Rastafarian Culture: The Boboshanti

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Nicolette Bryan Field Trip: Boboshanti Camp, Nine Miles Bull Bay Course: Caribbean Culture/ SY36C Lecturer: Orville Beckford Handed In: July 7, 2011 University of the West Indies Mona Description Located nine miles out of Kingston, is the Bobohill, in Nine Miles St. Thomas, home to the Boboshanti – a group of Rastafarians who live as an independent sect of society. The hill comprises of several different wooden structures painted brightly in red gold and green- the colours of the Ethiopian flag. They classify themselves as a government within a government and lead self sufficient lives, only doing enough to provide for basis necessities. There is minimal use of electricity as only bulbs are used for the purpose of lighting in some areas. Male adult Bobos are referred to as Priests, or Prophets depending on their rank while female Bobos are regarded as Empresses, a title which supersedes that of Queen. Worship The Bobo believe and worship the holy trinity- Marcus Garvey, Prince Emanuel, and Sellassie prophet priest and king respectively. Prince Emmanuel was the founder of the movement in the 1950s and is still regarded at the priest of The Bobo today. The Bobo also believe that Selassie is the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Their way of life closely follows the ways of the Old Testament as is evident in their ardent keeping of the Sabbath, their mode of dress and their hygiene practices. The Bobos are strict observers of the Sabbath as soon as it becomes sunset on Friday evenings, absolutely no work is done, no travelling, spending of money of cooking .Worship is held in the conference room. One must first take off all footwear before entering, then proceed to pray on prayer mats provided, separates mats are provided for males and females and similarly, the pews are

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