A map of the nine Rastafari sovereign states across Jamaica hangs proudly near the entrance of the Rastafari Indigenous Village. The Rastafari community has gone through a lot in the past century. In 1958, British police engaged in several arrests and evictions of Rastafarians, most of which on grounds of possession of cannabis, or marijuana, a sacred plant which the Rastafari use regularly. At the time, reports of alleged violence in the media, and public discourse, which vilified the so called "anti-social" aspects of the Rastafari lifestyle, meant that public opinion largely sided with the police.
From April 11-13, 1963, The Coral Gardens incident, also known as the Coral Gardens atrocities, Coral Gardens massacre, Coral Gardens riot, and Bad Friday, took place. Jamaican police and military forces detained Rastafarians, killing and torturing many across Jamaica. Exact numbers are not available, but estimates place the number of detained individuals "as high as 150".
These traumatic incidents, and the public’s generally negative opinion towards them, have led the Rastafari community to retreat to settlements like this one, which Edward founded in 2007.
- Filename
- The Rastafari sovereign states
- Copyright
- Lensational Photography
- Image Size
- 6000x4000 / 16.8MB
