Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

[sistacaf]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

that the place is Jamaican-owned lends credence to the notion that this might be a genuine attempt to educate people about (at least one branch of) rasta culture, spirituality, and lifestyle, as well as fill a void that interests visitors - and as was mentioned - which someone else might step in to fill if local people do not.

i think that unless one actually goes there to see, hear, and experience what is being delivered, there's no way to know the motivation of the owners or residents, or understand the vibes of the place. certainly the possibility of exploitation exists, but then again, their motives and intentions might actually be genuinely seeking to educate while at same time provide a creative way to source income for otherwise unemployed people, who incidentally might prefer participating in this type of venture over having to hide ones loxx to work in a hotel, having to bow & scrape to tourists.

whether or not it IS actually exploitive, or- educational and relatively accurate cultural represenatation, wholly depends upon the motivations of the people involved.

we could debate it all day but until we go there and see for self, there's no way to know whether the vibes are genuinly seeking to inform and educate, or whether it's exploitive tourist poppyshow for profit.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Humano</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I'm thinking: if we settle the ownership question (they are Jamaicans, not the wicked foreigners), now shall we move on to the question of &quot;exploitation?&quot; If this is true, it seems the good doctor did &quot;wager&quot; and &quot;venture&quot; wrong.</div></div>

Despite appearances, I actually see nothing wrong with term exploiting and exploiting means of making bank off something that you were never part of from the get go (as in the Rastafarian Religion/Culture).

Say you moved to Boston recently. You have come to discover that St. Paddy Day in Boston a massive event and what more it is profitable, folks can make booku$ promoting and vending during that period.

You convert your residence into a yearlong St. Paddy-Day-In-Boston-Down-Memory-Lane venue. So now you are creating a new venture out of what was at best a weeklong celebration, wouldn't you feel that your exploitation of an event that you were never a part of is just as legitimate as someone who was born and bred in Boston?

[jah_yout]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sistacaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">that the place is Jamaican-owned lends credence to the notion that this might be a genuine attempt to educate people about (at least one branch of) rasta culture, spirituality, and lifestyle, as well as fill a void that interests visitors - and as was mentioned - which someone else might step in to fill if local people do not.

i think that unless one actually goes there to see, hear, and experience what is being delivered, there's no way to know the motivation of the owners or residents, or understand the vibes of the place. certainly the possibility of exploitation exists, but then again, their motives and intentions might actually be genuinely seeking to educate while at same time provide a creative way to source income for otherwise unemployed people, who incidentally might prefer participating in this type of venture over having to hide ones loxx to work in a hotel, having to bow &amp; scrape to tourists.

whether or not it IS actually exploitive, or- educational and relatively accurate cultural represenatation, wholly depends upon the motivations of the people involved.

we could debate it all day but until we go there and see for self, there's no way to know whether the vibes are genuinly seeking to inform and educate, or whether it's exploitive tourist poppyshow for profit. </div></div>


you have a point even though it is really weird...
quotes like this make me cringe:

&quot;<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">While the village stands on the belief of Rastafarian<span style="font-weight: bold">ism</span>, everything here is all things Jamaican and we are proud to promote the culture of the island</div></div>

the 'ism' thing is a killer;
on the face of it looks like a mockery, but i have to hold judgement unless i actually visit the place...
it's a fine line between culture and commercialism...
it's a part of the larger problem of jamaica becoming a theme park for foreigners and i do hope the direction the country has been going in will change...when we finish selling our soul for tourists dollars all we will have left is an empty shell of ourselves...
but i can't hate on a guy trying to eat if it's not giving a bad image to my people;
they are gonna get an image one way or another...whether thru movies like 'marked for death' or 'predator 2' or through commercials or whatever people around the world each have their own (often incorrect) view of what rasta is;
i guess this 'village' is able to sell the image of an 'indegenous' culture;
there is still plenty of real rasta in j-a for those who want to see and there will always be people growing locks for commercial benefit because they know it fascinates the world (like the so-called renta dread issue);
god will judge in the end

[sistacaf]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> i have to hold judgement unless i actually visit the place...it's a fine line between culture and commercialism...</div></div>

right. exactly. same thing i was sayin - nobody can know which it is, until they feel the vibes of the place for themself.

not sure what's 'weird' about that point?

