Portrayal of Marijuana in Reggae Music & Introduction of Rastafarianism - Thesis 2015 ManipalUniversity

A Study of Marijuana as a Symbolic
Representation in Reggae Music and

Rastafarianism
Amith M D
130702002
Dissertation submitted to
School of Communication in partial fulfilment of the requirements
of Manipal University for the degree of
Masters of Arts (Communication)
OCTOBER 2014
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
INDIA
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the dissertation entitled, A Study of

Marijuana as a Symbolic Representation in Reggae Music
and Rastafarianism, submitted to School of Communication,
Manipal University is my own original work and has not been
previously submitted to any other institution of higher education. I
further declare that all sources cited or quoted are indicated and
acknowledged by means of a comprehensive list of references.
Amith M D
130702002
Manipal, October2014
This dissertation was carried out under the supervision of my

guide.
Dipti Nagendran
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
School of Communication, Manipal.
THESIS EVALUATION
ACCEPTED/REJECTED ACCEPTED/ REJECTED

Internal Evaluator External Evaluator
DIRECTOR
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
MANIPAL UNIVERSITY
MANIPAL
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, my gratitude renders out to the entire panel in connection with
thesis for accepting a stigmatic topic and providing me with valuable inputs in
carrying out this study.
Miss. Pallavi Rao provided a logical structure for my ideas that helped me with
topic clarity.
Miss. Dipti Nagendrans guidelines and structural ideas were significant in laying
the foundation around which innovative blocks were constructed with relative ease.
I would like to thank all my batch mates for their constant motivational reminders of
the submission dates. Also I would like to thank them for the protocol updates.
I dearly thank all my friends who lightened the intense moments during the phase of
thesis that allowed me to relax and rejuvenate.
Most importantly I would like to dedicate this work to all the Rastafaris, who
struggled through and still do in every aspect of life.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Introduction.1
Chapter 2: Review of Literature......8
Chapter 3: Methodology...17
Chapter 4: Analysis and Interpretation.21
Chapter 5: Summary and Conclusion....84
Bibliography
Introduction:
Reggae music
Reggae is a music genre incepted in the latter period of 1960s. It is considered the most
popular form of music in Jamaica. The inspiration of Reggae traces back to the more
contemporary form of music such as African Folk, Jamaican Calypso, American
Rhythm and Blues. This form of music basically revolved around the areas of creating
unity and peace among humanity which is noticeably manifested in the lyrics of the
songs composed by some of the pioneers of Reggae, namely, Bob Marley, Jimi Cliff
and Peter Tosh. Reggae, interestingly has four different eras of existence. From the
period of 1960s to the mid 1966 it was called Ska, from 1966-1968 it was called
Rock Steady, Reggae in itself had two phases of names being called where one was
Early Reggae and the other was Roots reggae, from the period of 1969 to 1974
and 1975 to 1983 respectively. From the year 1983 onwards till date it is referred to as
Dancehall. Each of these music names have a different beat to it which makes the
study all the more interesting and breaks the cycle of monotony. The first ever Reggae
song was recorded in Jamaica titled, Do The Reggay. This song was on a 4 by 4
musical measure. Reggae songs were always meant to be pieces of art that
communicated a deeper meaning in their lyrics rather than mere entertainment. It is
also considered as a source of philosophy by many Rastafaris. Reggae stars focused
more on the contemporary aspect of the music and left behind a legacy for their
successors rather than losing the true essence of the music due to commercialisation.
A couple of the renowned aesthetic reggae artists are Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Ras
Mathew, in the modern era, is believed to have maintained the same texture in the
music as the legends did in the past. There are stars who brought this beautiful form
of music to the commercial forefront in the recent past, namely, Shaggy, Sizzla and
Sean Paul.
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(Hamid, 2002) (Bloom, 1984), (Bennetzen and Maegaard, 1982) & (OBrien and
Chen, 1998)
Jamaica
Jamaica is a country of islands situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is spread over an area
of 10991 square kilometres. The gross income of the country before the industry
standards entered into the arena was 190 Million dollars. This situation had hit the
scene due to lack of employment where 50% of the youth had no jobs. Most of the
dwellers here are African descendants with diverse cultural minorities. Back in the days
before the Industrial Revolution began to roll out, people of Jamaica earned their living
by farming sugar and bananas. However, the present scenario has changed where the
biggest source of income is incurred through mining, tourism and Reggae music. With
living standards having improved to a large extent, it still remains in the league of poor
third world countries. Jamaica freed itself from the clutches of Great Britain in the year
1962 attaining independence with pride. The slave trade that occurred in the era of 17 th
and 18th has given rise to a diverse culture. Bob Marley was considered the icon of the
country simply because his gross income comprised of 1 by 10th of the entire nations
GDP. (Harvey, 2006) & (Lieb and Romano, 1981)
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(Image showing the leaves of the plant Cannabis Sativa)
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Marijuana
Marijuana, or what is popularly called as ganja by the Rastas, is viewed as a spiritual

purifier or a sacrament and is still smoked to cleanse the body and open the mind to
various subject matters. Its botanical name is Cannabis Sativa. The leaves of this
plant are in the shape of a serrated-edged knife. The species of this plant is dioecious
which means that there exists a male and a female plant. There are two variants of
Cannabis Sativa, namely, the hemp which is an extract of the plant that is cultivated in
order to meet industrial standards and the other is medical marijuana which is an extract
that is cultivated in order to meet medical conditions of the patients like nausea, cancer,
The hemp is used to make ropes, bags, t-shirts and many more and the fabric of which
is stronger than that of jute. Refined oil can be extracted from the seeds of the Cannabis
Sativa that can be used for cooking. Hemp was also used to make bow and arrows that
were harder than bamboo sticks. It was used in the clothing industry even before cotton
and other fabric came into existence.
Critical analysis of the drug shows that over dose of it can cause lack of bodily
coordination, loss of memory, chances of brain abnormalities, the THC level in
cannabis disrupts nerve cells in the brain affecting memory, and pregnant ladies are the
ones to be affected the most as the baby might be undersized or premature. Cannabis
also disrupts the sperm structure making men temporarily sterile while in the women
it affects the menstrual cycle. (Cohen and Clark, 2003)
In a popular music genre of Reggae, ganja is a symbol that is portrayed as a medium

to create unity and peace throughout the world that is misinterpreted by the general
public. Reggae is a music genre that was originated from the earlier genres namely Ska
and Rocksteady. Bob Marley with his sported dreadlocks and his music, established
a strong zest towards freedom from slavery. In most of his songs he mentions ganja as
a doorway to creativity and also believes that it is spiritually driven. The following
musicians, Jimmi Cliff, Peter Tosh, Sizzla, Bob Marley and Ras Mathew state in their
lyrics about the medical aspects of marijuana and rebelliously ask the law makers to
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legalize it. The three colours representing the Rastafarians are yellow, green and red
with the background being black and a weed leaf signifying peace and harmony. Some
Reggae lyrics attempt to raise the political consciousness of the audience, by
criticizing materialism, or informing the listener about controversial subjects such as
Apartheid. Reggae was the only form of music that contributed heavily in promotion
of cannabis that is considered as a sacrament in the Rastafari movement.
(White, 2007) & (Simpson, 1985)
Rastafari
Slavery was one of the major issues in Jamaica back in the 18th century and due to the
harsh conditions of the Caribbean Islands racism was taken to a whole new level as the
blacks were ill-treated in every aspect of life. Rastafari was a rebellious movement that
originated in Jamaica with Pinnacle being the first Rasta Community. Also due to the
slave trade in the 18th century there is a wide spectrum of cults in Jamaica. Leonard
Howell was the first Rasta. It is an Abrahamic new religious drive that accepts Haile
Selassie I, the Ethiopian emperor who hailed for a period of almost 4 and a half decades
starting from 1930 to 1974 as God incarnate and the Messiah who will deliver believers
to the Promised Land, identified by Rastas as Ethiopia. The Rastafaris experienced a
lot of eviction in the period of 60s and 70s and had to frequently move from one
place to another, consequently leading themselves to shelter in what was popularly
called as Zion. It has its roots in Black-Empowerment and Back-to-Africa
movements. Its followers continue to be concentrated there, although smaller
populations of Rastas can be found in many countries today. Rastas accept the
existence of a single triune God, called Jah, who has incarnated on earth several
times, including in the form of Jesus. They accept much of the Bible, although they
believe that its message has been corrupted over time by Babylon, which is commonly
5|Page
identified with Western, white culture. Specifically, they accept the prophecy in the
Book of Revelations concerning the second coming of the Messiah, which they believe
has already occurred in the form of Selassie. Rastafaris dont like themselves to be
called as Rastafarians or even mention the culture as Rastafarianism due to their
aversion towards ians or isms as they believe that it descends from the Babylon
culture. The physical appearance of the Rastafaris was the long dreadlocks, hippie
clothes and the tri-colour element on them. The tri-colour comprised of the colours,
red, yellow or gold, being at the centre, and green. Each of these three colours signified
different messages to the viewer. The red conveys passion for the country and culture
of Rastfarianism, the yellow conveys hope for light in such a rebellious era and the
colour green signifies peace and unity through Marijuana. (Salter, 1996) & (Murrel,
Spencer and McFarlane, 1998)
Rastafarianism is considered as a religion that was started off by the Reggae legend,
Bob Marley. The latter syllable, ism, of the word, Rastafarianism originates from
the Babylonian culture whom the Rastafaris detested of. The name of the culture
Rastafari is adopted from Ras Tafari with Ras being the noble title awarded to
Halie Selassie I and Tafari (formal name: Teferi) being the first name of the same
personality. Amharic is a Semitic language spoken in Ehtiopia. It is also the official
working language of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Ras which
literally means head, is a Ethiopian title that is in parallel ledge with the prince or
chief and the personnel is given the name of Tafari.
(http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/skowera.html)
Jah is a sacred name of God taken from Jahweh or Jehovah that is found in
Psalms 68:4 in the King James Version of the Bible. Most believers of the culture of
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Rastafari see the inspiring personality in Haile Selassie I as Jah or Jah Rastafari
which is an incarnation of God named differently as the following,
The Father
The Second Advent of Christ
The Anointed One
The interesting fact is that Rasta was never a religion, it was a movement that was
initiated in the era of 1930s. By a large section of adherents of the culture, it is
considered as Way of Life. It was primarily a lifestyle followed by the Rastas who
consumed Marijuana as a spiritual sacrament. They always despised of societal
materialism, oppression and sensual pleasures which were major factors that
encompassed Babylonian culture. Zion, was referred to the birthplace of
humankind, The Promise Land and Heaven on Earth.
(http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/skowera.html)
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Literature Review
An author of the book named The First Rasta, Leonard Howell and the Rise of
Rastafarianism writes about how an American journalist and a historian by profession
has conducted a research on Reggae music and Rastafarians, where he mentions about
the societal problems that the small cult faced and the situation has not changed much
to the present scenario. He quotes that Women who work in the bank were fired
because they sported dreadlocks. It was a part of the tradition and culture for
Rastafarians to show off the dreadlocks, talk smooth and sing Reggae songs. The
dreadlocks is a specific hairstyle where the hair is allowed to grow with paying little or
almost no attention and the strands are encouraged to grow naturally to entangle by
themselves. He also mentions in his introduction in the book about Bob Marley being
more interested in talking about Rastafarianism rather than selling Reggae music,
which displays the fact that Marley was more inclined towards moving the nation rather
than the glitz and glamour. He quotes that, Not many of the rock stars I wrote about
for Rolling Stone in the 1970s arrived with such unshakeable belief of spiritual
manifesto. Davis manifests that Marley sang Reggae songs in order to reach spiritual
heights and not just entertain the audience. The colours red, gold and green are also
stated in the introduction part of this book that signifies the colours of Rastas. Rasta is
just not a fad or hairstyle but there is much more to it. Rastafarianism was a culture
that began in Jamaica. The culture had its own way of expressing things. The Rastafari
movement was initiated in order to create peace and unity through reggae music and
also spread the same message to the entire world. There are many faces to the Rastafari
Movement. Popular ones among all are Twelve Tribes of Israel, The Ethiopian African
Black International Congress (otherwise known as the BoboShante House) and the
Nyahbinghi Order. The founder of the Twelve Tribes of Israel was Vernon Carrington.
8|Page
According to the author, The Twelve Tribes of Israel house is distinguished by the
following practices and beliefs namely,
Each member should read a chapter from the Bible on a daily basis, and must
finish reading the complete Bible in three and a half years.
The numerical twelve is pivotal. There are twelve tribes mentioned in the Bible,
as well as twelve disciples.
That each person entering the movement is given a name based on the month
in which he or she was born, and which corresponds to the tribe to which they
are associated.
The Jehovah's witnesses and the Unification Church, there is a belief that the
chosen (who are to live in God's kingdom) are limited to 144,000.
The foundational belief that Jesus Christ was manifested in his second coming
in the person of Jah Rastafari, Haile Selassie I1
Repatriation is a distinct objective of the organization.
Marijuana is a religious sacrament.
The Twelve Tribe house still acknowledges Vernon Carrington, otherwise

known as Gad-man, as the founder of the house.
Members of this house unlike the other two major mansions do not adhere to
the Nazarite/ Nazarine vow.
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Unlike most of the other mansions of Rastafari, a monthly reggae music session
is almost a ritual. Eleventh and very distinguishing characteristic is that this
house has no racial barriers. Its membership consists of all races.
Equally distinguishing feature is that men and women have equal roles in this
house. In fact this house has been considered the trend-setter for Rastafari in
terms of women's equality within the movement. (Howell, 1999)
The house of The Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (BoboShante)

