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128-597: Black Cultural Archives ( BCA ) is an archive and heritage centre in Brixton , London , devoted to the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain. Also known as BCA, it was founded in 1981, by educationalist and historian Len Garrison and others. BCA's mission is to record, preserve and celebrate the history of people of African descent in Britain . The BCA's new building in Brixton , opened in 2014, enables access to
256-504: A covenant with him and thus have a special responsibility. Rastafari espouses the view that this, the true identity of black Africans, has been lost and needs to be reclaimed. There is no uniform Rasta view on race . Black supremacy was a theme early in the movement, with the belief in a distinctly black African race that was superior to other racial groups. This has opened the religion to accusations of racism . While some Rastas still hold such beliefs, black supremacy has waned in
384-465: A literalist interpretation of its contents. Rastas regard the Bible as an authentic account of early black African history and of their place as God's favoured people. They believe the Bible to be key to understanding both the past and the present and for predicting the future, while also regarding it as a source book from which they can form and justify their beliefs and practices. Rastas commonly perceive
512-506: A new social movement , and a cultural movement. Many Rastas or Rastafarians—as practitioners are known—nevertheless dislike the labelling of Rastafari as a "movement". In 1989, a British Industrial Tribunal concluded that, for the purposes of the Race Relations Act 1976 , Rastafarians could be considered an ethnic group because they have a long, shared heritage which distinguished them from other groups, their own cultural traditions,
640-648: A "radical, even revolutionary" stance on socio-political issues, particularly regarding race, with a "profoundly traditional" approach on other issues. Rastas typically look critically upon modern capitalism, instead favouring small-scale, pre-industrial and agricultural societies. Some Rastas have promoted activism for socio-political reform, while others believe in awaiting change that will be brought about through divine intervention. In Jamaica, Rastas typically do not vote, dismissing politics as "politricks", and rarely involve themselves in political parties or unions. The Rasta tendency to believe that socio-political change
768-415: A 20-storey tower block providing office space were unveiled by Taylor McWilliams - a Texan property developer whose company Hondo Enterprises had bought Brixton Market in 2018. This plan drew a large opposition from the local community and campaign groups, already concerned with the threat of eviction of a popular local supermarket. Despite a petition and overwhelming opposition, council planners approved
896-499: A Biblical prophecy. By the 1950s, Rastafari's countercultural stance had brought the movement into conflict with wider Jamaican society, including violent clashes with law enforcement. Early Rastafari often espoused black supremacy as a form of opposition to white supremacy, but this has gradually become less common since the 1970s. In the 1960s and 1970s, it gained increased respectability within Jamaica and greater visibility abroad through
1024-481: A campaign poster leading up to the 1992 election "What does the Conservative Party offer a working class kid from Brixton? They made him Prime Minister." The 1995 riots were sparked by the death of a black man, Wayne Douglas, in police custody and occurred in an atmosphere of discontent about the gentrification of Brixton. In April 1999, Brixton Market was the site of the first of three attacks known as
1152-489: A common language, and a common religion. Rastafari has continuously changed and developed, with significant doctrinal variation existing among practitioners depending on the group to which they belong. It is not a unified movement, and there has never been a single leader followed by all Rastafari. It is thus difficult to make broad generalisations about the movement without obscuring the complexities within it. The scholar of religion Darren J. N. Middleton suggested that it
1280-523: A design motif inspired by Coldharbour Lane 's Southwyck House (or "Barrier Block"). In 2015, to celebrate the Brixton pound's fifth anniversary, the Turner Prize -winning artist Jeremy Deller was commissioned to design a limited-edition B£5 note. It was described as "psychedelic and political", with the front featuring bright colors and the back with a quotation from Karl Marx ’s Das Kapital ("Capital
1408-491: A dogma", according to the sociologist of religion Peter B. Clarke . Some Rastas consider themselves Christian, and the religion has been deeply influenced by both Christian and Jewish thought; the scholar Michael Barnett called Rastafari "an Afrocentralized blend of Christianity and Judaism". Like Christianity, Rastafari treats the Bible as a holy book occupying a central place in its belief system, with Rastas often adopting
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#17328522641431536-832: A family that owned land in Lambeth from the late 17th century until well into the 20th. As bridges were built across the Thames in the early 19th century those working in the City of London and the West End moved to south London. The first development was in Washway, now Brixton Road. With the enclosing of the Manor of Lambeth, owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury , in 1806 and the opening of Vauxhall Bridge in 1816, terraced houses and detached villas started to line
1664-491: A large percentage of its population of Afro-Caribbean descent. It lies within Inner London and is bordered by Stockwell , Clapham , Streatham , Camberwell , Tulse Hill , Balham and Herne Hill . The district houses the main offices of Lambeth London Borough Council . Brixton is 2.7 mi (4.3 km) south-southeast from the geographical centre of London (measuring to a point near Brixton Underground station on
1792-541: A man, that I am mortal, and that I will be replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make a mistake in assuming or pretending that a human being is emanated from a deity." His grandson Ermias Sahle Selassie has said that there is "no doubt that Haile Selassie did not encourage the Rastafari movement". Critics of Rastafari have used this as evidence that Rasta theological beliefs are incorrect, although some Rastas take Selassie's denials as evidence that he