[blugiant]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

fiyah fii bunn

de rastas wey troo too rastafarism affii gitt upp tand upp ann chant dunn babylon sinnting

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jah_yout</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it's a part of the larger problem of jamaica becoming a theme park for foreigners and i do....</div></div>

LOL...I find it funny every time I see arguments such as this especially coming from Jamaicans living in foreign country, some of their own volition.
No, Jamaica is not becoming a theme park for foreigners and we are not strangers in our own land. Tourism is just one of a number of business opportunities. As to Jamaicans becoming strangers in our own land, Jamaicans leave Jamaica in droves every year, so we don't have the standing to complain too hard about that.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

Three interesting articles in today's Sunday Gleaner, which is relevant to the discussion on this Rasta Yard.
They give a little eye on what some Jamaicans consider to be bad and exploitive, what Jamaicans think of others in the business past and present and finally what vibes some our neighbours is getting about us.

[LiteBlonde]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TSmall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For what it's worth.

I have a Jamaican friend living in Mo Bay. She told me a couple of weeks ago that she went to visit this place, so I called her last night to find out more about it.

It is owned by a Jamaican family, man and woman in their 60s. They live in Jamaica but not on the property.

The cost to get in was $300 J.

Ital food and other things were available to buy.

There were several speakers there, speaking on culture, rastafari, roots medicine and this lifestyle. She told me that many were highly educated men who had come from other places to speak.

Not all the people there wear the burlap clothes. Some do but not all.

The village is very well kept and well organized.

She felt it was well worth the $300 and time.

She also mentioned that people seemed happy and cool about living there. She reasoned at depth with some of the women there and got to know them and have contact phone numbers for them.

Ok, now for me, these are my ideas. Many people come to Jamaica and are intrigued by the Rasta fari culture. I see it everyday that I am in contact with tourists. I remember people asking me years ago when I came to visit and went home and showed them pictures of things I've done and places I've been. They wanted to know how to meet these people. What is a Rasta like, what's the difference between Renta and Rasta and a whole heap more questions. I made mention to my husband that I knew it would work to put together a place where tourists could come, cook some food outside, reason under the stars, burn some challis, the whole thing. People would want to have that experience. The do want to touch that part of this culture. I still take visitors on tours sometimes, and the number one favorite westmoreland place for me to take them is to Roaring River. My Rasta friends there, cook Ital (real Ital) food for them, serve it to them in calabash, they pick and drink jelly coconut and burn spliff or challis with them, walk around to see the rivers and bush and learn bout the medicinal factors and then go swim in the cave. All this is shown to them by Rastas and dem love it bad. Everyone tells me it's the best thing they did in Jamaica.

So if it is a misrepresentation of true Rasta culture (and that is what??? How many different tribes and lifestyles, from Bobo to 12 Tribes??) people are hungry for this experience and many people would not venture into some communities like I would to meet people. This is a very safe way for that to happen.

I don't bash it. Not at all. I wouldn't go there because I have no need, I have plenty of Rasta friends living in bush as well as nice homes. Me alrite. </div></div>

***Sigh***

I wish I had one of those <span style="font-weight: bold">JIT</span> Just-In-Time friends. Always on time with alllllll the information in support of... Reminds me of one of those poems I heard Maya Angelo read long time ago, something about <span style="font-weight: bold">Lies told on the Slave Ships</span>.

Anyhoo, people free to believe what them want to, even if it is blatantly unbeweaveable.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DotCom</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TSmall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For what it's worth.

I have a Jamaican friend living in Mo Bay. She told me a couple of weeks ago that she went to visit this place, so I called her last night to find out more about it.

It is owned by a Jamaican family, man and woman in their 60s. They live in Jamaica but not on the property.

The cost to get in was $300 J.

Ital food and other things were available to buy.

There were several speakers there, speaking on culture, rastafari, roots medicine and this lifestyle. She told me that many were highly educated men who had come from other places to speak.