House was established and founded by Prince Emmanuel. It is popularly known as
Zion. There came a phase of bull-dozing where the people moved to Bull Bay in
the Parish of St. Thomas where this camp is often referred to as Zion Hill. This
shelter belt still remains even today. Boboshante camps outside of Jamaica are
located in Trinidad, the Bahamas and the United States.
The people from the cult, The Boboshante House are easily distinguishable from the
other Rastafaris due to the style of wearing tightly wrapped turbans, long flowing black
or white robes and sandals. The Boboshante believed in a system that comprised of
Prophet, Priest and King. The Prophet is Marcus Garvey, the priest is Prince
Emmanuel, and the King is Haile Selassie 1. Black Supremacy is another belief that
was rooted in the Boboshante house. The house of The Ethiopia Africa Black
International Congress (BoboShante) House was established and founded by Prince
Emmanuel. There came a phase of bull-dozing where the people moved to Bull Bay in
the Parish of St. Thomas where this camp that is often referred to as Zion Hill. This
shelter belt still remains even today. Boboshante camps outside of Jamaica are located
in Trinidad, the Bahamas and the United States. This book goes deep into the roots of
Rastafarianism and allows the reader to gain more in-depth knowledge about the
culture. (Hamid, 2002)
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In another book on the subject study of Rastafarianism, Richard C. Salter speaks about
the adverse events and occurrences that took place chronologically. The events trace
back to the time they have been started till the latest one. This book assists the readers
in comprehending the culture of Rastafarianism. One of the major concern was the
administrative wing whose ideologies were not supportive of the general public that
lead the mass on to the track of rebel, hence the initiation of Rastafari Movement.
(Salter, 2003)
Another author named, Anita M. Waters, mentions the issues that Rastafarians had to
go through. According to Waters, ideological differences between the parties
dominated the 1976 campaign. Seaga's attitudes were linked to the maintenance of the
traditional power structure that favoured the "big man." By voting Manley's
government back into power, the nation reaffirmed its commitment to the PNP's social
and economic programs that served what the party referred to as Jamaica's "sufferers,"
the poor black masses. By the end of the year 1970 Jamaicas economy was in serious
trouble. She defines Rastafarian symbols as "those colours, words, phrases, objects,
places, and persons that have been adopted by Rastafarians as meaningful in relation
to Selassies's divinity. These symbolic items include dreadlocks, the colours (red, gold,
and green) and the image (a lion) of the Ethiopian flag, Ital (or natural) food, Rasta
language, and the use of ganja or Marijuana. Since racism was a major issue, the
Rastafaris had an added challenge of being rejected everywhere they sought. Every time
a Rastafari was willing to express his or her emotions they were always shunned down
by the higher authorities. The issues of Rastafaris can almost result a popular sympathy.
Anita also states that the Rastafaris always fought an inferior battle. (Salter, 2005)
Bob Marleys words about Rastafarianism were punctuated with jabs of burning
marijuana, writes Stephen Davis. Davis states the fact that weed was a sacrament to
the Rastas and it is popularly called ganja in Jamaica. Even after the divine emperor
was overthrown, Bob Marley did not lose his faith on his strides. A few of the
journalists argued the fact that Bob was on a personal crusade who was sent in to send
wrong messages and influence the general public into wrong doings by some of the
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leaders of Rastas. In an in-house interview with Bob Marley, Davis mentions that Bob
performed his Rastafarian rituals irrespective of the commercialization of the
movement. He also recorded new songs on spirituality like Jah Live and Exodus
that spoke about the metaphoric desires of the Africans in the West to return to an
African Zion represented by modern Ethiopia. The reason why Bob was so adamant
about Rasta was because he wanted them to go home to Africa from the West. When
asked about whether Rasta was rebellious he just laughed and asserted that Rasta is not
violent and he means no death and wrath but what he intends to mean though his
music is peace and unity. So Bob Marley spread the message of a new religion through
his new music, and over-time it became a world-wide, star quality alternative spiritual
identity. Davis writes about the problems Rastafarians faced and are still not
completely out of it. The women who sported dreadlocks and followed Rastafarian
movement were laid off from the banking services and also other industrial services.
The school children of Rasta community still struggle to go to decent schools
consequently leading their parents to demand for equal rights in the court. (Lee and
Davis, 2003)
William, an author, writes about his research that he undertook on the topic of
Marijuana and its psychological problems on students. He states in his book about the
misconceptions on marijuana. He writes that marijuana has been wrongly judged by
people due to lack of awareness. Medical research institutes have conducted
experiments relating to marijuana that have proved that the drug is harmless and the
ill-effects are nearly eclipsed by the positive ones. He writes about the psychological
factors in connection with marijuana. According to the book of Marijuana and
Jamaica written by Ansley Hamid, ganja complex took a time of crisis to be diffused
to the African population of Trinidad and re-diffused to the young Indians whose
great-grand parents had disavowed it. This goes to show the perceptions of the general
public on marijuana and how they want to stop it from spreading which is clearly
evident in the book. (Hamid, 2002)
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Marijuana and Economy
Marijuana, as mentioned earlier in this study, originated in Jamaica and its economy
depended heavily on agriculture. This was prior to Industrial Revolution. Post
Industrial Revolution, the standard of living increased with biggest source of income
being incurred through mining, tourism and Reggae music. Despite the living standards
having improved to a considerable extent, it still remains in the league of poor third
world countries. The irony of the entire scenario is that Jamaica, the place where
Marijuana originated, has not legalized it owing to political and economic barriers.
(Bloom, 1984)
The other variant of Cannabis, hemp, has had equal positive and negative impacts.
Forbes magazine has published a lot of articles on hemp. In one of the articles, Jacob
Sullum writes that the practice of the marijuana amongst the teens has witnessed a
significant decline. The stats surveyed by Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE) reveal that there was a significant decline of weed
consumption down from 39% to 37% in just one year of legalization in Colorado. In
the article, he concludes that legalising marijuana does not increase in underage
consumption. Teens enjoy doing what is obstructed from them, owing to their curiosity
and hence legalizing Marijuana does not lead to an increase in underage consumption.
There is an interesting fact that is mentioned in the article where the writer states about
the fact that there is a decline in the traffic fatalities after legalization of Marijuana as
the drug was substituted for alcohol, consequently, reducing the drunken driving
accidents. Survey proved with facts that in the year 2011 before the legalization took
place there were 263 which reduced to 258 after the legal freedom in less than a year.
It may be a coincidence or maybe not. There can be many interpretations to it. Tweed
Marijuana is one of the companies licensed to grow medical marijuana in Canada.
This company regulates the system for growth and sales. Canada expects to collect
taxes on over $3.1 billion in annual sales. The figures stateside could be vastly better.
In Washington State, where even recreational marijuana is now legal, the Liquor
Control Board hired Prof. Mark Kleiman of UCLA to research the states marijuana
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market. He estimated Washingtons medical and illicit consumption generated
approximately $1.2 billion in sales annually. Colorado, one of the many states in United
States of America, which has voted to legalize Marijuana for recreational purposes. It
gets $2 million from Marijuana taxes. Washington DC is another state in the USA along
with Colorado that has been regulating and profiting from this industry. Wood also
states that The Department of Justice issued a response suggesting that it will lay off
the raids and prosecutions. He also mentions the magnitude of the industrial problem
where the federal tax situations is the biggest threat to businesses. If a dispensary sells
marijuana and is in the separate business of care-giving, the care-giving expenses are
deductible. If only 10% of the premises are used to dispense marijuana, most of the
rent is deductible. (Sullum, 2014)
In another article by Peter Kelly-Detwiller, states that Marijuana cultivation consumes

a lot of electricity. He reports that there is an increase in the theft of electricity due to
the legalization of Marijuana. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council
(NPCC), on the experience of Colorado, estimates an increase in future electricity
demand ranging from 80 to over 160 megawatts. The main reason for this increased
consumption is due to the indoor cultivation that can be processed even during the
unfavourable conditions. According to Mother Jones, an indoor module which can
handle four plants uses as much electric energy as 29 standard refrigerators. This is
largely due to the lighting. In another article from the same magazine written by
Karsten Strauss, Michigan-based nutritional supplement company, Creative Edge
Nutrition, is on course to becoming the first U.S. Company to be allowed to distribute
medicinal marijuana in Canada, says CEO Bill Chaaban. (Kelly-Detwiller, 2014)
William, in his book titled Soul Rebels, The Rastafari, states the benefits and ill-
effects of marijuana, the benefits of which are, increased appetite, relief from head-
ache and nausea, relief from insomnia and the ill-effects of these are short-term
memory loss, coordination lapses, and lethargic feeling. He mentions about a research
that was conducted on Marijuana and its behaviour. The research concluded that it
doesnt cause Cannabis Psychosis which is disordered thinking. Long-term users also
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dont feel the urge to psychologically depend on the drug. The research also concluded
that it doesnt give a leeway to the teens to try out harder drugs like cocaine or heroin.
Interestingly he writes that the Jamaican school students were tested upon and their
grades went soaring high. The Marijuana herb was mixed in tea and given to the
children. The intelligence and thought process of the students were way beyond their
age. The Marijuana consumers were also way ahead in terms of academic performances
than their counterparts who abstained from it. This book also talks about the different
ways in which Marijuana was produced. The author in this book interviews random
Marijuana cases and tries to understand their behaviour. In one of the cases it goes, the
man who was a regular smoker had to renounce it after marriage due to his wifes
defiance. The man goes through no such thing as addiction because he feels normal
without the joint in his hand but admits the fact that he would not have minded one
or two. The point that the author is making is, when the drug is in humans control it
cannot be dangerous. It does not make one land inside the zone of addiction and
thereby giving in to the clutches of desperation. This book also mentions the fact that
once the high of Marijuana is taken in, the high in other objectionable substances is
despised of. This conclusion is drawn after a few more similar cases done by the author.
(William, 1993)
The connection between Reggae music and Marijuana traces back to many years
ago where the Reggae stars wrote lyrics around the subject ganja. Marijuana, in
the reggae music was always intended towards peace and unity. It also acted as a
religious sacrament to the Rastafaris. Some of the very popular Reggae music is
especially composed around the herb, as if it were a promotional element in their songs.
Marijuana is herb that we smoke and want the administrators to clear the rigid trade
zone and legalise it, writes the author named Ansley Hamid in the book titled The
Ganja Complex: Rastafari and Marijuana. He mentions that Reggae singers used
Marijuana in their songs in order to spread the message of peace and unity across
the world. (Hamid, 2002)
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Problem Statement
There is a misconception among the general public that Reggae is a form of music
where band members aimlessly sing songs, smoke pot, sport dreadlocks and send
erroneous messages across the globe. The reality of Jamaica is far away from the clichd
opinions and knowledge of the general public. Rastafaris in the current
circumstances suffer for religious beliefs that society deems delusional. They have had
to go through economic crisis back in Jamaica. Cops continue to harass the Rastas. A
major problem lies in the illegality of Marijuana or ganja that is connected with
spirituality and creativity allowing a doorway for rejection from the mass. Marijuana is
misinterpreted by the mass as a dangerous killing drug that allows one to deviate from
ones objectives. The message about marijuana and how it was portrayed in Reggae
music in its truest sense is not clear to many people and they have been ignorant about
the happenings on Marijuana creating chaos in the process. Bob Marley, Sizzla, Peter
Tosh and Ras Mathew try to convey messages of peace and unity through consumption
of weed in their music which is not readily acceptable by other cultures leaving the
Rastas in darkness. Women too, are targeted where they are fired from their industrial
services for sporting dreadlocks. Rasta parents still go to courts to mandate that their
children go to decent schools. Marijuana is wrongly perceived by the mass that it is just
smoked as an insignificant filler in the songs but Reggae music genre has given a deeper
meaning to it by using the herb as a symbol to create peace and unity in the human
world.
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Rationale
There has not been an intense study research done on Reggae music in connection with
Marijuana and Rastafarianism in any part of India considering its stigmatic notion. It is
important for the entire world to know how significant it is to be cognizant about
Rastafarianism and the problems they face related to politics and economy even in the
current world scenario. Also Marijuana is a herb that is illegal in most parts of the world
which is a major concern and considered to be insignificant because the musicians just
smoke it and sing along in happiness but they fail to realise the deeper meaning in it,
that the Reggae stars have always tried to convey a symbolic message to the general
public about peace and unity.
Objectives
To analyse the significance of Marijuana in the lyrics of Reggae songs

