Reggae into the Contemporary American Society - Essay Example

Reggae into the Contemporary American Society Introduction The culture of a particular community refers to the way of life of the community. It consists of the beliefs, traditions, and customs that are unique to a given community and the achievements that are associated with and valued by the community. It also entails the incorporation of ethical codes of conduct in coexisting with the others in the society. The culture of a community is actually, what portrays their human nature and distinguishes them from other animals in nature. It is thus of some value and the community has the responsibility of ensuring that it is preserved so that the due respect is accorded to it. Regardless of the culture from which and individual hails, the common point is that a desirable culture should provide an individual with a sense of identity and the individual should be able to understand the dynamic nature of the world and be able to adjust to the changes encountered. Folk culture refers to the natural way of life that is defined by an ideal culture in a given community. This culture emphasizes on the human values like honor and the principle of reasoning and a view that the natural setting should be valued and considered wholesome. The spirit of hard work, self-discipline, and excellence are some of the aims of a folk culture, and which have currently lost grounds in the majority of the modern culture. Others include individual responsibility and loyalty to the authority. There are various ways through which communities preserve their cultural heritage to uphold their identity. The traditional cultural preservations include some ritual practices, traditional folk dances, folk tales, and folk music (Jankee, 2). The themes of the folk songs pointed out the cultural values like brevity, loyalty, and hard work. They often contained information on peaceful coexistence among the individuals in a given society. These traditional folk cultural expressions developed into the modern expressions with some deviations. Much of the human values that were emphasized by the traditional folk songs are not stressed in the modern Western cultures. The modern culture happens not to view nature as it was viewed earlier and neither does it allow nature to take control of life as in the olden days. There has also emerged a relation between the cultural expressions and grass root developments especially in the developing nations. The development of folk cultural expression in the Modern American society The different cultural expressions that are witnessed in different parts of the world are all concerned with the issue of defining the identity of the community. The need to answer the questions “Who am I?”, “Where do I come from?” or “Where I am going to?” provides an insight to the earlier developments of the folk cultural expressions. The folk tales that were used were creative tales that had symbolic meaning that reflected on the values of a given cultural community. The developments of such folk tales often emerged when the community was faced with some difficult situations. As they pondered to develop a solution to problems, pictures and illusions of what would work best ran across the minds of the old legends. Continuous focus on these images helped develop a complete folk tale characterized by imagery (Kleymeyer, 25). The contents of nature were often used to describe certain characters that can be of help during difficulties. For instance, in must of the traditional folk tales, a hare was often portrayed as being weak but very intelligent (Kleymeyer, 25). It would always use its wits to influence the mightier animals in the jungle or to escape some danger. On the other hand, larger animals like elephants and hippopotamus were portrayed as having a lot of energy but not intelligent enough to realize the crafty nature of hare. The picture that was relayed in such folk tales is that certain difficult situations like during wars did not only require strength and brevity as a solution. Some level of intelligence was required to accompany these traits so that a battle would be won. Cultural expression was then an important means of teaching the youths in a given community especially due to their attraction of the attention of the audience. The use of riddles and folk dances also played the same role as the folk tales illustrated above. They also used the principles of imagery. Riddles or traditional dances could be used to indirectly attack the past misconducts by officers like the police as has been witnessed in the Central American and Andean folk dances (Kleymeyer, 25). Basically, the cultural expressions provided the individuals with a different way of viewing life. Cultural expressions also developed as a way of promoting grass root development in some communities. It helped cultivate a spirit of teamwork among the members of the communities. There were activities that were collectively carried out and traditional dances and rituals would be performed after their completion. Various craft activities like weaving and pottery were carried out in these events. Apart from designating their culture, these artistic products also generated incomes for the individuals (Kleymeyer, 27). The same scenario is