Not all the people there wear the burlap clothes. Some do but not all.

The village is very well kept and well organized.

She felt it was well worth the $300 and time.

She also mentioned that people seemed happy and cool about living there. She reasoned at depth with some of the women there and got to know them and have contact phone numbers for them.

Ok, now for me, these are my ideas. Many people come to Jamaica and are intrigued by the Rasta fari culture. I see it everyday that I am in contact with tourists. I remember people asking me years ago when I came to visit and went home and showed them pictures of things I've done and places I've been. They wanted to know how to meet these people. What is a Rasta like, what's the difference between Renta and Rasta and a whole heap more questions. I made mention to my husband that I knew it would work to put together a place where tourists could come, cook some food outside, reason under the stars, burn some challis, the whole thing. People would want to have that experience. The do want to touch that part of this culture. I still take visitors on tours sometimes, and the number one favorite westmoreland place for me to take them is to Roaring River. My Rasta friends there, cook Ital (real Ital) food for them, serve it to them in calabash, they pick and drink jelly coconut and burn spliff or challis with them, walk around to see the rivers and bush and learn bout the medicinal factors and then go swim in the cave. All this is shown to them by Rastas and dem love it bad. Everyone tells me it's the best thing they did in Jamaica.

So if it is a misrepresentation of true Rasta culture (and that is what??? How many different tribes and lifestyles, from Bobo to 12 Tribes??) people are hungry for this experience and many people would not venture into some communities like I would to meet people. This is a very safe way for that to happen.

I don't bash it. Not at all. I wouldn't go there because I have no need, I have plenty of Rasta friends living in bush as well as nice homes. Me alrite. </div></div>

***Sigh***

I wish I had one of those <span style="font-weight: bold">JIT</span> Just-In-Time friends. Always on time with alllllll the information in support of... Reminds me of one of those poems I heard Maya Angelo read long time ago, something about <span style="font-weight: bold">Lies told on the Slave Ships</span>.

Anyhoo, people free to believe what them want to, even if it is blatantly unbeweaveable. </div></div> Since I know jamaica as much as I do. i still believe that the Jamaicans are fronting. Jamaicans are not Americans. They wil keepo the secret.

[Nylah]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell


I understand everyone's arguments to and against the village.
If this is what the ppl want and they want to pay money for it, so be it.

My point is that how these Jamaicans or non-Jamaicans depending on your POV, were willing to cut the throats of fellow Jamaicans in order to get what they wanted established.
There is much irony in that it is promoted as a representation of Jamaican life.

If my experience with the process was different prehaps I would have a different feel for all of this but it wasnt.

[Dyoll_73]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Since I know jamaica as much as I do. <span style="font-weight: bold">i still </span><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">believe</span></span> that the Jamaicans are fronting. Jamaicans are not Americans. They wil keepo the secret. </div></div>

You equate belief with fact, I see.

[Serenity82]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">we r juss one grin an jig away from being a complete minstrel of an island...fi real...

look wat dem a try call seh a Rasta ...walk rung eena burlap so grin an dance on di hour.... </div></div>

silly :P

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DotCom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">***Sigh***

I wish I had one of those <span style="font-weight: bold">JIT</span> Just-In-Time friends. Always on time with alllllll the information in support of... Reminds me of one of those poems I heard Maya Angelo read long time ago, something about <span style="font-weight: bold">Lies told on the Slave Ships</span>.

Anyhoo, people free to believe what them want to, even if it is blatantly unbeweaveable. </div></div>

But you have, remember your husband came to Britain recently walked out all of London and could only find four black persons?

Or to qualify, does the source have to be a friend and not related in other ways?

[britisha]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

...as mi modda used to seh &quot;is not what is said, but who said it...always considah di source.&quot;


....and den di bullfrog did seh &quot;what is joke to you is death to me&quot;..or a nain di bullfrog did seh ie? seet deh now.

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Rastafari indigenous village..wat a hell

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: britisha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...as mi modda used to seh &quot;is not what is said, but who said it...always considah di source.&quot; </div></div>I tend to read the words first; my attitude is to believe everything I see if I have questions I ask till the matter is clarified.