To study the culture of Rasta
To study the evolution of Reggae music
Methodology
The methodology that is engaged in this research is of the qualitative type.
Qualitative research is a situated activity that locates the observer in the world. It
consists of a set of interpretative, material practices that make the world visible. These
practices transform the world. They turn the world into a series of representations,
including field notes, interviews, conversations, photographs, recordings, and memos
17 | P a g e
to the self. At this level, qualitative research involves an interpretive, naturalistic
approach to the world. This means that qualitative researchers study things in their
natural setting, attempting to make sense of, or to interpret, phenomena in terms of
the meanings people bring to them. (Denzin &Lincoln, 2005)
Under this method all the elements of this study would be looked at from the semiotic
point of view. Semiotics refers to the study of meaning-making, the philosophical
theory of signs and symbols.
Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure and American philosopher Charles Saunders

Pierce are termed as the founding fathers of semiotics. Berger. A (2011) describes it
as involving meaning-making in signs and symbols and interpretation of signs. It is
divided into three branches: Semantics (relation between signs and the things to
which they refer), Syntactic (relation among signs in formal structures) and
Pragmatics (relation between signs and sign-using agents). (Berger A, 2011)
The semiotic method that predominantly utilizes the language of signs and symbols is
adopted where each aspect would be analysed starting with Reggae music in connection
with marijuana and Rastafarianism. Lyrics of the songs sung by Bob Marley, Peter
Tosh, Ras Mathew and Sizzla are analysed with Marijuana and Rastafari being the
subject centres. Marijuanas representation in the lyrics of Reggae songs has a deeper
meaning to it which has been manifested with clarity. The mass has failed to realise this
connection and through semiotic analysis the gap of Reggae music in construction with
marijuana and Rastafarianism can be bridged. The elements of semiotics and figures of
speech are applied to the lyrics of the songs which are,
Connotation Connotation refers to the additional and interpretative meaning

in association to its literal sense.
Denotation Denotation on the other hand refers to the literal meaning of
the statement.
Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech that is used to compare two
unrelated elements.
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Hyperbole - Hyperbole refers to the use of context in an exaggerated way to
induce strong feelings and emotions.
Synecdoche A synecdoche is a sub-category of metonymy in which a part is
used to represent the whole.
Metonymy - is a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is called not by
its own name but rather by the name of something associated in meaning with
that thing or concept.
Personification Personification refers to anything, idea or animal to which
human qualities are given.
Simile A simile makes an imaginative comparison for purposes of
explanation, allusion, or ornament, introduced by a word such as like, as, or
such.
Alliteration Alliteration refers to the same sounds of consonance in words
that come together. (Wren and Martin, 2007) (Berger A, 2011)
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(Image above showing Bob Marley)
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Bob Marleys songs and its analysis
Bob Marley is considered to be the legend of Reggae music. He has produced many
marvellous pieces of music that he is revered even today. In the mainstream Reggae
genre of music, he has written 4 songs directly in connection with Marijuana, namely
Legalise Marijuana, I Smoke Two Joints, Pass the Marijuana and Kaya. These
songs were produced in the eras of 1960s and 1970s. His actual name reads, Robert
Nesta Marley. His music always had a sense of spirituality to it.
Lyrics of the song:
Song title: Legalise Marijuana
Singer: Bob Marley
Lyrics: Bob Marley
Warning - The surgeon general warns

Cigarette smoking is dangerous... Dangerous
Hazard to your health
Does that mean anything to you?
Then legalize marijuana

Right here in Jamaica yeah
Dem say it cure glaucoma yeah
I'm an a de bush doctor yeah
So there'll be no more
Smokin' and feeling tense
When I see dem a com
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I don't have to jump no fence
Legalize marijuana
Down here in jamaica yeah
Only cure for asthma yeah
I man a de minister yeah
Police brutality
No more disrespect for humanity
Legalize marijuana yeah

Down here in jamaica yeah
It can build up a failing economy yeah
Eliminate the slavish mentality
Illegal humiliation
And no more police
Interrogation
Legalize marijuana
Down here in sweet Jamaica
Only cure for glaucoma
I'm an a de bush doctor yeah
And there'll be no more need

To smoke and hide
When you know you're takin'
A legal ride
22 | P a g e
Legalize marijuana
Down here in Jamaica
It's the only cure for glaucoma
WI'm an a de minister...
Almost all the Reggae songs possessed bold lyrics to them. Legalise Marijuana is one
such song that conveys the message of easing up on the legal constraints levied upon
Marijuana and requests the administrators to dismiss the rules imposed upon the herb.
In the introduction of the song he asks an interesting question of whether the surgeons
opinions on Marijuana matter anything at all to the listeners. He presumes that the
listeners answer is a no and continues with the first verse. In the top half section of
the first verse he states that Marijuana must be legalised in Jamaica. According to the
lyrics and usage of words like Right here in Jamaica goes to show that the song
was written in Jamaica itself. He makes an exaggerated statement in the song that goes,
Dem say it cures Glaucoma which means, they say it cures Glaucoma which is a
disease related to the eye. This is a prime example of hyperbole because according to
the medical studies and researches it only lessens the pressure on the eye. Towards the
bottom half of the first verse, he mentions that he doesnt have to jump over the fence.
The denotative meaning to this could just be his jump over barbed wires. But the
connotative meaning to this refers to the Rastafaris having smoked illegal
Marijuana, are being chased by the administrators to put them behind bars but they
find an escape route by jumping over the restricted area. Hence, by legalizing Marijuana,
the Rastafaris dont have to jump over the fence of constraint in fear. This also goes
to show the situation of Rasrafaris in Jamaica.
In the second verse of the song he mentions that there is no other cure for Asthma
other than Marijuana which is another example of hyperbole. In the next section of
the verse he considers himself as the minister and there would be no more police chases
and brutal beatings. There would be no disrespect to the mankind, denotes the lyrics.
The connotative meaning to it refers to the amount of sufferings that a Rastafari has
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to go through every day due to smoking weed and consequently being ill-treated for
his deeds.
In the third verse he has used Marijuana denoting the power it possesses to build a
failing economy. This line is another example of hyperbole due to its exaggeration.
Marijuana can certainly balance the economy in terms of nearly eliminating black
market but whether it can save a country from becoming bankrupt is uncertain, hence
it falls into the category of hyperbole owing to its exemplification. The next line is
connected to its previous one and denotes that it will eliminate the slavish mentality
which again is a hyperbole as just one object eradicating the entire social stigma is
nearly impossible considering the wide spectrum of elements involved. The line that
goes Eliminate the Slavish Mentality connotes the ill-treated Rastafaris and even
after they have gone through slavery, he tells the administration wing that slavery can
be eradicated with smoking weed and legalizing it. This also connotes the thought
process towards humanity changes at the advent of free Marijuana consumption.
In the last but one verse Bob Marley writes that there will be no more reason to hide
and smoke Marijuana if the legalization process is successful. And the same line
connotes the amount of legal constraints implied on Marijuana and how people had
to hide from the authorities to smoke in stealth.
Lyrics of the song
Song Name: Smoke 2 joints
Singer: Bob Marley
Lyrics: Bob Marley
I smoke two joints in the morning

I smoke two joints at night,
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I smoke two joints in the afternoon
and it makes me feel alright
I smoke two joints in time of peace
and two in time of war
smoke two joints before I smoke two joints
and then I smoke two more
yeah thats what i do, hey
mama she always told me son you really have it bad

mama she always told me son you do the best you can
then one day I met a man he came to me and said
I work good and I work fine but first take care of him
I smoke two joints in the morning

I smoke two joints at night
I smoke two joints in the video game
and it makes me feel alright
I smoke two joints in the time of peace
and two in time of war
I smoke two joints before I smoke two joints
and then I smoke two more
ooh
one peace one time

funny days, funny days
gimme that bassline
fellas
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In another Reggae song of Bob Marley titled Smoke 2 Joints released in the late
1960s, he states the passion involved in Marijuana smoking. He mentions in the song
that prior to every intense activity he must smoke a joint in order to be efficient at it.
The song starts off with Bob singing, he smokes joints at all the three times of the day
and thereby easing up all his problems related to mind, body and soul. He ends the first
verse by just saying It makes feel alright, which connotes that he is feeling free from
all the mental obstacles that he goes through every day of his life. He feels free from
rebels, slavery and ill-treatments of the Rastafaris. The same line where he says
Marijuana makes him feel alright can also be connected to hyperbole owing to its
exaggeration that just by smoking ganja everything in life will sail smooth. Here the
subject is given high prominence. He denotes that his style of living is to smoke two
joints of Marijuana before the time of war and peace. The basic denotation of this
verse is that he is passion driven about smoking weed and he is hell-bent on doing it
irrespective of the environmental alterations. He ends the song denoting that the
smoke days are funny due to the laughter he shares with his friends. There are not
many connotations in this song. One of them being, one peace one time. Here, the
singer connotes that human beings possess life just for once and with intake of
Marijuana, peace can be attained. He writes that he smokes a couple of joints before
he smokes the first two joints of the day and then he smokes two more. This line is an
example of hyperbole where he exaggerates the frequency of joints he smokes.
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Lyrics of the song
Song name: Pass the Marijuana
Singer: Bob Marley
Lyrics: Bob Marley
I said you numb my feelings and now I feel okay

Give me such inspiration to look at things another way
You help me relax at the end of my day
So if you feel like I feel, than let me hear you say
Pass the marijuana, give Jah thanks and praise today

Pass the marijuana, any old kind a way (x2)
I like it when you roll it up real nice

But lord I hate the price
I like it in a Buddha bong bout two feet long
Don't have to hit it twice and you still feel nice
Pass the marijuana, pass the marijuana my way

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Pass the marijuana, any old kind a way (x2)
I like it when you pack it up in a pipe

And ya pass it round with the light
Make sure the mood is right, be it day or night
Let your mind take flight, make you feel so right
Pass the marijuana, pass the marijuana my way
Puff the magic Buddha here I come once again

Takin' hit number ten and representin' West Marin
I be fillin' my mind with knowledge as my lungs are filled with smoke
Cough, chokin' on the potent smoke inside my throat
From Chico, California to my home in the Bay, say
We like to smoke out every day!
I be Northern Lights smokin' hit the joint until I'm chokin',
My eyes are turnin' red and I can barely keep 'em open
The Mystic Roots be knowin' that the way of the walk is stoned
Ask Seba, Irie, Johnny Kind or Shayne'll say: "It's on"
I got the thin mustache, I need another hit a hash
Cause I smoked all my grass just got a pipe all full a ash
I'm stankin' from the dank and I can only want some more
They call me Coot from Mystic Roots just like I told ya before
Give me the green bud, cause 215 legalized
I be the ganga connoisseur I likes it crazy crystallized so
Pass the marijuana my way, and some papers so that I can roll a Jay

28 | P a g e

Pass the marijuana, any old kind a way
Thank god we passed 215, we legalized the green

Thank god we passed 215, we legalized the green
I like it when you roll it up real nice
But lord I hate the price
I like it in a Buddha bong, bout two feet long