1920-544: A millennium of peace, justice, and happiness in which the righteous shall live in Africa. In the 1980s, many Rastas believed that the Day of Judgment would happen around the year 2000. A view then common in the Rasta community was that the world's white people would wipe themselves out through nuclear war , with black Africans then ruling the world, something that they argued was prophesied in
2048-406: A network of medieval country lanes, such as Acre Lane, Coldharbour Lane , Brixton Water Lane and Lyham Road, formerly Black Lane. It was only at the end of the 18th century that villages and settlements formed around Brixton, as the original woodland was gradually reduced until the area was covered in farmland and market gardens known for game and strawberries. The area remained undeveloped until
2176-476: A network to plan movement events and form strategies. The term "grounding" is used among Rastas to refer to the establishment of relationships between like-minded practitioners. Groundings often take place in a commune or yard, and are presided over by an elder. The elder is charged with keeping discipline and can ban individuals from attending. The number of participants can range from a handful to several hundred. Activities that take place at groundings include
2304-543: A number of murders around the estate. The Loughborough Estate is home to more than 3,000 families and a mix of 1940s low-rise buildings and 1960s/1970s tower blocks and houses. Problems of urban decay have been reported around Loughborough Junction , the catchment area for Loughborough Estate, the Angell Town Estate and the Moorlands Estate. Brixton still features some grand Victorian housing . Brixton Market
2432-481: A number of popular record shops. Desmond's Hip City on Atlantic Road existed from the 1970s until its closure in 1989. A record by the band Skydiggers ; Desmond's Hip City is named after the shop. In 2018, filmmaker Molly Dineen made a film about the owner of Blacker Dread Muzik Store called Being Blacker . Brixton's current record shops include Supertone Records (opened in 1983) selling soundsystem reggae and Container Records which sells dance music. Brixton
2560-503: A pair of fundamental moral principles known as the "two great commandments": love of God and love of neighbour. Many Rastas believe that to determine whether they should undertake a certain act or not, they should consult the presence of Jah within themselves. Rastafari emphasises the idea of "living naturally". As an extension of this view, Africa is considered the natural abode of black Africans—a continent where they can live according to African culture and tradition, and be themselves on
2688-581: A physical, emotional, and intellectual level. Practitioners believe that Westerners and Babylon have detached themselves from nature through technological development and thus have become debilitated, slothful, and decadent. Some Rastas also believe they should adhere to African laws rather than the laws of Babylon, potentially putting them at odds with the law of the countries in which they currently live. In emphasising this Afrocentric approach, Rastafari expresses overtones of black nationalism . The scholar Maureen Warner-Lewis observed that Rastafari combined
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#17328522641432816-495: A predominantly African-Caribbean community . The Metropolitan Police began Operation Swamp 81 at the beginning of April, aimed at reducing street crime , largely through the repeated use of the so-called sus law , which allowed police officers to stop and search any individual on the grounds of mere "suspicion" of possible wrongdoing. Plain clothes police officers were dispatched into Brixton, and within five days almost 1,000 people were stopped and searched under this law. There
2944-475: A reclamation of their African heritage. Accordingly it decenters Europe and whiteness and emphasises Africa and blackness, seeking to purge from its followers any belief in the inferiority of black people and the superiority of white people . Rastafari is therefore Afrocentric , equating blackness with the African continent, and endorsing Pan-Africanism. Practitioners of Rastafari identify themselves with
3072-515: A religion, meeting many of the proposed definitions for what constitutes a religion, and is legally recognised as such in various countries. Some scholars of religion have labelled it an Abrahamic religion , while other scholars have also classified it as a new religious movement , a sect , a cult , and a revitalisation movement . Having arisen in Jamaica, it has been described as an Afro-Jamaican religion, and more broadly an Afro-Caribbean religion. Although Rastafari focuses on Africa as
3200-415: A religion, instead referring to it as a "way of life", a " philosophy ", or a " spirituality ". Emphasising its political stance, particularly in support of African nationalism and pan-Africanism , some academics have characterised Rastafari as a political movement, a "politico-religious" movement, or a protest movement. It has alternatively been labelled a social movement , or more specifically as
3328-647: A severe housing crisis, which in turn led to urban decay . This was followed by slum clearances and the building of council housing . In the 1940s and 1950s, many immigrants, particularly from the West Indies and Ireland, settled in Brixton. The first wave of immigrants (492 individuals) who formed the British African-Caribbean community arrived in 1948 at Tilbury Docks on the HMT Empire Windrush from Jamaica and were temporarily housed in
3456-428: A significant clubbing and live music scene. Large venues include Brixton Academy and Electric Brixton . A range of smaller venues such as The Windmill , Jamm, and Phonox are a major part of London's live music scene. The Brixton Splash is an annual one-day street party held since 2006. The event is community run, showcasing local talent and celebrating the cultural diversity and history of Brixton. Brixton has had
3584-611: A source of identity, it is a product of creolisation processes in the Americas, described by the Hispanic studies scholars Margarite Fernández Olmos and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert as "a Creole religion, rooted in African, European, and Indian practices and beliefs". The scholar Ennis B. Edmonds also suggested that Rastafari was "emerging" as a world religion , not because of the number of its adherents, but because of its global spread. Many Rastas nevertheless reject descriptions of Rastafari as
