Abstract
In 1991, a group of Rastafarians in the village of Bullet Tree Falls, Belize, started out adhering to the principles of piety and protest that characterized the Rastafarians when began in Jamaica in the 1930s. After being Rastafarian for several years, village adherents gravitated to new values and lifestyles, not the protest and piety that kicked off the movement in Jamaica and Belize. The beginnings resembled a revitalization movement, an attempt at making a more satisfying culture. Yet over time, individual Rastafarians in Bullet Tree Falls sought material advantages, and the Rastafarians were flattered by the attention of tourists and others. Changes in the Rastafarians’ orientation and practices are examined as a consequence of global trends and local cultural influences. The article examines how international and local trends dissolved a revitalization movement.
Highlights
This article reports on one aspect of my ethnographic research on the effects of global trends in the village of Bullet Tree Falls in Belize
Bob Marley was featured in the Rolling Stone magazine, appearing on three magazine covers for the American audience and on one cover for the French, Spanish, and Portuguese editions
The overall effect lent an image of openness and flexibility in dealing with the outside world. These Rastafarians were a connection to visiting tourists, providing contact and friendship with those North Americans and Europeans who sought out locals who subscribed to values of openness, an appreciation for alternative and countercultural values, and with a readiness to share marijuana
Summary
I examined four global trends that have sought to change this village since 1960, at time when Belizeans were focused on decolonization and independence from England These trends included a cooperative movement, the development of cultural heritage tourism, becoming Evangelical, and the adoption of Rastafarianism. Eight cooperatives failed after having started several years previously, and the movement devolved into a small group of diehards committed to a cooperative organic farming project Another trend, cultural heritage tourism, had a record of significant development of tourism in Belize, but not in Bullet Tree Falls. The Rastafarians of Jamaica had started out as what will can be described as an “old social movement”, focused on political and economic change—an effort to change the class structure in Jamaica.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