Don't have to hit it twice and you still feel nice
Make sure the mood is right, be it day or night
Let your mind take flight, make you feel so right (x2)
Mr. Mackey: "Whoever has the marijuana just pass it up to the front row, m'kay."
Pass the marijuana, pass the marijuana my way.
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(Image above showing different parts of a bong)
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This is the third song of Bob Marley which has direct connection to Marijuana. This
song was released as a single and has a concrete meaning to the lyrics.
The song starts off with Bob having a conversation with Marijuana. This is a prime
example of personification where he gives life to the herb and speaks to it as if it were
a human being. He says that the drug makes him numb and at the aftermath of it he
feels free from the mental barriers. He uses Marijuana as a personification due to the
human touch given to it during the conversation with the drug in the chorus of the
song. The next line denotes that Marijuana gives him the inspiration to look at things
in an intrinsic way thereby giving a new spectrum to the ordinary objects. He denotes
boldly that the illegal drug helps him relax at the end of the day. Towards the end of
verse, he requests the listener to pass the Marijuana if the listener is on the parallel lines
with him on the feelings associated with the herb. The first line of the verse connotes
that Marijuana has the power to numb his feelings. Bobs feelings were intense and
his life was a storm of problems, as a result of which, he uses Marijuana as a lyrical
symbol to attain the zone of mental relaxation. When the song comes down to the
chorus, Bob gently asks the listener to pass the Marijuana from one person to
another which connotes the urge shown by him to spread the weed all over the world.
In the same line of the chorus he uses Jah as a synecdoche to represent the entire
culture of Rastafaris because Jah is believed to be the triune God who has been
incarnated in many forms including that of Jesus. In the second line of the lyrics writes
to the listener asking him to pass the Marijuana in any old kind of way which denotes
the Marijuana to be passed the traditional way.
In the second verse he mentions the different ways he enjoys smoking but also
condemns to God about the price he has to pay due to its illegality. He connotes that
he hates the price and price here refers to the illegal charges he has to pay to the
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authorities when the joint is rolled up real nice and he is caught for it when smoked.
He connotes that smoking Marijuana in a bong hits a being harder than that of joints.
And the line Don't have to hit it twice and you still feel nice justifies the connotation. He
ends the verse asking the listener to pass the Marijuana his way. Bob Marley, in the
same verse mentions Buddha bong, which connotes the spiritual aspect of Marijuana.
In the next verse he connotes about puffing the magic Buddha which is a clear
indication of a metaphor where he has used it as a substitution for joint puffing.
In the next verse of the song Bob writes about filling the Marijuana in a pipe-like
structured chillum. He portrays the admiration towards the outlook of the joint. And
using this outward look, he asks the listener to pass it around. Here, pass it on is a
metaphor for spreading the Marijuana around the world. He asserts to the listener
about the right mood and allows the mind to be elevated by the drug. The elevation
created by the herb makes him break all the barriers related to the mind. In the bridge
of the song he states that the listener be puffed by the magic Buddha which indicates
a metaphor as it is a substitution for the filtration device through which Marijuana is
inhaled. In the next line Bob writes a line that is hard to decipher as it is related to a
rural region named West Marin. West Marin is a chamber of seven communities namely
Point Reyes Station, Olema, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Tomales, Dillon
Beach, and Inverness. Bob interestingly uses himself as a synecdoche for West
Marin. The reason why he has used the largest rural region that dwells in California
is because there is a special committee in West Marin that focuses primarily on
protecting the nature and preserving the vulnerable species. The message these lines
convey is that by smoking a lot of Marijuana, people tend to diversify their thought
spectrum and show concern towards humanity. This is the reason he picked West
Marin as a primary example of environmental friendly region. Also, it can be inferred
from these lines that Marijuana smoking allows one to be nature friendly. In the next
few lines he states how committed he is towards smoking the herb irrespective of its
potency. He makes an interesting statement where he says that the more his lungs are
filled with Marijuana, the greater his knowledge grows. In the song he has mentioned
32 | P a g e
about a few places where legal constraints on Marijuana are not too tight, for instance,
Chico (Chicago) and California. The Northern Lights written in the lyrics of the
song is a substitutive word for aurora borealis which refers to the shafts or curtains
of coloured light visible on occasion in the night sky. Northern Lights, in this
context, is a synecdoche that represents the section of psychedelic lights that is
experienced during the mental elevation. He also mentions about the ill-effects of
Marijuana in the song where he writes about his eyes becoming red after smoking it.
Grass is one of the metaphors used for Marijuana as it has various other names by
which it is known. Green bud and Jay are metaphors used for the rolled up joint. He
writes that he is known as the Marijuana master and he enjoys being called so. In the
next line where he requests the listener to pass the Marijuana and papers (refers to the
rolling papers in which Marijuana is stuffed and then artistically rolled to make a joint)
so that he can roll up a Jay. This song has a few direct connections to Marijuana. He
ends the song with the punchline asking the listener to pass the marijuana and to pass
it the connoisseurs way, which is his way.
Lyrics of the Song
Song name: Ganja Gun
Lyrics: Bob Marley
Singer: Bob Marley
I'm gonna smoke'a de ganja until I go blind.
You know I smoke'a de ganja all a de time.
Smoke'a de ganja when I'm with friends.
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We gonna smoke'a de ganja until the very end.
Whoo-oo Ganja ganja
Whoo-oo Ganja gun
Whoo-oo Ganja ganja
Whoo-oo Ganja gun
(vocal solo)
Whoo-oo Ganja ganja
Whoo-oo Ganja gun
Whoo-oo Ganja ganja
Whoo-oo Ganja gun
Smoke'a de ganja every day
Ya you gonn' smoke'a de ganja in many different ways
You can smoke'a de ganja in a big fat bowl or you can smoke'a de ganja in a bong
N' keep ya' very lucky you can smoke it in a bong
When you smoke it in a bong, you are baked all night long Mista...
Whoo-oo Ganja ganja
Whoo-oo Ganja gun
Whoo-oo Ganja ganja
Whoo-oo Ganja gun
In a more entertainment oriented song Bob Marley writes a song titled Ganja Gun
where the entire song talks about the different ways in which Marijuana can be smoked
for instance, in a big fat bowl or a bong, and the variation in intensity of the mental
34 | P a g e
elevation. He writes that ganja is smoked with friends and shows the commitment
towards Marijuana stating that he will smoke it until the very end. Ganja Gun is used
as an alliteration as the syllable sounds are similar. The lyrics of the song is not very
concrete with only one metaphor in bong, which refers to an apparatus generally used
for smoking Cannabis, tobacco and other herbal substances. The song has no core or
inner meaning to it which just speaks about smoking ganja with friends and enjoying
the moments of mental elevation. Ganja, which in this song is used as a dialect, refers
to Marijuana. It is used as a dialect because only a specified regions of India and Jamaica
are aware of its meaning and use it quite frequently. Baked is another metaphor in
this song which stands for the highest mental elevation aftermath of Marijuana intake.
Mista is another dialect that is used in the song which actually means Mister and
is predominantly by the cult of Afro-Americans. Whoo-oo, the word that is used
many times in the song acts as a filler to complete the tune of the chorus.
Lyrics of the Song
Song name: Kaya
Lyrics: Bob Marley
Singer: Bob Marley
Wake up and turn me loose
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For the rain is falling
Got to have kaya now
I'm so high, I even touch the sky
Above the falling rain
I feel so good in my neighbourhood, so
Here I come again
Feelin' irie I
Feelin' irie I
Feelin' irie I
'Cause I have some kaya now
I feel so high, I even touch the sky
Above the falling rain
I feel so good in my neighbourhood, so
Here I come again
36 | P a g e
Got to have kaya now, Lord
(Kaya now, kaya, kaya) Huh
Bob Marley released the album named Kaya which is one of the spiritual
masterpieces. Kaya is not an English word. Its origin traces back to Greek word
that exemplifies purity. This is a song in which Bob has used Kaya extensively to convey
the message of purity. It is almost as if Bob has baptised Marijuana as Kaya and has
written it in a metaphoric mode throughout the song. In laymans terms, since Kaya
stands for purity, Marijuana too, stands on the parallel ledge, defines purity and the
same can be witnessed in this song. In the introduction part of the song he sings to a
hypothetical listener asking him to awaken his conscience and turn the singer loose.
This line goes to show the rebellious approach taken towards the culture of Rastafari.
At the end of the introduction he reasons out that he has to be cut loose for the rain is
falling. The singer here, refers to the rain as a metaphor for freedom.
The song hits the chorus part in the next lyrical segment, where Bob mentions his
passion towards Marijuana intake. He has referred to Marijuana as Kaya which is a
metaphor and reasoned out the parameters for smoking the pure herb. Due to the
beckoning of the rain and its touching down on the earth, the singer feels the urge to
smoke ganja for the nature calls for it. Rain stands for certain emotions and words
that emerge out of a common viewer, which are, pure, nature, showers of blessings and
many more. The singer here, is trying to convey the message that Marijuana originates
from the nature and with the advent of rain he feels the urge to smoke. This goes to
show the direct connection between Marijuana and nature.
37 | P a g e
In the verse section of the song, the singer, presuming to have attained the mental
elevation, denotes that he has touched the sky. The connotative meaning of it is, the
singer has attained the altitude in his mind and such is the state that he is able to lay his
hands on the sky. The rains fall when the clouds cant withhold the weight any longer.
The singer, in his mind, gets into the zone above the falling rain which is even a higher
altitude compared to that of the rains. This line can be inferred to as a hyperbole owing
to the exaggeration in the mental elevation that has been caused due to Marijuana.
Feelin' irie I, refers to a dialect which means that the singer feels free from all the
constraints including the slavish treatment, the ill-treatments of Rastafaris and the
musical rejections from other cults. Bob writes that he feels freedom from the inside
only because he has Kaya within his accessibility, in other words, its due to Marijuana.
At the end of the fourth repetitive chorus Bob speaks to God about smoking Kaya
right at the moment of the fall of rain.
Kaya was the title track for the album that was produced by Bob Marley in the
year 1978 which gave a subtle meaning to all the rebellious subject matters happening
in and around Jamaica. Bob Marley has always made conscious efforts in trying to
convey revolutionary messages through his music. He has done the community of
humanity a world of good and shall always be remembered for his determination
towards Marijuana that is manifested in his songs.
38 | P a g e
(Image above showing the Rastafari flag with the tri-colour and the Lion at the
centre to signify the rebellious attributes of them.)
39 | P a g e
Bob Marleys songs on Rastafari
Song name: Forever Loving Jah
Lyrics: Bob Marley
Singer: Bob Marley
Wo-o-o-o! Ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya! Woy-oh!

Yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah! Oh!
(We'll be forever loving Jah;
We'll be forever loving Jah!)
Some they say see them walking up the street;

They say we're going wrong to all the people we meet;
But-a we won't worry, we won't shed no tears:
We found a way to cast away the fears,
Forever, yeah!
(We'll be forever loving Jah) We'll be forever!

(We'll be forever loving Jah) Forever, yes, and forever!
(We'll be forever loving Jah) There'll be no end.
So, old man river, don't cry for me;

A-have got a running stream of love you see.
So, no matter what stages - oh stages -
Stages - stages they put us through,
We'll never be blue
40 | P a g e
No matter what rages, oh rages,
Changes - rages they put us through,
We'll never be blue:
We'll be forever, yeah!

(We'll be forever loving Jah) Forever, and ever, yes, and forever!
(We'll be forever loving Jah) 'Cause there is no end.
'Cause only a fool lean upon -

Lean upon his own misunderstanding, oh ho, oh, yeah!
And then what has been hidden
From the wise and the prudent
Been revealed to the babe and the suckling
In everyt'ing, in every way, I say, yeah!

(We'll be forever loving Jah)
'Cause just like a tree planted - planted by the rivers of water

That bringeth forth fruits - bringeth forth fruits in due season;
Everything in life got its purpose,
Find its reason in every season,
Forever, yeah!