3712-584: A spiritual force. A third response within the Rastafari community was that Selassie's death was inconsequential as he had only been a "personification" of Jah rather than Jah himself. During his life, Selassie described himself as a devout Christian. In a 1967 interview, Selassie was asked about the Rasta belief that he was the Second Coming of Jesus, to which he responded: "I have heard of this idea. I also met certain Rastafarians. I told them clearly that I am
3840-637: A state of mind. Rastas believe that Africa, as the Promised Land , will allow them to escape the domination and degradation they experience in Babylon. During the first three decades of the Rastafari movement, it placed strong emphasis on the need for the African diaspora to be repatriated to Africa. To this end, various Rastas lobbied the Jamaican government and United Nations to oversee this resettlement process. Other Rastas organised their own transportation to
3968-448: A symbol of their positive affirmation of Africa as a source of spiritual and cultural heritage. While he was emperor, many Jamaican Rastas professed the belief that Haile Selassie would never die. The 1974 overthrow of Haile Selassie by the military Derg and his subsequent death in 1975 resulted in a crisis of faith for many practitioners. Some left the movement altogether. Others remained, and developed new strategies for dealing with
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4096-564: A tea, as a spice in cooking, and as an ingredient in medicine. Not all Rastas use cannabis; many abstainers explain that they have already achieved a higher level of consciousness and thus do not require it. In Rastafari, cannabis is considered a sacrament . Rastas argue that the use of ganja is promoted in the Bible, specifically in Genesis , Psalms , and Revelation. They regard it as having healing properties, eulogise it for inducing feelings of "peace and love", and claim that it cultivates
4224-423: A wide area, including from different countries. They establish and maintain a sense of solidarity among the Rasta community and cultivate a feeling of collective belonging. Unlike in many other religions, rites of passage play no role in Rastafari; on death, various Rastas have been given Christian funerals by their relatives, as there are no established Rasta funeral rites. The principal ritual of Rastafari
4352-457: Is Morleys, an independent department store established in the 1880s. In 1888, Electric Avenue was so named after it became the first street in London to be lit by electricity . In this time, large expensive houses were constructed along the main roads in Brixton, which were converted into flats and boarding houses at the start of the 20th century as the middle classes were replaced by an influx of
4480-479: Is also home to a 1970s purpose-built skatepark , named Stockwell Skatepark , its own Dominoes team, the Brixton Immortals started by the community's Windrush Generation and bicycle co-operative Brixton Cycles . Brixton is served by two local news blogs - Brixton Blog running since 2010 which also prints a monthly newspaper, and Brixton Buzz formed in 2011 Rastafari movement Rastafari
4608-459: Is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion . There is no central authority in control of the movement and much diversity exists among practitioners, who are known as Rastafari, Rastafarians, or Rastas. Rastafari beliefs are based on an interpretation of the Bible . Central to
4736-593: Is an area of South London , part of the London Borough of Lambeth , England. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London . Brixton experienced a rapid rise in population during the 19th century as communications with central London improved. Brixton is mainly residential, though includes Brixton Market and a substantial retail sector. It is a multi-ethnic community, with
4864-427: Is expected of them whenever in public. According to traditional Rasta discourse, this dress code is necessary to prevent the sexual objectification of women by men in Babylon. Rasta men do not usually have such a dress code. Some Rasta women have challenged gender norms by wearing their hair uncovered in public and donning trousers. Although men and women took part alongside each other in early Rasta rituals, from
4992-561: Is gentrifying the area in a similar way to that in nearby Clapham . Pop Brixton exemplifies the ongoing discussion about regeneration. Originally created as a community project , opinion is divided over whether Pop fulfils its intentions of being part of the local community, with some arguing that Pop is seen as just another tourist and retail attraction, and that the council did not meaningfully engage with Brixton residents. Others have welcomed its arrival for its entrepreneurial approach and benefiting start-ups , and that it brings people into
5120-700: Is inevitable opens the religion up to the criticism from the political left that it discourages attempts to alter the status quo. Other Rastas do engage in political activism; the Ghanaian Rasta singer-songwriter Rocky Dawuni for instance was involved in campaigns promoting democratic elections, while in Grenada , many Rastas joined the People's Revolutionary Government formed in 1979. Rasta discourse has traditionally presented women as morally weak, susceptible to deception by evil , and impure while menstruating , citing
5248-788: Is money, capital is commodities...By virtue of it being value, it has acquired the occult ability to add value to itself. It brings forth living offspring, or, at the least, lays golden eggs.") Other towns and cities in the UK that have used their own currency include the city of Bristol , Totnes in Devon, Stroud in Gloucestershire and Lewes in Sussex. Brixton is home to several particularly large housing estates : Stockwell Park Estate off Stockwell and Brixton Roads respectively; Myatt's Fields South and North off Vassall Road; Angell Town off Brixton Road on
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5376-480: Is no need for a priest to act as mediator between the worshipper and Jah. It nevertheless has "elders", an honorific title bestowed upon those with a good reputation among the community. Although respected figures, they do not necessarily have administrative functions or responsibilities. When they do oversee ritual meetings, they are often responsible for helping to interpret current events in terms of Biblical scripture. Elders often communicate with each other through
