How has the perception of Rastafari in Jamaica changed since the 1963 command,

“Bring in all Rastas, dead or alive!”

December 2023 - TBD

Through conversations with Rastafari elders, this work explores the historical atrocities against Rastas and how the perception of people with dreadlocks or resembling a Rasta has evolved in Jamaica. Rastafari reggae music icon Bob Marley pioneered Jamaica’s global prominence, which benefits the island’s thriving tourism industry. However, institutional discrimination against Rastafari is deep-rooted into the fabric of Jamaican society, and there is ongoing prejudice against individuals with dreadlocks hairstyles in schools and the workplace.

Rastafari is a way of life that originated in Jamaica and has roots traced back to the Pan-African movement. Followers of the movement are known as Rastas or Rastafarians. They are most recognizable by their dreadlock hairstyle, green, yellow, and red tricolor adornment, and the conquering lion of Judah, a symbol of the Ethiopian monarchy. Marcus Garvey influenced the early beginning of Rastafari. He convinced his followers to look to Africa for the crowning of a Black King who would be the redeemer.

The Rastafari movement rose to prominence following Ras Tafari Makonnen’s crowning as Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia on November 2, 1930, and assumed the titles of King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Former member of Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), Leonard Howell is known as the first Rasta and one of the first preachers of Rastafari. He preached the divinity of Emperor Haile Selassie I, proclaimed descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and the fulfillment of the Biblical prophecy of a Black King in Africa.

Popular among his fellow Rastas and underprivileged youths, Rudolph Franklyn spent his days farming on the property inherited from his father next to the Rose Hall Estates in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In addition to planting food produce, he would burn wood to make coal. His farming and smoke from wood burning would frequently conflict with the Rangers of Rose Hall's property. Their efforts to push Rudolph further away became infertile until they sought the help of the police. Rudolph’s crops would be bulldozed by the police innumerable times for being too close to the property of Rose Hall. During an attempt in October 1961, Rudolph stood his ground, an altercation ensued, and he was shot and left for dead. He was taken to the hospital hours later, where the doctor performed plastic surgery. Upon release from hospitalization, police arrested Rudolph. He was tried and convicted to nine months in prison for growing marijuana on his farm. Rudolph’s health deteriorated while incarcerated due to a lack of access to appropriate medical care. Upon release from prison, he vowed to take revenge on those who caused him to go to jail in a sick state.

On April 11, 1963, Rudolph and five men declared a revolution due to the victimization and discrimination faced by Rastas. Their revolt led to the torch of a gas station in Coral Gardens, Montego Bay, over a property dispute with the owner. Learning of the incident, citizens joined the Police, searching for everyone with dreadlocks or a beard resembling a Rasta. Many Rastas from the area were beaten, taken to the police station, and incarcerated. By the end of the day, at least eight people had been killed, including Rudolph Franklin, two of his accomplices, two police officers, and a white Jamaican. Sir Alexander Bustamante, the first prime minister of Jamaica, and the British colonial government treated Rastas brutally because of their way of life and anti-colonial sentiment. Following the incident and in fear of an uprising, on Good Friday, April 12, 1963, Sir Alexander Bustamante ordered the police and military to “Bring in all Rastas, dead or alive.” Now referred to as “Bad Friday,” hundreds of those who resembled a Rasta were tortured or killed throughout Jamaica. The events leading up to Bad Friday are the Coral Gardens Massacre, Atrocities, or Incident.

Wesley "Ras Peaky" Brown, 1963 Coral Gardens Massacre Survivor

“The Prime Minister came down and said “Lock them up, bring them in, dead or alive! What the jail cannot hold, the cemetery will hold”. They battered us all over. Some of us were bleeding all over. Then they hosed us down. It was one of the most disgraceful experiences I ever had. Some of my bredrens were elderly and didn't live long afterward.”

Verald “Ras Iyah V.” Vassell, Chairman of the Rastafari Nyahbinghi Administrative Council

“Marijuana was used as an avenue to harass and brutalize Rastafari. For example, if the police knew the Nyahbinghi was taking place here for Rastas to assemble and engage in worship, they would have roadblocks because they know Rastas are coming and always have marijuana on them. We knew it was highly discriminatory, used to uphold colonialism and the suppression of the activities of our people towards liberation. It was terrible, and some things were unbelievable. As I remember, the police approached the Nyahbinghi, tied Rasta dreadlocks to their jeep, and pulled them on the road. Vicious things.”

Joseph “Ras Bongo Roach” Roach, Herbalist

“The stigma and barricades are still there. However, there is a better conception now as people are climatized and know the laws. During my time, you couldn’t go to school if you had dreadlocks. We had to lobby for our rights to equal education for Rastafarian children to be allowed in schools. Now, Rastafarian students attend universities.”

Joel “Ras Binghi Pele” Dyke, 3rd Generation Rastafarian

“As soon as we would make a mistake, the teacher would treat us differently. We would hear the name “one room child,” “Ganga smoking parents,” and some things that hurt. Children would call us names such as “centipede in your head, lice in your dreadlocks." And even though the system told us we should wear the rasta hat, the children would pull it off looking for lice and centipedes. It caused us to fight in anger and distracted us from focusing on learning, which the institution was supposed to allow us. It's disturbing.”

Pamela “Sistah Nanny” Rowe-Williams, Secretary of the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society

“Students going to school are questioned about their dreadlocks, and some principals turn them away. If they wear a rasta cap, principals want to know what is under it. If they do not wear a rasta cap, the principals are offended by their Afrocentric look. I’m the secretary of the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolent Society, and every academic year, Parents request us to write letters because some schools demand letters from a Rastafarian organization that indicates that the students are Rastafarian. No other religion or race is treated in this manner in Jamaica. If a Chinese student has long hair, there is no problem with it, but the dreadlock is what the schools have an issue with.”

Lewis “Ras Brown” Brown, Treasurer of the Rastafari Coral Gardens Benevolence Society

“Black people's hair is despised, and this concept is still a stigma. The situation is much better, but it needs to go away. And it can if the government sets up the right policies so Rastafrians with dreadlocks can go to work without issues. Jamaica is where the religion Rastafari originated and is growing worldwide. So, in Jamaica, it should be recognized. The music is also worldwide. It’s not just the love and peace we are spreading. The government needs to understand that they should be doing more for the Rastafari community.”

Pearline “Mama Fiya” Wolfe, 2nd Generation Rastafarian

“We should not let the system drag us down and tear us apart because that is their plan. To use, refuse, and confuse us. To have us in a divided situation so that they can rule us. Divide and rule is their only plan. What affects one affects all. So, if we want to escape it, we must unite. And then I think we will better see how to move on. And set more examples for the younger generation because this generation does not know how to be humble and learn like us. If we are not there to teach them, they will get hurt by the system because they do not have the faith that we have to persist within the tribulation. Most get rebellious, but sometimes, the guidance presses them on with more confidence. So we must ensure we are living to be an example to them, and they will see that they have some foundation they can follow. I think that will keep the future generation grounded.”

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