(We'll be forever loving Jah) On and on and on!
(We'll be forever loving Jah) We'll be forever, yes, yes -
we'll be forever.
(We'll be forever loving Jah)
41 | P a g e
The song titled Forever Loving Jah was released in the 1970s era by the trio band
named, The Wailers. It is the song in which Bob Marley is at his spiritual peek and
dedicates it to the Rastafaris in the bigger vision of spreading the culture. In the
introduction part of the song he uses many fillers that are in alignment with the beats.
He takes a rebellious approach in sending out the message in this song. Jah, is
believed by the cult as their God, who has resurrected in many forms including Jesus
Christ. He uses Jah as a synecdoche to represent the entire culture of Rastafari. In
the first verse of the song he writes that all the common men of Rastafari walking
on the streets are doing wrong to the rest of the world, consequently landing
themselves in the zone of torture by the administrators. But the path is beyond all
troubles. The path of humanity, the path on which many men and women can breathe
freely on the go. He talks to the Rastafaris in direct context by giving it a persona
and requesting them not to weep in pain for the solutions to destroy it can be
accomplished through praising Jah.
When the song touches the chorus part, Bob expresses his passionate love for the
God Jah and committedly says that he will never lose the true love for the almighty.
In the second verse of the song the singer says that he will give the old calamitous old
man a running stream of love which, in the lyrics, he has used it as a hyperbole. He
communicates to the larger audience about the torturous stages that they have been
put through and despite which they will never turn blue. Here, blue is a metaphor for
blood clot after extreme physical torment.
In the third verse, he denotes that only fools lean upon their own misunderstanding
and the elements that are hidden from the wise are always revealed to the babe and the
suckling. The connotation in this line is, the people are not being clever enough to
understand the concrete and hidden meanings in writings and are only concentrating
on the surface meaning of the writings. There are certain things that are hidden from
42 | P a g e
the wise and wise is used as a synecdoche to represent the more media aware section
of the population. He says that the wrong-doings by the administrators are hidden to
the rest of the world and is only revealed to the more callous people so that the intensity
of the torture only augments from there.
The fourth verse starts off with a simile where he compares the line on life to nature.
He writes that just the way a tree is planted by the rivers that fulfils his desires of hunger
life has its own way of purpose that must be discovered by the man himself. These
lines can also be taken into account as connotative meanings to them.
The song ends with the same chorus where Bob shows how much love he possesses
towards the God Jah and the word forever is used extensively to show the eternity
of love.
Song name: So long Rastafari call you
Lyrics: Bob Marley
Singer: Bob Marley
So long Rastafari call you,
So long!
So long!
And now the enemies surround you,
Trying to devour you.
43 | P a g e
So long!
So long Nyabinghi warn you,
So long!
So long Nyabinghi warn you,
So long!
For the ennemies surround you,
Trying to devour you.
So long Nyabinghi warn you
So long!
So very long! So very long!
So very long! So very long!
So long Nyabinghi yanting you,
So long!
So long Nyabinghi yanting you,
So long!
For the ennemies surround you
Trying to devour you,
So long Rastafari call you
So long!
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Bob Marley released this song exclusively on Rastafari in the late 1970s where he
takes the culture as a symbol to communicate to the audience. The communication
transmitted in this song is about how the culture of Rastafari has been polite enough
to call the humans towards to it. Unfortunately some segment of the population
despises of it and enforces the followers out of the beliefs connected to Rastafaris.
He denotes that Rastafari has been kind enough to call upon the humanity and
humans must reciprocate the same back to him.
In the second verse, Bob writes about Nyabinghi. Nyabinghi is the oldest of the
Mansions of Rastafari. These Rastafari are the strictest out of the six or so major
groups. They pledge "love to all human beings", and do not believe in violence, because
they believe that only Jah has the right to destroy. They make this pledge because of
the power of words, believing that only when all of Jah's children make the pledge
together, the oppressors will be destroyed. In addition, they are often non-violent or
follow the non-aggression principle. He denotes the warning given by the
Nyanbinghi mansion. The connotative meaning in it is, despite the small section
standing up for non-violence they have been ill-treated, consequently warning a caution
to the rest of the Rastafaris about the ill-treatments. Bob, in this song, has only
mentioned about the misfortunes that Rastafaris faced during the era. It is partly
informative with Nyabinghi coming into the picture and the words woven
wonderfully around the culture.
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(Image above showing Peter Tosh at a concert)
46 | P a g e
Analysis of Peter Tosh songs
Winston Hubert McIntosh, popularly known as Peter Tosh, which is his alter ego
name, was a Jamaican Reggae Artist who produced songs in the era of Bob Marley. He
was stage named, Stepping Razor due to his straight forward and bold lyrics in his
songs. He is best known for his single titled, Legalise It. Peter Tosh wrote lyrics on
the parallel lines of Bob Marley but was still considered one of the legends of
Reggae. He was part of the trio that consisted of himself, Robert Nesta Marley (Bob
Marley) and Neville O'Reilly Livingston (Bunny Wailer). The trio was named, The
Wailers. They produced musical orchestra at small pubs. They started singing
professionally in the year 1962 and then Peter Tosh started to sing solo songs from
there. Tosh was murdered by a five-member gunmen in the year 1987 after a torturous
period.
Name of the song: Legalize it
Lyrics: Peter Tosh
Singer: Peter Tosh
Legalize it, don't criticize it

Legalize it, yeah, yeah, and I will advertise it
Some call it tampee, tampee

Some call it the weed
Some call it marijuana, marijuana
Some of them call it ganja, ganja
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Every man got to legalize it, and don't criticize it
Legalize it yeah, yeah, and I will advertise it
Singers smoke it
And players of instrument too
Legalize it, yeah, yeah
That's the best thing you can do
Doctors smoke it, nurses smoke it

Judges smoke it, even the lawyer too
So you've got to legalize it, and don't criticize it

It's good for the flu, a good for asthma

Good for tuberculosis, even umara composis
Got to legalize it, don't criticize it

Legalize it, yeah, yeah, I will advertise it
Birds eat it, ants love it

Fowls eat it, goats love to play with it
So you've got to legalize it, don't criticize it

Keep on telling you, legalize it
Legalize it, was a solo song released by Peter Tosh in the year 1976. Tosh uses
Marijuana in this song as a symbol to directly communicate to the legal administrators
to cut all the barbed wires that surround the herb, Marijuana. He states that Marijuana
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be legalized due to its benefits to the mankind. He starts off the song with chorus where
he denotes the psychoactive drug be legalized and he will promote it by using the means
of advertisements. The connotative meaning behind this is, the singer desires the herb
to be legalized without any critics attached to it and he will spread the message of its
legalisation through the means of advertisements.
In the first verse of the song, he calls the drug by different names such as tampee,
weed and ganja which are dialects to the drug, Marijuana. In the next verse he
denotes the different professionals namely, doctors, lawyers, nurses and judges, who
smoke the psychoactive drug. He reasons out that due to the various spectrum of
professionals smoking it, it has to be taken into serious consideration about its
legalization. In the next verse of the song he denotes that Marijuana is good for
different humane diseases like asthma, tuberculosis and umara composis. In
these lines of the song, Tosh connotatively points out the medical benefits that
Marijuana possesses in healing certain dangerous diseases. The drug is used as an object
to communicate the benefits of it and the singer is trying to convey the message of
utilising the nature given herb to appropriate effect. In the next verse of the song he
denotes that the entire animal kingdom utilises Marijuana in some way or the other
exerting immense passion towards the herb.
Peter Tosh ends the song with an outro saying, Keep on telling you, legalize it, which
denotes that he is consistently conveying the message to the administrators about
legalizing Marijuana. The connotative meaning in this line is that Tosh reaches the
point of determination towards legalizing the herb with constant reminder and he will
never quit smoking Marijuana irrespective of the vibes in connection with it.
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Song on Rastafari Peter Tosh
Name of the song: Rastafari is
Lyrics: Peter Tosh
Singer: Peter Tosh
Rastafari Is
Lords of lords and savior
(Chorus)
He's the mighty

Mighty one
Thunderable
Thunderable one
Chorus
He's the omnipotent
Omnipotent one
Magnificent, super
Magnificent one
Chorus
You better worship

