The Boboshanti

In Geertz definition of religion he talks about a system of symbols. These systems of symbols help to define and represent that particular religion. The video “Documental Rastafari - La Orden Boboshanti” talks about one particular Rastafarian society. The Boboshanti live in the mountains in Jamaica, and are considered to most religious compared to other Rastafarians. Some of the symbols portrayed in the video are:
-The color of the houses on the mountain, are mainly red, green, yellow, black and white. Colors such as red, yellow, and green are the colors of the Rastafarian flag. The color holds an important significance to that belief system.
- These individuals also build their own houses on the mountain.
- The clothes that certain individuals wear. In terms of men: some wear a long black and white robe. Attached to the front of their robe is a letter R, in red. The female, particularly “The Mother” is dressed in a red robe ad head piece similar to that of a Catholic nun.
-The men also wear red turbans that are wrapped in the shape of a crown.
-Dreadlocks is also another cultural distinction.
- There is also hand painted signs of verses from the Bible. Majority of the signs shown have a green background.
- Another symbol is the fire that they keep burning at the top of the mountain.

Bob Marley portrayed Rastafarism through is music. His songs such as Exodus, I Shot the Sheriff, and Redemption Song all depict his beliefs and feeling and compassion for Rastafarism. Marley’s songs told us about what they believed, however I tried to picture the way in which they lived through his music. The Boboshanti are a very isolated group, they have a routine that everyone lives by. The Boboshanti lifestyle is very different than that of Marley’s. The Boboshanti seem more geared towards probably going to Ethiopia.