5504-465: Is open every day, selling a range of African-Caribbean products and reflects other communities in the local area with Indian and Vietnamese supermarkets and South American butchers amongst the shops and stalls. . London Farmers' Markets opened a farmers market on Brixton Station Road in September 2009. It is open every Sunday from 9.30am to 2pm. After the riots in 1981 a series of murals were funded by
5632-501: Is oppressed within Western society, or "Babylon". Many Rastas call for this diaspora's resettlement in Africa, a continent they consider the Promised Land , or "Zion". Rastas refer to their practices as " livity ", which includes adhering to Ital dietary requirements, wearing their hair in dreadlocks , and following patriarchal gender roles. Communal meetings are known as "groundations", and are typified by music, chanting, discussions, and
5760-441: Is that those who are righteous may undergo reincarnation . Rastas have traditionally avoided death and funerals, meaning that many were given Christian funerals by their relatives. This attitude to death is less common among more recent or moderate strands of Rastafari, with many considering death a natural part of life. Unlike other African diaspora religions , Rastas typically avoid ancestor veneration . Most Rastas share
5888-491: Is the main shopping area, fusing into Brixton Market . On the western boundary of Brixton with Clapham stands the Sunlight Laundry, an Art Deco factory building. Designed by architect F.E. Simpkins and erected in 1937, this is one of the few Art Deco buildings that is still owned by the firm that commissioned it and is still used for its original purpose. The Brixton area was bombed during World War II , contributing to
6016-420: Is the norm, although many Rastas are legally married. Rasta men refer to their female partners as "queens", , "empresses", or "lionesses", while the males in these relationships are known as "kingmen". Rastafari places great importance on family life and the raising of children, with reproduction being encouraged. Traditionally, the religion emphasised the place of men in child-rearing, associating this with
6144-458: Is the smoking of ganja, also known as marijuana or cannabis. Among the names that Rastas give to the plant are callie , Iley , "the herb", "the holy herb", "the grass", and "the weed". Cannabis is usually smoked during groundings, although some practitioners also smoke it informally in other contexts. Some Rastas smoke cannabis very frequently, something other practitioners regard as excessive. Many practitioners alternatively consume cannabis in
6272-416: Is unknown why the early Rastas adopted this form of Haile Selassie's name as the basis of the term for their religion. As well as being the religion's name, "Rastafari" is also used for the religion's practitioners themselves. Many commentators—including some academic sources and some practitioners —refer to the movement as "Rastafarianism". However, the term is disparaged by many Rastafari, who believe that
6400-569: The Kebra Nagast , a 14th-century Ethiopian text, as a source through which to interpret the Bible. Rastas are monotheists , worshipping a singular God whom they call Jah . The term "Jah" is a shortened version of " Jehovah ", the name of God in English translations of the Old Testament . Rastas believe in the immanence of Jah, who is inherent within each individual. This belief is reflected in
6528-451: The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the creation of an independent Police Complaints Authority in 1985. The 1999 Macpherson Report, an investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence , found that recommendations of the 1981 Scarman report had been ignored and concluded that the police force was " institutionally racist ". John Major 's childhood roots in the area were used in
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#17328522641436656-486: The Book of Daniel . Rasta views on death vary. Traditionally, many Rastas believed in the possibility of eternal life. In the 1980s, scholar of religion Leonard E. Barrett observed Jamaican Rastas who believed that practitioners who died had not been faithful to Jah. He suggested that this attitude stemmed from the large numbers of young people in the movement, who had thus seen very few Rastas die. Another common Rasta view
6784-739: The Book of Leviticus and the writings of Paul the Apostle . By contrast, Rastafari often espouses the belief that black men in the African diaspora have been emasculated by Babylon and that their manhood must therefore be restored. As a result, Rastafari often affirms patriarchal principles, including the idea that women should submit to male leadership. External observers—including scholars such as Cashmore and Edmonds —have claimed that Rastafari accords women an inferior position to men. Cashmore suggests Rastafari women accept this subordinate position and regard it as their duty to obey their men. The academic Maureen Rowe suggested that women were willing to join
6912-681: The London nail bombings . The other two, which followed within a fortnight, were in Brick Lane , the heart of East London's Bangladeshi community, and the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho , frequented predominantly by the gay community. In the Brixton attack, 48 people were injured. The bomber was caught after the third attack; the BBC reported that he intended to ignite a race war across Britain with his bombing campaign. He
7040-417: The London, Brighton & South Coast Railway opened Loughborough Park railway station with connections to London Bridge and the following year to Victoria. With the arrival of the railways a building boom set in. Brixton was transformed into a middle class suburb between the 1860s and 1890s and Brixton developed into a major shopping centre. The first purpose-built department store , Bon Marché (Brixton) ,
7168-477: The Victoria line ). The name Brixton is thought to originate from Brixistane , meaning the stone of Brixi, a Saxon lord. Brixi is thought to have erected a boundary stone to mark the meeting place of the ancient Brixton hundred court of Surrey . The location is unknown but is thought to be at the top of Brixton Hill , at a road known at the time as Bristow or Brixton Causeway, long before any settlement in
7296-699: The smoking of cannabis , the latter regarded as a sacrament with beneficial properties. Rastafari originated among impoverished and socially disenfranchised Afro-Jamaican communities in 1930s Jamaica. Its Afrocentric ideology was largely a reaction against Jamaica's then-dominant British colonial culture . It was influenced by both Ethiopianism and the Back-to-Africa movement promoted by black nationalist figures such as Marcus Garvey . The religion developed after several Protestant Christian clergymen, most notably Leonard Howell , proclaimed that Haile Selassie's crowning as Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930 fulfilled