Worship him
You better praise,
Praise him
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Rastafari is was a solo song released in the year 1981. It was from the album Wanted
Dread and Alive. This is a song where Tosh writes exclusively about Rastafari
holding it in high regards and showering praises for its strength of existence. The song
starts off with the chorus where Tosh denotes that Rastafari is the lord of lords and
saviour. In a more concrete meaning, he connotes that the culture of Rastafari is well
decorated with strength and resilience which is precisely the reason he calls it Lords
of lords and Saviour.
In the first verse of the song he denotes that the culture of Rastafari is the mighty one.
As a contrast he connotes that the culture has survived and will always do irrespective
of the torturous stages it has been put through. He calls it a thunder which is a
hyperbole due to the exaggeration in the reference to the culture.
In the bridge of the song he denotes that the culture of Rastafari is omnipresent. He
connotes to spread the message that the culture of Rastafari is present in every part of
the world or atleast he desires to spread it that way.
In the second verse of the song he uses hyperboles in super and magnificent for the
culture of Rastafari.
In the final verse of the song he uses persuasive methods in his lyrics conveying to the
listener about worshipping the culture. He denotes to worship the culture and
connotes that there is no one bigger than Rastafari and must always be held in high
regards.
This was a song that Peter Tosh released in high praises for Rastafari as even he was a
committed unit of it. His collaboration with Bob Marley in the era of 1970s saw magic
in music with the two maestros in subliminal touch every time they swayed on the
stage.
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(Image above showing Sizzla with a joint)
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Analysis of the songs of Sizzla
Miguel Orlando Collins, stage named Sizzla is a Reggae artist and a committed
Rastafari who started his professional career in the year 1990 and still prevails. He
composes Reggae songs on the same parallels of the legends who started it all up,
legends like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The ideologies in his songs and that of
the legends share the same taste. The lyrics however, is slightly different catering to
the newer generation of people and their likes and dislikes. There is a significant
element of commercialisation in his songs as compared to the legends whose main aim
was to spread the message about Marijuana and Rastafari to the general public and
never really paid too much attention to promotions and branding of the songs. The
songs that were sung by the legends were sung with the singers diligently writing songs
on the then current issues that surrounded the culture and the herb. Another difference
in the era of music that the legends composed as opposed to that of the more recent
ones, is the narcissistic approach taken by the Reggae artists in composing the music.
The lyrics speak predominantly about the first person as a subject and his barriers that
he has to go through in following the culture of Rastafari and smoking the herb,
Marijuana.
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Name of the song: Smoke Marijuana
Lyrics: Sizzla
Singer: Sizzla
Yea (herbalist) smoke all day
Let music keep on play
Chorus:
Sometimes the things you need in life may be difficult
Not all the time its gonna be easy
A so it go
Smoke the marijuana and get high
Stay above the wicked and fly
Im feeling so very good about myself
Babylon aint feeling good damn thats there problem
I smoke the marijuana and get high
Ah when Ive got problem at home domestically
And my girl she just wanna quarrel me
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Love is the order of the day you better find it
Im a big man I put my problems behind me
Verse 1:
Cause Im so confident in myself
Theres nothing nor no one that could get to me
Not even the damn system so listen properly
Right now Im merry and cherry and living happily
If those Babylonians mess with us today the music a play
I smoke my problems away
Me an couple of my friends were just chilling on the corner
Listening to the music from Jamaica to Bahamas
Yea we decided to go link the farmer
Need something for the brain its the marijuana
Happy as a lord when the good vibes stir up
When the chanting start you get burn you few corrupt
We smoke all day an still we got the herbs or a ???
Dont you Babylon erupt
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We give thanks for this day we keep the meditation
Music and more music we burn the pagan
No if no buts no arguments
Marijuana is my only sacrament
Give thanks and praise ises high
All when Babylonians going down
Rasta man still request a hundred pound
Blaze up the chalice and we pass it around
And if Im a by myself I go smoke it alone
We got the skunk to make u drunk it make u rock it makes u bounce
We got the diesel the easel we go enough for the people
We got the hydro to rise you
Smoke and get wiser
Chalice hafe blaze we smoking purple haze
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Sometimes the things you need in life may be difficult
Not all the time its gonna be easy
A so it go
Im feeling so very good about myself
Pagans aint feeling good thats there problem
Ah when Ive got problem at home domestically
And my lady just wanna quarrel wit me
Love is the order of the day you got to find it
Im a big man an I put my problems behind me
The song titled, Smoke Marijuana was a song that was released in the year 2006 from
the album named, The Overstanding. Sizzla released albums since the 1990s but
attained fame with the release of the song Smoke Marijuana which is in direct
connection with the herb. In this song, the artist writes about his feelings that are
churned at the phase of mental elevation. He rebelliously states that he fears no one in
the world and he will do what he wants is right.
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The song starts off with the intro with the singer denoting that the herbalist smokes
Marijuana all day long and when he attains the state of mental advancement, he wishes
the music be played on. He has used herbalist as a metaphor for constant consumers
of Marijuana. The line, Let music keep on play is a dialect where the grammar alters
from the more conventional form to the Afro-American linguistic style.
When the song hits the chorus part, Sizzla takes a more philosophical approach in
conveying his message to the audience. He denotes that things that we can gain in life
are not always as simple as they look from the outward appearance. The connotative
meaning behind these lines being, the illegalisation of Marijuana and people having to
fight for what is right. He connotes that the herb is beneficial for the general public,
which is a final reward of life that has to be fought for against the lawful administrators.
The song touches down to verse where Sizzla preaches the listener to smoke Marijuana
and fly beyond the wicked which is classified under denotation. The connotative
meaning behind these lines being, the thought process inculcated by the wicked in
themselves must be shunned and taken beyond slavery, violence and discrimination
which can be attained through mental elevation. He denotes in the next line that he
feels good about himself. The connotation behind this line is that the singer feels free
from all the legal constraints in connection with Marijuana. Rastafaris despised of
Babylonian culture which is manifested in the following line where he denotes that
if they are not feeling good then they are responsible for their own deeds. He shows
his disinterest and lack of empathy towards the Babylonians due to their slavish
mentality which is a connotation. In the next few he writes about his personal
problems which are landing him into the zone of zero tolerance, but when he smokes
Marijuana and attains that mental elevation he thinks beyond humanity, which is
spirituality. He uses the word wicked as a synecdoche to represent the entire section
of population that has tortured him and the entire cult of Rastafaris physically, mentally
and emotionally. In the next segment of the lines he states explicitly about his internal
problems he faces with his girl and her quarrels with him. With all these problems
bottled up, the singer feels stifled with his life and connotes that the herb, Marijuana,
58 | P a g e
takes away all his inner sufferings and allows him to step in to an alternate world. He
has used love as being the order of the day. Here, love does not just mean the
conventional girl and boy romance, but spreading of tender affection to the wider
spectrum of the society. Towards the end of the first verse he denotes that he has
become the bigger man and has left his problematic past behind him. The connotation
behind this being, the singer is a present dweller and does not allow his personal
problems to affect his routine life.
In the second verse of the song, the singer confidently denotes that after having
reached the mental elevation there is no being on this earth to even close in on
troubling him. The connotation in this line signifies that the artist takes a rebellious
approach in conveying the message related to Marijuana. After smoking the herb, he
feels even the governing system of his region cannot harm him for his deeds since they
are moving along the right path. He connotes that he shall not be disturbed during his
attainment of mental elevation. The Babylonians have always been a major concern for
the Ratafaris and in a hyperbolic expression states that, he will smoke the problems
away. He skilfully compares the problems caused by the Babylonians to the smoke that
is generated by Marijuana and arrogantly makes a statement that he will clear his mind
of all the problems like a smoke. In the next segment of the verse, Sizzla denotes the
fun-time he had with his friends at his den by listening to music ranging from the
origination of Jamaica to Bahamas. The word farmer is used as a metaphor owing
to the Marijuanas attributes of being closely connected with the nature. The farmer
that is used as a metaphor acts like bridge between him and his friends and Marijuana
is referred to as a bridge in this context. In the final segment of the first verse he uses
the word lord as a metanomy to refer to Jah who is in the zone of joy forever and
Sizzla feels like he is closer to him after smoking Marijuana. He connotes that despite
him smoking Marijuana all day long he is left with abundance of stuff which goes to
show that he is a constant smoker of the herb. The word herb in this context is used
as a metanomy for Marijuana. The artist connotes his resentment towards
Babylonian culture as they had tried to suppress the Rastafaris. He clearly
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manifests that Marijuana is his only sacrament and he smokes it to attain the altitude
inside his mind. In this final segment he denotes that the Babylonians be going down
but Rastafari will still request for more weed. The connotative meaning being, even
after the Babylonians realise their futile battle against the Rastafaris and evict from
there dwellings, they will still request for more quantity of Marijuana. In the next line
he denotes that he would smoke the herb alone irrespective of being accompanied by
his friends or not. The connotation of the line refers to the passion he possesses for
smoking Marijuana despite the posing civil problems. In the following line he denotes
to the listener that, he has the skunk to make you drunk, rock and bounce. The
connotation behind this line is, the skunk is used as a metanomy to associate with
the herb, Marijuana. The phrase you drunk refers to the usage of it as a metaphor
for the attainment of mental elevation and the phrase you rock is also used as a
metaphor for the culture of Rastafaris being resilient in their approach of life. The
final phrase makes u bounce, being used as a metaphor for crazy times, travel times
and adventurous tours. He denotes that he has enough diesel to go through,
committing to the people. The connotation behind this is, the singer is subtly
mentioning about the amount of resources he possesses to fight the battle against his
enemies for all the Rastafaris. In the next segment of the verse he denotes that the
listener shall get wiser after smoking Marijuana. The connotation refers to the
situation where the listeners creative abilities get enhanced and the intensity of the
focus augments, consequently making one smarter and wiser. The following lines are
just the repeat of the chorus section of the song. The song is basically a composition
where the singer is trying to convey the idea through Marijuana and Rastafari to the
audience. He writes about Marijuana as a sacrament for the cult of Rastafari and clearly
manifests with concrete statements about wisdom and intelligence. The catchiest lines
in this song are
Smoke the marijuana and get high,
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portraying the strength that Marijuana possesses over the mind and directs humanity
towards the righteous path. The second part refers to their enemies as wicked and with
smoking the herb any being would consider thinking beyond the wicked section of the
people in this world and escape into the zone of aversion. This is a song that had many
hits on the YouTube channel and attained fame due to the subtle changes in his music
and lyrics.
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Song on Rastafari Sizzla
Name of the song: Rastafari Teach I Everything
Lyrics: Sizzla
Singer: Sizzla
Children read and educate yourself
Learn to behave yourself
Famous for you character and intelligence
Go ahead don't you destroy yourself
Conquer the place enjoy yourself
It's all yours
[CHORUS:]
Rastafari teach I everything yea ah
Never deny yourself for anything
Survival is the very thing yea ah
Yea ya know
Rastafari give I everything yea ah
Yea ah
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Inna the ghetto mi say ah there we live
Ey ey
The people in the earth and now they rough
Activated by the laws of nature ya
Magnetised by the words, your blessing come
Everyone is looking out for progress yaw oh
The earth is our very place,
where the flowers bloom
Every colour with many shapes ya
If you want the grass and the sun glaze
There should be no hate for heaven's sake
[CHORUS:]
Never deny yourself for anything ow
Ey ey ey
Rastafari give I everything yea ah
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Mama Africa
Ey ey whoa oh
Nah cease no fire 'caus we family so poor
The message of Rastafari open up every door
The black culture, black people keep asking for more
Got to be sure, the birthright of Israel secure
It take the zeal and the vigor,
by now lab have the cure
Must afi make it from yuh clean and pure
Bruk mi bread and come mek we share it
this ah the only way me know
All with one another inna the light it affi show
the blessings from ceiling to floor
[CHORUS:]
Rastafari teach I everything whoa
Never deny yourself for anything yea ey
Survival is the very thing whoa ah
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Whoa ya woy
Rastafari give I everything whoa ah
Ghetto youth
Ey ey ey
Man as a warrior come to teach whoa
I say to put the food in the children reach
The earth is a well spread table you better see it
Shall be good to the meek, yo hostality get ah beatin
[CHORUS:]
Inna everything whoa
King Selassie I him teach I everything whoa ah
Ey ey
Read and educate yourself
Learn to behave yourself
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Famous for you character and intelligence
Go ahead don't you destroy yourself
Conquer the place enjoy yourself
It's all yours
Never deny yourself for anything, nuttin at all
King Selassie I teach I everything whoa ah
Ey ey ey ey
The people in the earth and now they rough
Activated by the laws of nature ya
Magnetised by the words, your blessing come
Everyone is looking out for progress yaw
The earth is our very place,
where the flowers bloom
Every colour with many shapes ya
If you want the grass and the sun glaze
Do it for me please no hate for heaven's sake
[CHORUS:]
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Rastafari teach I everything whoa ah
Never deny yourself for anything ah ay
That's the very thing whoa ah
Yea
Jah Jah teach I everything whoa ah
This was a song that was composed and released in the year 2001 by modern Reggae
artist, Sizzla. It was a title track from the album Rastafari Teach I Everything. Sizzla
compiled this track keeping in mind the culture of Rastafari where he prepares
himself for a lecture to the children. He denotes that every child must be free from all
the mental problems and this world is your kingdom, squeeze it and own it. The entire
song is about the culture of Rastafari being at the pinnacle that, directly or indirectly,
teaches humans one or the other life lesson necessary for survival.
When the song touches down to the section of chorus, the singer writes that Rastafari
is something that teaches us many elements to life. He denotes that the culture has
many things to teach and the common man must never deny the pieces of advice given
by it due to the significance of survival. The line, Survival is the very thing yea ah, has
been used as a dialect. The phrase the very thing refers to nothing else other than
survival. The singer with a loud-mouthed pen, writes that with the then present
situation there is no other thing as significant or valuable as survival and these survival
instincts are well-taught by the culture of Rastafari which is a connotation.
The song touches down to the verse section where Sizzla denotes that the humanity
that dwells in the present are rough and activated by the laws of nature. Rastafaris were
always forced to evict from there dwellings due to their lifestyles and their appearances.
67 | P a g e
The culture is used as a symbol to convey messages to the general audience where the
singer denotes that the laws of nature are magnetised by the words. The connotative
meaning of this line refers to, the Rastafaris being shunned down by the words of their
higher society. The laws of nature can never be challenged but only abided by and these
laws are closely knitted with the blessings sent from up above. The lines are slightly
difficult to be deconstructed due to the wide spectrum of perceptions that can be
inferred from them. He denotes that the earth is their place and there is no one that
can take that away from the Rastafaris. This segment describes the nature and its
surroundings specifically, the earth due to its humility to hold humanity despite the
ruckus created by him. He denotes that the flowers bloom and number of shapes and
colours that surround this wonderful planet. He ends the verse with touching lines that
advise towards achieving love towards the mother earth and never hate it for it has
given the humanity a life of opportunities to be captured upon. After the end of the
first verse the song harps along same chorus that is pure magic to the ears.
The song brings the listener down to the second verse where Sizzla almost commands
the listener of the song not to cease fire due to the poverty stricken at the Rastafaris.
Here fire is used as a metaphor for intense desire for freedom from the slavish
mentality. He explicitly denotes that the message conveyed by the Rastafaris opens up
all the doors towards the light. He uses the words Black culture"as a metanomy which
is a substituted association of words for Afro-Americans culture. This section of
people seek for more and more due to their treatment by the members of the higher
society including that of the Babylonian culture. In the next line Sizzla mentions about
Birthright of Israel which is a not-for-profit organization connected to education
that sponsors a cost-free heritage trips to Israel for Jewish young adults, aged 1826.
This trip goes on for ten days. He denotes that this expedition or the members
responsible for such a noble cause must be secure. In connotation to the same line,
he refers to the Rastafaris as rebellions and whoever tries to shun the Jews, the
Rastafaris will negate the force exerted by the members of the higher society. In the
final segment of the verse, the artist denotes that sharing the bread with the needy is
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the only way he knows to lead his life. In connotation to the same line, he uses the
word bread as a synecdoche for everyday meals. He writes that, the struggling
cultures can approach him for his help to lead a better life for he is more than willing
to share his bread with the needy. The next line is skilfully written where he has used
words like ceiling and floor as a metaphor for heaven and earth respectively from
which blessings descend down.
In the final verse of the song he denotes that a man of a warriors status has come
down to teach but he wishes to put some food in the childrens reach as the earth is a
huge table on which food can be served. He states that, the earth is a gentle friend to
the humble and a colossal to the hostile segment of people. In connotation to the
same line Sizzla writes, a man of a warriors status will only spread vengeance and rage
but he will take the alternate path in spreading love and peace towards the needy. He
