The version of Rastafari life shown in the video is different than what I expected after seeing the faith through Marley and his music. The sect of Rastafari shown in the video, the Boboshanti, are very conservative and strict in their rituals (traditional). They wake early every morning(3 am, then 9 am) and pray many times a day, along with getting work done (physically) to survive, such as taking care of fields, building homes, dealing with water, etc.
The video presents the Boboshanti as hard workers and spiritual people at the same time. The view of Bob Marley, his music, and the overall view of Rastafari people (that I had before watching this video) is definitely one of great spirituality, but not a huge emphasis on hard work nor such care in the details of the rituals.
The system of symbols reflected in the video include the turban, or crown, that they wear over their dreads. Unlike the Rastafari that we see in popular culture, such as Bob Marley, the look of the Boboshanti does not include dreads. The way the Boboshanti dress is not as colorful and wild as the less tradition/popularized Rastafari; in the video, they are wearing solid bright colors (Red, green) or neutrals (black, tan, white). The colors of Rasta were present in the video; the flag of black, red and green is seen and the houses are painted black, red, and gold. There was one symbol that we had not read in the book yet; a big "R" in red on the chest of the men. Signs with the 'Bible's teachings' and the group's ideals are around the community. these values are the same as what we have read about as the overall view of Rastafarians (examples: black over white, good over evil, equality and justice for all).
Overall, seeing this video make me realize that there is a real depth to the religion of Rastafari and varying degrees of the faith as well (just like in Christianity or Judaism). I enjoyed learning about the Boboshanti because they are more traditional and didn't look like the popularized, Bob Marley-like Rastafarian (not that there's anything wrong with that)!
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