7424-495: The "book within" which allows them to commune with God. Because of what they regard as the corruption of the Bible, Rastas also turn to other sources that they believe shed light on African history, including Leonard Howell 's 1935 work The Promised Key , Robert Athlyi Rogers ' 1924 book Holy Piby , and Fitz Balintine Pettersburg 's 1920s work, the Royal Parchment Scroll of Black Supremacy . Many Rastas also treat
7552-451: The African continent. Critics of the movement have argued that the migration of the entire African diaspora to Africa is implausible, particularly as no African country would welcome this. By the movement's fourth decade, the desire for physical repatriation to Africa had declined among Rastas, a change influenced by observation of the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia . Rather, many Rastas saw
7680-501: The African diaspora. Rastas believe Biblical scripture explains the Atlantic slave trade, and that the enslavement, exile, and exploitation of black Africans was punishment for failing to live up to their status as Jah's chosen people. Many Rastas, adopting a Pan-Africanist ethos, have criticised the division of Africa into nation-states, regarding this as a Babylonian development, and are often hostile to capitalist resource extraction from
7808-431: The Angell Town Estate were originally designed to accommodate high-level walkways which were envisaged to link the whole of Brixton. The ground-floor garages of these estates have proved to be a major security problem. The Somerleyton Estate is dominated by Southwyck House (known locally as "Barrier Block"), a large horseshoe-shaped brick and concrete 1970s structure that backs onto Coldharbour Lane. The 176-apartment block
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#17328522641437936-694: The BCA won major funding, including £5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the London Development Agency , and moved back to Brixton to become the UK's first national black heritage centre. A site dedication ceremony took place in June 2013, and the new BCA building – a Grade II-listed Georgian building , the former Raleigh Hall – at 1 Windrush Square , was officially opened on 24 July 2014. Designed by architects Pringle Richards Sharratt , it
8064-501: The Bible . Cashmore reported that Rastas typically saw the growing acceptance of birth control and homosexuality in the 1970s and 1980s as evidence of the degeneration of Babylon and proof of its approaching demise. LGBTQ+ Rastas may conceal their sexual orientation because of these attitudes. Rastas refer to their cultural and religious practices as "livity". Rastafari does not place emphasis on hierarchical structures. It has no professional priesthood, with Rastas believing that there
8192-466: The Bible, where it refers to an idealised Jerusalem . Rastas use "Zion" either for Ethiopia specifically or for Africa more broadly. Many Rastas use the term "Ethiopia" as a synonym for Africa, following its usage in English translations of the Bible. Rastas in Ghana, for instance, describe themselves as already living within "Ethiopia". Other Rastas apply the term "Zion" to Jamaica or they use it to describe
8320-540: The Clapham South deep shelter. The nearest Labour Exchange ( Jobcentre ) was on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, and the new arrivals spread out into local accommodation. Many immigrants only intended to stay in Britain for a few years, but although a number returned to the Caribbean, the majority remained to settle permanently. The arrival of the passengers has become an important landmark in the history of modern Britain, and
8448-627: The Familiar , from 9 October 2015 to 4 June 2016, featured the everyday lives of Black people in Britain during the Georgian period (1714–1830), with a special feature by Christy Symington on Olaudah Equiano . Other exhibitions have included Rastafari in Motion , the story of Emperor Haile Selassie I and the Rastafari movement in Britain (14 June–10 September 2016); Black Sound (7 April 2017–17 February 2018),
8576-541: The London sewerage system was constructed during the mid-19th century, its designer Sir Joseph Bazalgette incorporated flows from the River Effra into his 'high-level interceptor sewer', also known as the Effra sewer. Brixton was connected to central London by rail on 25 August 1862 when Brixton and South Stockwell railway station was opened by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway on the line from Victoria. On 13 August 1866
8704-581: The ancient Israelites —God's chosen people in the Old Testament—and believe that black Africans broadly or Rastas more specifically are either the descendants or the reincarnations of this ancient people. This is similar to beliefs in Judaism , although many Rastas believe that contemporary Jews ' status as the descendants of the ancient Israelites is a false claim . Rastas typically believe that black Africans are God's chosen people, meaning that they made
8832-464: The aphorism, often cited by Rastas, that "God is man and man is God", and Rastas speak of "knowing" Jah, rather than simply "believing" in him. In seeking to narrow the distance between humanity and divinity, Rastafari embraces mysticism . This idea of connecting to a singular divine force within differs from the forms of spirit possession found in other African diaspora religions, such as Kumina and Convince , where external spirits are invited into
8960-564: The archive collection, provides dedicated learning spaces and mounts a programme of exhibitions and events. In 1981, Len Garrison and other members of the Black British community started a collection, originally housed in Coldharbour Lane in Brixton and later based in Kennington , that sought to redress the historical imbalance of the representation of black people in Britain. In 2010
9088-484: The area which has benefited trade and its popularity. In April 2015, a Reclaim Brixton protest was held by local residents and activists opposing gentrification. In March 2016, a campaign to save the businesses that occupy the railway arches commenced, with long-running local businesses being forced out due to rent-rises. The council passed the plans for Network Rail to refurbish them in August. In May 2019, plans for
