From Garvey to Marley: Rastafari Theology

The History of African American Religions

by Noel Leo Erskine

This history of the theology and rituals of Rastafarianism features accents of the reggae rhythms of Bob Marley and the teachings and philosophy of Marcus Garvey, the black nationalist who motivated many of his fellow Jamaicans to embrace their African ancestral roots. Written by a trained theologian who was raised in the Jamaican village in which the Rastafarian faith originated, the book offers both a serious inquiry into the movement and the perspective of an insider in conversation with elders of the faith who still live in the village.            Marley, who died in 1981, is the best known and one of the most articulate exponents of the themes of race consciousness that provide the core of Rasta hermeneutics. The poet and musician also made the faith appealing to the Jamaican middle class, which had turned away from the "Back to Africa" message that Garvey delivered in the 1930s.            Noel Leo Erskine isolates and defines the main tenets of Rastafarianism, which emerged toward the end of the 20th century as a way of life and as a new international religion. He includes biographical descriptions of the key players in the development of Rastafari theology, provides details of its organization and ethos, and discusses the role of women in the religion. He also discusses the significance of Ethiopia to the faith; practitioners view that country both as their homeland and as heaven on earth. Examining the religion's relationship to Christianity, Erskine relates the Rastas to 19th-century Native Baptist and Revivalist traditions on the island and to the black theology movement in the United States. The Rastas see the European and North American churches as representatives of an oppressive colonial class, he writes. The Rastafarian name for God--"Jah"--is derived from Yahveh, the God of the Hebrews, and members of the faith connect their struggle for dignity and solidarity in Jamaican society with the struggle of the oppressed Israelites. "Jah" and not the Bible is the decisive source of morality and truth for the Rastas.            Clearly written, sympathetic, and at times critical, the book will be important in the fields of African, African American, and Caribbean studies, especially to the cultural and religious dimensions in each discipline.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Hogfather]

The limits and successes of Noel Leo Erskine's book From Garvey to Marley can be found in the subtitle: Rastafari Theology. Erskine does a terrific job of outlining what Rastafari is, what Rastas believe, and the development of the religion. As someone who only knew about the religion vaguely beforehand, this book was enormously helpful in allowing me to understand what Rastas believe and the psychological underpinnings of their belief system. Unfortunately, there are some limits in Erskine's book that left me asking questions. Erskine never describes in much detail the events of twentieth century Jamaica in which Rastafari came up. He also never does much to explain what the alternatives in Jamaica are, particularly secular alternatives. As a result, I never really got a handle on what the political situation in Jamaica was that Rastas were reacting to. It was treated vaguely, as though it was largely unimportant to the development of the religion and its popularity. I'm grateful that this book taught me about things which I didn't previously know, but feel that I haven't been fully illuminated on the subject and have been left with some pretty basic questions.

[Jack]

I am glad this illuminating book exists. We need more like it. The lower rating is only for how repetitive the book is--even repeating whole paragraphs at times.

[Wynn]

I enjoyed the first four chapters, but dropped off as the book progressed. Overall, I am pleased to have found this book and I would recommend it along with other standard text on the topic. I particularly appreciated the balance of academic writing and the authors personal experience with Rastafari. I was disappointed with the reggae and Rastafari chapter because it focused so heavily on Bob at the exclusion of many more reggae greats who have carried the message forward. Big ups Erskine!

[Gerhard Venter]

Interesting.