requests the entire world to work for a noble cause as there are many people who are
in need of daily bread but do not have enough resources to get them. At the end of the
verse he mentions that the mother earth will reap according to the deeds of humanity.
Towards the end of the repetitive chorus, he takes the name of King Sellasie 1 who
was Ethiopia's regent from 1916 to 1930 and Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974.
He is regarded as an idol for the Rastafaris.
This song is based on the culture of Rastafari and when the song touches down to
the bridge part, he writes about the significance of education advising the listener not
to destroy himself and take care of self on this planet as it is the place that one is blessed
with and one can enjoy oneself to the fullest.
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(Image showing Ras Mathew)
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Analysis of the songs Ras Mathew
Matt Pailes, stage named Ras Matthew, is a Reggae artist from Sacramento,
California. His music leans into a rhythmic hug on the spiritual healing experience
of the herb. One need not be a Rastafari to understand his universal message of peace,
healing and brotherhood through the ingestion of the sacrament of cannabis. His music
revolves around the genres of Reggae, Roots Reggae and Hip Hop where he uses these
three components and mixes sounds along the parallel lines.
His music is along the same lines of Sizzla considering the era. Although Ras Mathew
is a new kid in the block he is fast gaining popularity owing to his recent releases of
two albums namely, Perseverance being the debut one and Kingsmusic, being the
other. Ras Mathew is the only white Reggae artist who has attained the phase of fame.
Yet again his music is simple in understanding and clear in delivering the desired
message.
Name of the song: Ganja In My Brain
Singer: Ras Mathew
Lyrics: Ras Mathew
Ganja in my meditation, Ganja in my brain,
Ganja will take away my stress and strain,
Marijuana take away my stress and pain,
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Ganja is the medication, Ganja is the cure,
Police have been fighting Marijuana for sure,
Purify me heavens and make me feel pure,
Hundred ways to Cali
Ganja in me meditation, Ganja in my clothes,
No offence I'm smokin Marijuana around you,
Ganja in me daily, Ganja me currency,
Ganja is the currency and daily bread,
Give me revelation is the stuff which gets to my head and it's been growing so long that's why we call it
love spread,
Ganja for the living and it not for the dead, couple puffs of smoke before me go onto bed,
Give praise to Jah and shake out me dead,
Ganja Weed Cali, Eh,
Ganja in me meditation, Ganja in me brain,
Police have been fighting Marijuana for sure well,
Ganja in me meditation, Ganja in my brain,
Well Ganja is the medication, Ganja is the cure
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Police have been fighting Marijuana for sure well,
Ganja is my sword from Solomons grave,
I think
Ganja in my head that are not quite the same,
Same family, Same plant, Different name,
Jamaica's love spreads calling Ganja,
America's people smoke Ganja in the car,
I'm not gonna stop smoking my herbs, well,
Am I gonna stop? NO
I'm not gonna stop smoking my herbs,
If they get me in touch with the Earth,
Make me give thanks for what life is worth,
Two-Hundred trees, sweet trees blowing in the breeze,
When I look out to my yards and fields,
That's how I feel, it's so real,
So good I feel, gaze out from my window seat, keeping what I sow,
To the
Two-Hundred Cali trees there blowing in the breeze,
Ganja take away my stress and me pain,
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Police have been fighting Marijuana for sure,
Purify my heavens and make my thoughts pure,
Hundred way
Ganja in me daily, Ganja in my clothes,
No offence I'm smokin Marijuana around you,
Ganja is the currency, Ganja daily bread,
Give me
Ganja for the living and it not for the dead,
Couple sniff of Cali before me go to bed,
Make me shake up me
Ganja is my currency, Ganja daily bread,
Give me the Marijuana let it get to my head,
Ganja is my meditation, Ganja in my brain,
Police fighting Marijuana for sure,
Jamaica's love spreads calling Ganja,
America's people smoke Ganja in the car,
I'm not gonna stop smoking my herbs, If they get me in touch with the Earth,
Two-Hundred Ganja trees there blowing in the breeze,
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Hundred Weed Trees blowing in the breeze when me look out to yard and me field,
As I gaze out from my window seat,
It's so real so good that I feel, keeping what I sow,
To the watching Ganja grow well,
Ganja is me medication, Ganja is the cure,
Police fighting Marijuana for sure,
Cause it purifies my heaven and make my thoughts pure,
Ganja Cali Weed
Ganja in me daily, Ganja in my clothes,
No offence if I'm smoking Marijuana around you,
Ganja Weed is the currency and the daily bread,
sweet Ganja get to my head,
And Say, Give me the Marijuana
Jamaica the love spreads calling Ganja,
America the people smoke Ganja in the car,
I'm not gonna stop smoking my herbs,
If they get me in touch with the Earth,
Two-Hundred Weed trees blowing in the breeze,
Ganja in me meditation in my brain,
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The song titled Ganja in My Brain was a popular piece of art from the album titled
Perseverance. It is a song in which Ras Mathew has explicitly stated the uses of
Marijuana and its applications in this world. He writes that the herb is present in
every aspect of life.
The song starts off with the chorus where the artist denotes that ganja is present in
his meditation and his brain. In connotation of the same line, Ras has smoked the
herb and attained mental elevation before writing the song which is why he says that it
is present in his meditation and in his brains. This is the line that is used as an anchor
around which other elements of the lyrics are constructed. In the next line he denotes
that Marijuana takes away all the stress and pain. Ras is not a Rastafari but has written
lyrics putting himself in place of the committed Rastafaris who faced rigorous actions
by their higher counterparts. In this song he refers to Marijuana as an object that is
used as medicine and many deadly diseases can be cured by smoking this herb. He has
used the line Ganja is the cure as a hyperbole owing to the exaggeration portrayed
in the lyrics. Ganja, in itself does not have 100% curing properties in it to tackle the
deadly diseases. Police, who are the legal guardians, have been fighting against it all
time long but the singer does care less about the legal constraints that surround the
herb. In the next line, in a denotative manner, he asks the heavens to purify him. In
connotation to the same line, he calls out for God to remove all the impure thoughts
that he had had and make him a pure person. This justifies the Reggae music in
connection with Marijuana and Rastafari. In the following line he denotes that there
are hundred ways to reach Cali. Ras has used the word Cali as a metanomy used
for Marijuana that originates from California. Ras, in his following line, has also
concentrated on the industrial benefits that Marijuana gives. He states that ganja is in
his clothes manifesting the alternate use of weed. The strings of the cannabis plant is
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stronger than that of jute. He takes the listener to the place where problems are and
allows them to come out of it without anybodys help, except for one, Marijuana". He
states the fact that the herb is his currency which is cleverly used as a metanomy for
the economy of the world. In the next segment of the verse he denotes that revelation
is the stuff which climbs on to his head that grows eternally, consequently allowing the
smoke and related messages to spread. In connotation to the same line, he has
beautifully compared the spread of the smoke to that of love and believes that love can
be spread as wide and far as the smoke of Marijuana spreads. Ras denotes that the
herb is not for the dead but for the living. In this line he connotes that by smoking
weed will never land one on the death bed but gives life to the already living human.
The artist denotes he be shaken out of his death by calling the lords of lords, Jah.
When the song hits the second verse, Ras takes himself to an alternative psychotic
elevation in which he feels that the altitude has varied. The lyrics has stated the fact
that Marijuana is being called by different names which the artist has clearly denoted.
He writes that people from all over the world especially the ones from Jamaica and
America which is denoted by the singer. In the latter segment of the verse, he
adamantly displays his passion for the herb by denoting that if he is allowed to touch
down upon the earth he would witness the cannabis plants flowing along with the
breeze which is visually witnessed by the artist owing to the mental elevation. Ras says
that whatever feeling it might be, the trees are moving with the breeze. Here, again the
artist is directly connecting Marijuana with the nature. In the following lines, there is a
repetition of the chorus part that ends with the start of a new verse. He ends the song
with touching lines
As I gaze out from my window seat,
It's so real so good that I feel, keeping what I sow,
To the watching Ganja grow well,
in which he connotes that he feels free from all the administrative constraints and
is just freely looking at the ganja tree grow along with him.
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The song talks extensively about Marijuana where the artist has constructed lyrics
around the herb. It is a sheer display of passion towards it. Ganja is a herb that is
used in various sectors such as, medicine, industry and more. Towards the end of the
song, Ras portrays the touch of sensitivity towards Cannabis.
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Rastafari song analysis Ras Mathew
Name of the song: No Man Greater Than Jah
Lyrics: Ras Mathew
Singer: Ras Mathew
Chorus
No Man is Greater than Jah,
So why you forcing your all will,
No man is greater than Jah,
So why you forcing your all,
The song titled, No Man Greater Than Jah, is the most recent song from the album
titled Perseverance. An excerpt is extracted from the song lyrics which is the chorus
part that talks about their lord Jah, who is the almighty and no human is greater than
him, denotes Ras Mathew. The artist in this song has already reached a conclusive
statement of the lord being the mightiest and it is futile of a man to even force his will
in order to attain that position. Ras Mathew, just like other Reggae artists, believes
strongly in the culture of Rastafari and has written a song around it. Ras has used the
word man as a synecdoche to represent the entire humanity. The artist has used the
word blood-shed in order to signify the violent treatments received by the Rastafaris
from their higher counterparts. On the whole this song speaks about man not having
the supreme power and there is only Lord in this world which is Jah. All the praises
have been showered upon him in order to hold him in high regards.
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Ras Mathew in the recent times have been in the limelight for his music and everyone
wishes to hear more songs from him on Rastafari and Marijuana. He sang songs
combining different elements of music genres that he specialises in. His music, as
compared to Sizzla is more on the innovative and experimental side. As compared
to the legends of Reggae music, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, the lyrics are not as
concrete as they used to be in association with the maestros.
Interpretation of the Reggae songs
As witnessed in all the Bob Marley songs, he has used Marijuana as an extensive
element to communicate to the listener. He has done this by giving several angles to
the drug and has given his own justification about the reasons as to why it so beneficial
for humanity. He always had a bigger picture in his music which is clearly evident in
his lyrics. He has compared Marijuana to the Mother Nature in most of his songs and
created a path for his descendants to follow along. The thing to be taken into account
is the range of spectrum of lyrics that is designed around Marijuana. He has focused
not only on the medical aspects, but also on the industrial aspects of it in the form of
hemp. He has hyperbolically expressed that Marijuana can save a falling economy
which has a direct connection to hemp. Also, to lighten the thoughts about the drug in
the minds of the audience, he composed the song titled Ganja Gun where he has
used many fillers and some dainty words about Marijuana. The song conveys a
message to the listener, which is mental elevation attained with friends is necessary to
lighten up the intense situations that a man goes through every day in his life and this
serene state can only be achieved through the means on Marijuana smoking. The
studies conducted on this herb prior to this are proven in the lyrics of his songs. The
song titled I Smoke Two Joints is also on the parallel ledge with Ganja Gun, but
it conveys the message of passion portrayed towards Marijuana in a more intense way.
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This is his personal and rebellious take on the drug where he mentions about smoking
it before and after his everyday activities and the aftermath of which makes him feel
free from all the discriminations. Kaya is a song that gives a metaphorical meaning
to the song. As Kaya stands for purity, Bob writes that Marijuana shares the same form
as it purifies the internal system of a human being leading him to the path of spirituality.
This is a song that touched many hearts due to the connotative meaning behind it that
stands for purity. The songs titled Legalize Marijuana and Pass the Marijuana
possess similar meanings to it. The lyrics of both the songs are concrete where the
singer writes about various issues surrounding Marijuana and eventually requesting the
legal administrators to take a stand in undertaking the required proceedings. The
significance of these songs are education and information. Bob Marley, in both these
songs, has made committed efforts to provide information to the listener about
Marijuana. Bobs reverence in Jamaica is predominantly due to his commitment
and contributions towards Rastafari. The culture of Rastafari that is wrongly
considered by a few segment of the world as a religion, is mentioned in the songs in
some way or another. Apart from mentioning about Rastafari in his lyrics, Bob also
composed a few songs titled, So Long Rastafari and Loving Jah Rastafari that are
built around the culture of Rastafari where he talks about the slavish conditions that
they dwelled in. He states that there are many enemies against the culture that have to
be fought against and provides the listener with ample amount of information about it
creating rebellious traces along which he reasons the listeners to walk. The problems
that the Rastafaris faced as mentioned earlier in this study are manifested in his lyrics.
His lyrics portrayed the amount of passion that dwelled in him about Marijuana and
Rastafari culture.
On the same lines along with Bob Marley, emerged another legend in Peter Tosh.
Toshs music was more or less similar except for his works were bassier. The lyrics of
his songs on Marijuana were more to do with commercialisation of the herb and
indirectly conveying the message of purity using ganja as a symbol. In the song
Legalise it, the artist has pressed on the legalisation of the herb. Unlike Bob,
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Tosh was not so descriptive with his lyrics. For instance, Bob used lines like smoking
Marijuana in a bong which is about two long. Tosh was straight forward and simple
with his lyrics in comparison with Bob who was highly creative with his line
constructions on Marijuana. Tosh mentions that every being on this planet needs
weed to live on and the legal administrators are not in support of the same. Also, he
has referred to Marijuana as a disease curing drug that cures deadly ailments such as
tuberculosis and Umara Composis. In another song composed, written and sung by
Peter Tosh, he describes what Rastafari is. He writes that Rastafaris Lord is
present everywhere and in all corners. Tosh writes with persuasion about worshipping
and praising the lord Jah. Peter Tosh will always be remembered for his simplicity
yet his impudence in his messages using Marijuana as a symbol.
Enter the modern era, enter another legend in the making, Sizzla. His songs involve
more musical variations. Sizzla, as mentioned before, takes the narcissistic approach
in his lyrics. Bob and Tosh had set the benchmark for Reggae music that is still under
almost no threat. Sizzla addresses the problems that are connected to his own and
brings out ways in which he can surpass them. Sizzla, had released his song named
Smoke Marijuana in which he rebelliously condemns the governing system for not
having legalised the herb. This goes to show that the intensity that was generated by
the legends is being retained in Reggae form of music. The fire in the Reggae artists
has not stubbed off and until then keep the music on! Sizzla too, just like many other
artists, was a committed Rastafari and wrote songs pertaining to the subject. The songs
that were composed on Rastafari have not changed much since the era of legends. The
agitation, vengeance and rage still persists due to the ill-treatments they had to go
through.
In the more recent times, a promising youth from California entered into the scene.
He was then named, Ras Mathew who is known for his collaboration of music and
his musical innovations. His music and lyrics are slightly twisted and since he is a new
kid in the block, he is still finding his anchor around which he can construct his works.
The song Ganja in my Brain was a widespread due to his music and its lyrics. Just like
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the legends have followed a particular pattern of rhymes and rambles, Ras Mathew
mentions the benefits of Marijuana and its alternative uses other than smoking which
is in the form of hemp. Sailing along the same shore, Ras also writes about spreading
love and has beautifully compared the smoke spread to the spread of love. Even the
legends drew lines on the similar track. He mentions that Marijuana is the currency for
a nation as it generates revenue for the government in the form of hemp. Ras
Mathew, although not being a committed Rastafari, wrote lyrics on the culture. Thats
the hallmark of a true artist where he himself hasnt been in that zone but takes the
readers and listeners to the place beyond that precinct. It is basically creating pictures
with words. In a song he has composed about Rastafari, he takes the philosophical
route in conveying messages about man being always more feeble than Lord. No man
is greater than Lord.
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Summary
Back in the 17th and 18th century, slaves were traded to and fro. During this
time period there was a small cult that was formed called, Rastafari.
Rastafaris were ill-treated in every aspect of life. In every field they were judged
based on the outward appearance.
The economy of Jamaica heavily depended on the agriculture before the
Industrial Revolution. Post to it, the standard of living improved marginally
with economy being shifted to Reggae music, mining and tourism.
Reggae music, a form of musical art that originated in Jamaica was always
considered to be the music that was composed where the singers wrote
predominantly on Marijuana and the culture of Rastafari. But there was a
misconception among the common that the Reggae musicians wrote lyrics
around insignificant elements like Marijuana and Rastafarianism.
Reggae music originated from Jamaica with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh being
the sublime stars who were part of the trio-band named, The Wailers.
Bob Marley and Peter Tosh composed songs relating predominantly to the
herb, Marijuana and the culture of Rastafari.
They composed songs, analysis of which are under the heading Methodology.
From the analysis it can be interpreted that they wrote songs after reaching the
mental elevation and psychologically reached the heavens. This spirituality is
manifested by the legendary artists like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh and the
modern artists like Ras Mathew and Sizzla.
The Rastafari lifestyle changed minimally and were always striving for the
ultimate goal of freedom.
Then came the modern Reggae stars in Sizzla and Ras Mathew who are
travelling along the same lane as the legends by composing Reggae songs
around Marijuana and Rastafarianism and their connection.
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The music got enhanced a little keeping the basic musical texture intact. These
advancements took place owing to the technological progress in the music
industry.
Their ideologies did not differ much from the ones the world idolizes.
There is an era of musical transition from Bob Marleys songs to Ras Mathews
modern innovation.
In between there have been a few Reggae artists such as Sean Paul and Shaggy
whose primary goal was to bring the Reggae form of music to the commercial
forefront.
This study is concluded in view of strengthening the substantiation of the connection

