Rastafari : from outcasts to culture bearers /

Rastafari's origins lie in the resentment and resistance to slavery and colonial plantation experiences in Jamaica. Black consciousness was raised and shaped by external events, such as Marcus Garvey's repatriation movement and Haile Selassie's ascendance in Ethiopia. Rather than presenting simply a brief history of Rastafarianism, Edmonds (formerly, sociology, Barnard) provides a sociological analysis of a charismatic resistance movement that became institutionalized in Jamaican society. Edmonds's analysis uses Max Weber's theory and concepts, but significantly modifies Weber's notion of "routinization." With Rastafari, routinization has not taken the predicted form of rational-legal bureaucratic structures. It is, instead, a "cultural formation" in which Rastafarian symbols, music, and even some of the ideology have become embedded in Jamaican culture. Cooptation and "commodification" of Rastafari are evident in Jamaica's "culture tourism." But this syncretism did not occur because a formal Rastafari organization gained political power and influence. The social structure of Rastafari is more web-like, involving groups, quasi-groups, and individuals, who are connected through networks. This reticulate structure reinforces and is sustained by the unifying strength of the Rastafarian ideological/symbolic worldview. This small book is thorough in its analysis, well documented, and very well written. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals/practitioners. R. L. Herrick emeritus, Westmar University