9216-525: The area. Brixton marks the rise from the marshes in the north of the ancient parish of Lambeth up to the hills of Upper Norwood and Streatham . At the time the River Effra flowed from its source in Upper Norwood through Herne Hill to Brixton. At Brixton the river was crossed by low bridges for Roman roads to the south coast, now Brixton Road and Clapham Road. The main roads were connected through
9344-408: The beginning of the 19th century, the main settlements being near Stockwell , Brixton Hill and Coldharbour Lane. With the opening of Vauxhall Bridge in 1816, improved access to Central London led to a process of suburban development. The largest single development, and one of the last in suburban character, was Angell Town, laid out in the 1850s on the east side of Brixton Road , and so named after
9472-664: The black African diaspora are exiles living in " Babylon ", a term which it applies to Western society . For Rastas, European colonialism and global capitalism are regarded as manifestations of Babylon, while police and soldiers are viewed as its agents. The term "Babylon" is adopted because of its Biblical associations. In the Old Testament, Babylon is the Mesopotamian city where the Israelites were held captive , exiled from their homeland, between 597 and 586 BCE; Rastas compare
9600-428: The body. Jesus is an important figure in Rastafari. However, practitioners reject the traditional Christian view of Jesus, and particularly the depiction of him as a white European . They believe Jesus was a black African, and that the white Jesus was a false god. Many Rastas regard Christianity as the creation of the white man; they treat it with suspicion out of the view that the oppressors (white Europeans) and
9728-472: The boundary with Camberwell; Cowley on Cowley and Vassall Roads, Loughborough in the centre of Brixton, Tulse Hill estate, Somerleyton estate and Moorlands Estate, situated off Coldharbour Lane. There are also smaller estates such as Blenheim Gardens, Caldwell Gardens, Church Manor and Hertford. These estates account for a large part of the Brixton residence. Estates like the Stockwell Park Estate and
9856-401: The continent. Rastas seek to delegitimise and destroy Babylon, something often conveyed in the Rasta aphorism "Chant down Babylon". Rastas often expect the white-dominated society to dismiss their beliefs as false, and when this happens they see it as confirmation of the correctness of their faith. Rastas view Zion as an ideal to which they aspire. As with "Babylon", this term comes from
9984-509: The correctness of their beliefs. Rastafari meetings are opened and closed with prayers. These involve supplication of Jah, the supplication for the hungry, sick, and infants, and calls for the destruction of the Rastas' enemies, and then close with statements of adoration. Princes shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopia shall stretch forth her hand unto God. Oh thou God of Ethiopia, thou God of divine majesty, thy spirit come within our hearts to dwell in
10112-581: The council. The murals portray nature, politics, community and ideas. The surviving murals include the Brixton Academy Mural (Stockwell Park Walk) by Stephen Pusey (1982) showing a mixed group of young people, intended to portray the natural harmony that could be found between children of mixed backgrounds in the local schools. Recent contributions towards Brixton's mural tradition include the portrait of Michael Johns on Popes Road by Dreph , created as part of Brixton Design Trail in September 2017 and
10240-501: The currency. The Brixton pound aims to boost the local economy and build a mutual support system amongst independent businesses by tying local shoppers to local shops and by encouraging local shops to source goods and services locally. The notes are available in B£1, B£5, B£10, and B£20 denominations and depict local celebrities such as the community activist Olive Morris and the environmentalist James Lovelock . Lambeth Council has endorsed
10368-428: The development on 3 November 2020. A subsequent decision is to be made by London mayor Sadiq Khan , the date so far for which has been postponed. 2023 saw the council begin the public consultation for the regeneration of 6 Canterbury Crescent (International House) and 49 Brixton Station Road (Pop Brixton). Brixton was one of the first inner-city based ' Transition town ' projects in the UK. Brockwell Park hosts
10496-536: The exile of the Israelites in Mesopotamia to the exile of the African diaspora outside Africa. Rastas perceive the exile of the black African diaspora in Babylon as an experience of great suffering, with the term "suffering" having a significant place in Rasta discourse. Rastas view Babylon as being responsible for both the Atlantic slave trade , which removed enslaved Africans from their continent, and ongoing poverty in
10624-406: The fallacies in any arguments presented. Those assembled inform each other about the revelations that they have received through meditation and dream. Each contributor is supposed to push the boundaries of understanding until the entire group has gained greater insight into the topic under discussion. In meeting together with like-minded individuals, reasoning helps Rastas to reassure one another of
10752-775: The final book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation , as the most important part, because they see its contents as having particular significance for the world's present situation. Contrary to scholarly understandings of how the Bible was compiled, Rastas commonly believe it was originally written on stone in the Ethiopian language of Amharic . They also believe that the Bible's true meaning has been warped, both through mistranslation into other languages and by deliberate manipulation by those seeking to deny black Africans their history. They also regard it as cryptographic, meaning that it has many hidden meanings. They believe that its true teachings can be revealed through intuition and meditation on
10880-656: The hidden stories and experiences of Black people either through personal and family journeys or through the rich network of Black-led community organisations", and "celebrate Black achievements "alongside the strong sense of campaigning and resistance to racial inequalities." BCA's records are also accessible through an online catalogue. BCA's inaugural exhibition was Re-imagine: Black Women in Britain (24 July–30 November 2014), which chronicled "the often hidden histories of Britain's black foremothers", including Mary Seacole , Mary Prince , Adelaide Hall , Olive Morris , Jessica Huntley , among others. In October 2016 this exhibition