among three focus areas, Marijuana, Reggae music form and Rastafarianism.
Conclusion
In the period of 1930s, Cannabis was renamed as Marijuana to assist in demonizing

the substance with discrimination, particularly racism, aimed at Mexicans and Afro-
American musicians playing their Jazz music which was considered as Satanic.
Unfortunately, this mislead myth of renaming the herb to Marijuana worked, and the
general public still dwells in the world where Cannabis is seen as an evil drug. This
study was conducted in order to clear the misconceptions about Marijuana in
connection with Reggae music and Rasta. The herb was the primary focus area that the
Rastafaris wanted to change and fix. They tried achieving this through one of the art
forms, hence the origination of Reggae music genre.
Back in the era of 1970s, the songs were serene, jovial, lyrical and spiritual but most
importantly they were magical. Rastas use cannabis as a part of their worshiping of
God, Bible study and meditation. Rastafari see cannabis as a sacramental and deeply
85 | P a g e
beneficial plant that is the Tree of Life mentioned in the Bible. Bob Marley and
many others have quoted that the herb is the healing of all nations. The use of Cannabis
is an integral part of what Rastafaris call "reasoning sessions" where Rastafari members
join together to discuss issues relating to life from a Rastas perspective. The messages
that were conveyed to the general audience were never erroneous which is manifested
in the Song analysis section. Through the process of the entire research study a vital
conclusion can be drawn upon. There is a well-knitted connection among the three
main focus segments in this study which are, Marijuana, the Rastafaris and Reggae
music. The Rastafaris were ill-treated in every aspect of life with intense physical,
mental and emotional afflicts. They could very easily have rebelliously fought against
their enemies. Instead they spread messages regarding spirituality, motivation,
inspiration, peace and harmony through Reggae songs using Marijuana as a medium of
communication. They thrived on achieving this through an art form because art
touches the heart and exerts feelings from within. Hence the origination of Reggae
music. All the Reggae artists started to convey messages in relation with peace and
harmony in their music. Marijuana was used as a symbol to deliver such messages.
In the earlier times of the era of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh the lyrics were more
concrete and had depth in them due to multiple adoptions of subject matters. Major
part of the lyrics was aesthetic in its physical form. The modern Reggae artists are
floating along the path that was created by the legends. Jamaica was a country where
economy was always low. Marijuana, if legalised, was considered the saviour of the
economy because of its industrial uses. There are articles undertaken in this research
study which is in relation with the current economic situation of Marijuana to
substantiate the usage of the herb mentioned in some of the Reggae songs sung by
legends like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh and the modern stars like Sizzla and Ras
Mathew.
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Bibliography
Barnett, M. (2005). The many faces of Rasta: Doctrinal Diversity within the Rastafari
Movement. Caribbean Quarterly,Vol. 51, No. 2 (June 2005), pp. 67-78.
Bloom, F. (1984). Marijuana Culture. Antioch Review, Inc.
Erb, K. P. (2014). Forbes. It's No Toke: Colorado Pulls In Millions In Marijuana Tax Revenue.
Hamid, A. (2002). The Ganja Complex, Rastafari and Marijuana. United States of America:
Lexington Books.
Harvey, S. (2006). Marijuana and Jamaica. New York: Penguin.
Kelly-Detwiler, P. (2014). The Straight Dope: Marijuana Cultivation Uses A Lot Of Electricity.
Forbes.
Lee, H. (1999). The First Rasta, Leonard Howell and the Rise of Rastafarianism. Chicago
Review Press, Inc.
Lieber, M. (1981). Rastafari Voices. American Anthropologist,New Series, Vol. 83, No. 3 (Sep.,
1981), pp. 744-745.
Maegaard, J. B. (1982). Reggae. Fontes Artis Musicae,Vol. 29, No. 4 (Oktober-Dezember

1982), pp. 182-186.
Rubenstein, H. (1995). Mirror for the Other: Marijuana, Multivocality and the Media in an
Eastern Caribbean Country. Canadian Anthropology Society.
Strauss, K. (2014). Forbes. Big Marijuana: Is It The Future?
Sullum, J. (2014). As Colorado Loosened Its Marijuana Laws, Underage Consumption And
Traffic Fatalities Fell.
Vardi, N. (2014). Forbes. Inside The Pot Stock Bubble.
Walton, A. G. (2014). Forbes. Why Synthetic Marijuana Is More Toxic To The Brain Than Pot.
William, F. L. (1993). Soul Rebels, The Rastafari. United States of America: Waveland Press.
Wood, R. W. (2014). Corporate Cannabis? Legal Marijuana Goes Legit. Forbes.
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Online Sources
http://www.azlyrics.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/music.shtml
http://www.oneworldmagazine.org/focus/etiopia/rasta.html
http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/skowera.html
http://debate.uvm.edu/dreadlibrary/skowera.html
https://www.google.co.in/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=mEVDVNvYGNC4uASaiIC
QAg&ved=0CAQQqi4oAg
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Portrayal of Marijuana in Reggae Music & Introduction of Rastafarianism - Thesis 2015 ManipalUniversity

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A Study of Marijuana as a Symbolic

Representation in Reggae Music and

I hereby declare that the dissertation entitled, A Study of

This dissertation was carried out under the supervision of my

ACCEPTED/REJECTED ACCEPTED/ REJECTED

Chapter 2: Review of Literature......8

Chapter 4: Analysis and Interpretation.21

Chapter 5: Summary and Conclusion....84

Marijuana, or what is popularly called as ganja by the Rastas, is viewed as a spiritual

In a popular music genre of Reggae, ganja is a symbol that is portrayed as a medium

(White, 2007) & (Simpson, 1985)

Repatriation is a distinct objective of the organization.

Marijuana is a religious sacrament.

The Twelve Tribe house still acknowledges Vernon Carrington, otherwise

The house of The Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (BoboShante)

In another article by Peter Kelly-Detwiller, states that Marijuana cultivation consumes

To analyse the significance of Marijuana in the lyrics of Reggae songs

The methodology that is engaged in this research is of the qualitative type.

Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure and American philosopher Charles Saunders

Connotation Connotation refers to the additional and interpretative meaning

Lyrics of the song:

Song title: Legalise Marijuana

Singer: Bob Marley

Lyrics: Bob Marley

Warning - The surgeon general warns

Then legalize marijuana

Legalize marijuana yeah

And there'll be no more need

Lyrics of the song

Song Name: Smoke 2 joints

Singer: Bob Marley

Lyrics: Bob Marley

I smoke two joints in the morning

mama she always told me son you really have it bad

I smoke two joints in the morning

one peace one time

Song name: Pass the Marijuana

Singer: Bob Marley

Lyrics: Bob Marley

I said you numb my feelings and now I feel okay

Pass the marijuana, give Jah thanks and praise today

I like it when you roll it up real nice

I said you numb my feelings and now I feel okay

I like it when you pack it up in a pipe

Puff the magic Buddha here I come once again

I said you numb my feelings and now I feel okay

Pass the marijuana, give Jah thanks and praise today

Thank god we passed 215, we legalized the green

I like it in a Buddha bong, bout two feet long

Pass the marijuana, pass the marijuana my way.

Lyrics of the Song

Song name: Ganja Gun

Lyrics: Bob Marley

Singer: Bob Marley

I'm gonna smoke'a de ganja until I go blind.

You know I smoke'a de ganja all a de time.

Smoke'a de ganja when I'm with friends.

Whoo-oo Ganja ganja

Whoo-oo Ganja gun

Whoo-oo Ganja ganja

Whoo-oo Ganja gun

Whoo-oo Ganja ganja

Whoo-oo Ganja gun