First published in 1979, this book makes a detailed study of Rastafarianism. It traces the expansion of Rastafarian culture from its origins and development in Jamaica through to the growth of Rastafarian life in Britain. It looks at Rastafarian culture in England in the late 1970s based on the author's intimate experiences and communications with followers of the movement.

E. Cashmore

Preface 1. Introduction: The Sociological Interest in Rasta 2. The Rastaman in Jamaica 3. From Evasion to Truculence 4. Rasta Renaissance 5. The Journey to Jah 6. Echoes of Suffering 7. Creating Rastafarian Reality 8. In search of the True Self 9. Encounters in Babylon 10. The Handsworth Panic 11. Conclusion: The Spell of Africa; Appendix: Statement of a Rastaman; Bibliography; Index