11008-431: The idea of returning to Africa in a metaphorical sense, entailing the restoration of their pride and self-confidence as people of black African descent. The term "liberation before repatriation" began to be used within the movement. Some Rastas seek to transform Western society so that they may more comfortably live within it rather than seeking to move to Africa. There are nevertheless many Rastas who continue to emphasise
11136-456: The idea that Selassie was the Second Coming, arguing that this event has yet to occur. From this perspective, Selassie is perceived as a messenger or emissary of God rather than a manifestation of God himself. Rastas holding to this view sometimes regard the deification of Haile Selassie as naïve or ignorant, in some cases thinking it as dangerous to worship a human being as God. There are various Rastas who went from believing that Haile Selassie
11264-552: The image of West Indians filing off its gangplank has come to symbolise the beginning of modern British multicultural society. In 1998 the area in front of Brixton Library was renamed " Windrush Square " to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush . Brixton was the scene of riots in April 1981 at a time when Brixton underwent deep social and economic problems—high unemployment, high crime, poor housing, no amenities —in
11392-507: The late 1940s and 1950s the Rasta community increasingly encouraged gender segregation for ceremonies. This was based on the belief that women's menstruation made them impure and that their presence at the ceremonies would distract male participants. As it existed in Jamaica, Rastafari did not promote monogamy. Though it is not especially common, Rasta men are permitted to engage in polygamy , while women are expected to reserve their sexual activity for one male partner. Common-law marriage
11520-406: The main roads. The Rush Common enclosure stipulations dictated that houses had to be set back from the main roads, allowing for generous gardens. St Matthew's Church on part of the former common land was consecrated in 1824. The parish of St Matthew Brixton, one of five subdivisions of the ancient Lambeth parish, stretched from Camberwell Green in the northeast, to Clapham Road in the northwest, to
11648-741: The managing director appointment in February 2019. In February 2022, Dr Yvonne Thompson was announced as new chair of the BCA's board of trustees. In 2024, the Len Garrison Master of Arts Scholarship in Black British History was launched in conjunction with the University of Leicester . In 2008, a two-year HLF-funded project called "Documenting the Archive" enabled the cataloguing of BCA's collections of books, objects, and archives, which "document
11776-632: The most prominent of which are the Nyahbinghi , Bobo Ashanti , and the Twelve Tribes of Israel , each offering a different interpretation of Rastafari belief. There are an estimated 700,000 to one million Rastafari across the world. The largest population is in Jamaica, although small communities can be found in most of the world's major population centres. Most Rastafari are of black African descent, and some groups accept only black members, but non-black groups have also emerged. Rastafari has been described as
11904-419: The movement since at least the 1970s, and non-black Rastas are now widely accepted. Some Rastas citing a 1963 speech by Haile Selassie in support of racial acceptance. Some sects maintains that white Europeans can never be legitimate Rastas but others believe an "African" identity is not inherently linked to black skin but whether an individual displays an African "attitude" or "spirit". Rastafari teaches that
12032-565: The name of a mythical African queen. Nyabinghi Issemblies are often held on dates associated with Ethiopia and Haile Selassie. These include Ethiopian Christmas (7 January), the day on which Haile Selassie visited Jamaica (21 April), Selassie's birthday (23 July), Ethiopian New Year (11 September), and Selassie's coronation day (2 November). Some Rastas also organise Nyabinghi Issemblies to mark Jamaica's Emancipation Day (1 August) and Marcus Garvey 's birthday (17 August). Nyabinghi Issemblies typically take place in rural areas, being situated in
12160-411: The need for physical resettlement of the African diaspora in Africa. Rastafari is a millenarian movement, espousing the idea that the present age will come to an apocalyptic end. Many practitioners believe that on this Day of Judgment , Babylon will be overthrown, with Rastas being the chosen few who survive the upheaval. With Babylon destroyed, Rastas believe that humanity will enter a "new age",
12288-461: The news. Some Rastas believed that Selassie did not really die and that claims to the contrary were Western misinformation. To bolster their argument, they pointed to the fact that no corpse had been produced; in reality, Haile Selassie's body had been buried beneath his palace, remaining undiscovered there until 1992. Another perspective within Rastafari acknowledged that Haile Selassie's body had perished, but claimed that his inner essence survived as
12416-606: The nineteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation. By viewing Haile Selassie as Jesus, these Rastas also regard him as the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, the manifestation of God in human form, and "the living God". Some perceive him as part of a Trinity , alongside God as Creator and the Holy Spirit , the latter referred to as "the Breath within the temple". Rastas who view Haile Selassie as Jesus argue that both were descendants from
12544-431: The now annual Urban Green Fair, first held in summer 2007. The Brixton pound was first trialled at Transition Town Brixton's "Local Economy Day" on 19 June 2008. It was then launched on 17 September 2009 by Transition Town Brixton. The Brixton pound is a local currency that is available as an alternative to sterling . The first trading day of the Brixton pound was on 18 September 2009 with 80 local businesses accepting
12672-530: The open air or in temporary structures—known as "temples" or "tabernacles"—specifically constructed for the purpose. Any elder seeking to sponsor a Nyabinghi Issembly must have approval from other elders and requires the adequate resources to organise such an event. The assembly usually lasts between three and seven days. During the daytime, attendees engage in food preparation, ganja smoking, and reasoning, while at night they focus on drumming and dancing around bonfires. Nyabinghi Issemblies often attract Rastas from