witnessed in the contemporary society where the workers of a given organization unite and use cultural expression to portray solidarity with one another. Some communities in a given society may be suppressed or assimilated by major communities. The historical slave trade and the chronological movements of different ethnic communities across the globe led to heterogeneous societies with unequal proportion of each mother community. The culture of the weaker groups in such societal settings is likely to be absorbed into the culture of larger communities. Most of the ancient and modern international legislation prohibit the assimilation of cultures and provide for the cultural identity of every ethnic community. Such legislation follows the fact that regardless of the size of a given ethnic community, there is an element of societal growth that can require values that are possessed by this community (Kleymeyer, 28). The cultural expression was applied by such minority groups to uphold their ethnic identity. It helps in sustaining the ethnic pluralism and preserves the minor cultures. The existence of cross-cultural societies also resulted to another role of cultural expression that would be adopted in modern music like Reggae. The larger and powerful communities oppressed the minority groups leading to racial or ethnic discrimination as was witnessed among the communities in America. The folk cultural expressions were applied in advocating for equal human rights and condemning all kinds of discriminations that could be exercised among the communities living together. Most of cultural works had a message that only one race needed to be considered in the world, the human race (Kleymeyer, 28). It was considered that the language difference was not a formal basis for segregation, since the human race would possibly find a way for communication towards ensuring that peace was prevalent in the whole world. Other issues affecting the society could also be addressed in the forum created for or by the cultural expressions. The issues like poverty, poor governance, crime and other vices are some of the key themes of such cultural arts. The need to advocate for freedom from colonial powers and further need for democratic kind of government were some of the roots of cultural arts. Through the use of satirical songs or poems, the folk cultural expression could be used to attack authoritative leaders and put pressure on them until they are overthrown. The folk cultural expressions were also applicable in managing conflicts between two or more groups. It provided some kind of a common language through which different ethnic groups could be brought together and it shares a common issue. As a result, the wide rifts that could be witnessed between the communities are narrowed through folk cultural expressions like handicraft and music (Kleymeyer, 30). This helps in elevating the smaller groups that would otherwise not be visible among the larger communities. Much of these uses of folk cultural expressions are still applicable in the modern society. The difference that emerges is due to the westernization that changed dressing styles and the musical instruments due to the modern values and practices. Folk cultural expressions in Jamaica The folk cultural expressions that are available in Jamaica span over a long period, from as early as the slave period of the sixteenth century to the present situation. The fight for human rights, freedom from slavery, and the advocacy for development programs in all sectors are included in such materials. Much of the traditional folk tales and folk music had words of wisdom that recalled the misfortune that befell the ancestors of the Jamaicans and how they managed to get out of the slavery. The kind of oppression that the Jamaicans received from the government long after the slavery provided a foundation for the modern folk music of Jamaica. The education for children had certain restriction on age that would force the parents to lie concerning the children’s ages (Lewin, 5). Fortunately enough, music was taught in these schools and the teachers got good opportunities of developing the discipline among talented pupils. Other issues could also be addressed through the cultural expressions. The parents back at home also encouraged their children who had interests in singing. They would be allowed to sing, listen to recorded music, or read stories about their legends (Lewin, 9). The use of folk cultural expressions in Jamaica is not different from how it is applied in other regions. Just as in the olden times, the artists in Jamaica used cultural expressions in upholding their identity. Solidarity and pride are some of the key themes of these cultural products. It has been seen to be effective in catalyzing various reform movements. Cultural expressions were used to initiate and energize youth projects through developing in them a sense of pride and spirit of teamwork (Kleymeyer, 32). The Rastafari music of Jamaica was able to achieve this through the incorporation of traditional instruments in their performance like drums. Roots of Rastafari of Jamaica Jamaica is one of the islands in the Caribbean Ocean that was under the rule of various nations like Spain and Britain for a long period. It is one of the regions that had