Written Analysis-Analysis 1
Popular Beliefs, Myths, and Icons: Robert Nesta Marley
Robert Nesta Marley
(Bob Marley) is the world’s most notable international reggae and Rastafarian
icon. The mystical Rhetoric in his
music help propelled the spread of Jamaican culture and his religion,
Rastafarian. This charismatic singer,
songwriter, and musician hailed from the rural village of Nine Miles, St.
Ann. Bob Marley presented himself and
his views in a captivating way that attracts a wide range of people from all
walks of society. That be said, the
theories of popular culture that applies to him include popular beliefs,
myths, and icons.
There are a myriad
myths and beliefs about Bob Marley.
Many people knew him as “Jah Messenger”. A few knew him as a prophet or physic (palm
reader). Marley, the grandson of a
Maroon myalman, or spiritual healer and physic practiced this craft using his
middle name “Nesta” as a child. It is
said that the name “Nesta” means messenger in Maroon’s tongue. Many of his songs that he wrote and sang
portrayed the thoughts of a visionary man, exuding a profound comprehension of
life and current and future events during his time. He predicted his own death at an early age:
"Me gwine die at 36, jus like Jesus Christ." He passed on at the age
37, and it is said that Jesus died in his thirties.
Marley’s religion
drives some of his beliefs. One such
belief is the use and marijuana or Ganga.
Many of his songs contained themes of his campaign to legalize
Ganga. Bob smoke numerous amount of
Ganga during his life, especially when he is reasoning with his brethren. It is a common practice for Rastafarian men
to “get together and feel all right” while reasoning. As a Rastafarian, Marley promoted levity
style. That is living in harmony with
nature. As such followers of the fate
consume only unprocessed food or Ital food.
An enormous amount vegetables and fruits are eaten in order to gain
maximum nutrients.
Some of the insights
I gained from the myths, beliefs, and the iconic Marley is that he was just an
ordinary man instead of the “larger than life” image portray of him to the masses. In fact, when I met him many years ago in
Cleveland, Ohio, I was in awe of how simple a person he is, his demeanor was
very humbled. Through his music, he
advocated for social inequality and justice.
He was not in the music business to make money but to uplift people
through his spirituality and music. As
much as I want to belief he is just an ordinary man, he was and still is a
superhero to many especially to Jamaica.
Mention Jamaica to anyone in the world who barely knows the location of
Jamaica, they will cry in acknowledgment, “Bob Marley”.
References
Browne, R. (2005). Profiles of
popular culture. Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.
Petracca, M., & Sorapure, M. (2012).
Common culture: Reading and writing about american popular culture.
(7th ed.). Columbus, Ohio: Pearson.
Steffens, R. (2001, February 14). About
bob marley. Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/bob-marley/about-bob-marley/656/
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