were attacked by gun men. 

1980's - The punk/peacemakers developed a understanding of the reggae/ rastafari culture- this increased the knowledge of  the rastafarian community and their music.

The one love concert in Jamaica was one greatest moment in jamaican history when bob marley brought two prime ministers that were at war on stage and made them hold hands- this might not seem that much a big idea, but not for the jamaican community it showed that there was still a sense for unity and hope.

1981- Bob marley passed away.
   

History of  rastafari

1930's - Rastafari slavery/ rebellion ( 400 years slavery)
1940's - Pinnacle 
1950's - Howle arrested for being a rebel and rata's returned to trenchtown   
1962's -  Independence of Jamaica, people were poor and some converted to rastafarianism .Who were being arrested by police and the government.
1980's - The punk/peacemakers developed a understanding of the reggae/ rastafari culture- this increased the interest in reggae music.