imported slaves from other parts of the world to provide cheap labor for their economic activities like sugar cane growing. The effects of such influx of slaves from the black continent later led to the black Africans outnumbering the Jamaicans. As result, this small country had different cultures that were typical of the global diverse cultures. Different traditional and religious cultures were practiced by these multiracial Jamaicans. The kind of racial discrimination and oppression that was given to the black slaves would later provide themes for the cultural expressions like folk music. The modern reggae that spread to Africa, US and European nations traces its roots back to this island. Bob Marley, who is known as the founder of Reggae, was a Jamaican. The Rastafari movement began in Jamaica in the 1920s as religious and political movement. It was a movement initiated by the black Jamaicans following the rising poverty levels, oppression, racial and class discrimination of the black Africans. The movement is attributed to Marcus Garvey (1887-1940) who taught that Africans were like the Israelites under captive and that they would be soon freed and be back to their mother land (Religion Facts, para.6). The movement fought to uphold the pride of Africa, obtain freedom from oppression, and find a way of moving back to Africa. The Rastafarians believed that Emperor Haille Selassie I of Ethiopia was a Messiah with some divine powers despite the latter’s denial of the claim. The emperor struggled to modernize Ethiopia and encouraged the elders of Rastafari (or Rasta) to ensure that the Africans captured in Jamaica are freed before they (Rastas) could come and settle in Ethiopia where the emperor had provided them with land for settlement. Various developments were registered in the Rastafarian cultural expression as from 1930s to 1975 when Selassie was killed by his captors. One such event was the conversion of Rita Marley to the Rastafarian faith in 1966 (Religion Facts, para.11). Being the wife of a known reggae musician, her conversion led to a new turn and much of the Rastafari movements would then be facilitated through reggae music. Early Reggae Different types of folk music had been used earlier in addressing the issues that affected the communities in Jamaica. Rocksteady and ska were some of the popular music of the earlier times in Rastafarian movements. As reggae developed, it was noted that it was quite different from these other types of folk music (King & Foster, 54). Reggae used more African tones than these other types and the themes of the songs reflected on the conditions that were imposed on the slaves. The early reggae musician of the 1960s supported the political involvement of the genre that would later influence the nature of reggae music. Towards the end of the decade, reggae was already attracting a global audience. In 1968, various reggae artists like Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley and the Wailers produced records that were internationally recognized (King & Foster, 54). The early reggae mainly emphasized on protest themes. The musicians touched on concepts like “Babylon” “Jah” and “Mount Zion” that were common teachings of the Rastafarian movement (King & Foster, 55). In these songs, Babylon referred to the oppressors like slave traders or the Jamaican government while Mount Zion referred to Africa, the homeland for most of the slaves. The use of marijuana as a spiritual herb and the need for repatriation were some issues addressed by these songs. The Rastafarian movement now had a better way of advocating for their cultural beliefs and values. Conclusion The folk cultural expressions are ways through which a particular community strives to uphold its identity. They are often used to condemn vices like discrimination and advocate for equality and fairness to all. The different ways of cultural expressions like music and dances all aim at upholding this unique identity of a particular community. The Rastafari movement came about a way of protesting against slavery in Jamaica. Different ways were used until reggae founds its roots into the political arena in 1960s. Thus, It is indeed true that early reggae is a period before the Rastafari movement entered the main stream of Jamaican music from 1968-1970. Works Cited Jankee, Bernard. Policy objectives for the protection of traditional knowledge, Folklore/Traditional Cultural Expressions and Genetic Resources in the Caribbean–the role of the Government. N.d. 29 April 2011. http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/wipo_grtk_kin_08/wipo_grtk_kin_08_presentation03.pdf. King, Stephen A. and Foster, Renée P. Reggae, Rastafari, and the Rhetoric of Social Control. Mississippi: Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2007 Kleymeyer, Charles D. Cultural expression and grassroots development: cases from Latin America and the Caribbean. London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1994. Lewin, Olive. Rock it come over: the folk music of Jamaica, with special reference to Kumina and the work of Mrs. Imogene "Queenie" Kennedy. Kingston: University of the West Indies Press, 2000. Religion Facts. Rastafari. 2011. 29 April 2011. http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/rastafarianism.htm. Read More