12800-748: The oppressed (black Africans) cannot share the same God. Some Rastas take the view that the God worshipped by most white Christians is actually the Devil , and a recurring claim among Rastas is that the Pope is Satan or the Antichrist . Rastas therefore often view Christian preachers as deceivers and regard Christianity as being guilty of furthering the oppression of the African diaspora , frequently referring to it as having perpetrated "mental enslavement". From its origins, Rastafari
12928-464: The outer edge of Brockwell Park in the southeast and to Kingswood Road in the southwest. Ashby's Mill , one of the few surviving windmills in London, was built in 1816, just off Brixton Hill and surrounded by houses built during Brixton's Victorian expansion. The Surrey House of Correction , later Brixton prison, was established in 1819. As part of the Reform Act 1832 the expanding area of London
13056-449: The parts of righteousness. That the hungry be fed, the sick nourished, the aged protected, and the infant cared for. Teach us love and loyalty as it is in Zion. — Opening passage of a common Rasta prayer The largest groundings were known as "groundations" or "grounations" in the 1950s, although they were subsequently re-termed "Nyabinghi Issemblies". The term " Nyabinghi " is adopted from
13184-514: The playing of drums, chanting, the singing of hymns, and the recitation of poetry. Cannabis , known as ganja, is often smoked. Most groundings contain only men, although some Rasta women have established their own all-female grounding circles. One of the central activities at groundings is " reasoning ". This is a discussion among assembled Rastas about the religion's principles and their relevance to current events. These discussions are supposed to be non-combative, although attendees can point out
13312-404: The popularity of Rastafari-inspired reggae musicians, most notably Bob Marley . Enthusiasm for Rastafari declined in the 1980s, following the deaths of Haile Selassie and Marley, but the movement survived and has a presence in many parts of the world. The Rastafari movement is decentralised and organised on a largely sectarian basis. There are several denominations, or " Mansions of Rastafari ",
13440-616: The project, which the New Economics Foundation helped to develop. On 29 September 2011, the Brixton pound launched an electronic version of the currency where users can pay by text message. A second issue of the paper currency was launched, featuring a new set of well-known people with Brixton connections: On the B£1, the Black Cultural Archives founder Len Garrison , on the B£5, NBA basketball player Luol Deng (the reverse
13568-580: The recovery of African manhood. Women would often work, sometimes while the man raised the children at home. Rastafari regards procreation as the purpose of sex, and thus oral and anal sex are usually forbidden. Both contraception and abortion are usually censured, and a common claim in Rasta discourse is that these were inventions of Babylon to decrease the black African birth-rate. Rastas typically express hostile attitudes to homosexuality, regarding homosexuals as evil and unnatural; this attitude derives from references to same-sex sexual activity in
13696-549: The religion despite its restrictions because they valued the life of structure and discipline it provided. Attitudes to women within Rastafari have changed since the 1970s, however, with a growing " womanist " movement, and increasing numbers of women in leadership positions at local and international levels. Rasta women usually wear clothing that covers their head and hides their body contours. Trousers are usually avoided, with long skirts preferred. Women are expected to cover their head while praying, and in some Rasta groups this
13824-468: The religion is a monotheistic belief in a single God, referred to as Jah , who partially resides within each individual . Rastas accord key importance to Haile Selassie , Emperor of Ethiopia between 1930 and 1974, who is regarded variously as the Second Coming of Jesus , Jah incarnate , or a human prophet. Rastafari is Afrocentric and focuses attention on the African diaspora , which it believes
13952-533: The riot. Following the 1981 Brixton riot the Government commissioned a public inquiry into the riot headed by Lord Scarman . The subsequent Scarman report was published in November 1981 and found unquestionable evidence of the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of 'stop and search' powers by the police against black people. The report made a number of recommendations and led to a new code for police behaviour in
14080-590: The royal line of the Biblical king David , while Rastas also emphasise the fact that the Makonnen dynasty, of which Haile Selassie was a member, claimed descent from the Biblical figures Solomon and the Queen of Sheba . Other Rastas see Selassie as embodying Jesus' teachings and essence but reject the idea that he was the literal reincarnation of Jesus. Members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel denomination, for instance, reject
14208-437: The status of a catechism or creed . Rastas place great emphasis on the idea that personal experience and intuitive understanding should be used to determine the truth or validity of a particular belief or practice. No Rasta, therefore, has the authority to declare which beliefs and practices are orthodox and which are heterodox . The conviction that Rastafari has no dogma "is so strong that it has itself become something of
14336-504: The story of 100 years of musical creativity, co-curated in partnership with The Champion Agency and Lloyd Bradley ; and Expectations (7 August–24 October 2018), described as "the first ever photography exhibition 'takeover' at the Black Cultural Archives using photographs taken by Neil Kenlock ". 51°27′37″N 0°06′53″W / 51.4603°N 0.1147°W / 51.4603; -0.1147 Brixton Brixton
14464-656: The temporary installation of "Remain, Thriving" by Njideka Akunyili Crosby at Brixton tube station , a commission by Art on the Underground . In 2018 Dreph completed a large mural depicting Michelle Obama in Dorrell Place. The Ritzy Cinema , Coldharbour Lane, is a formerly independent cinema now owned by Picturehouse Cinemas . The building was designed as the Electric Pavilion in 1910 by E. C. Homer and Lucas, one of England's first purpose-built cinemas. Brixton has
14592-401: The thriving bohemian art scene. However, others argue that the area is undergoing exciting regeneration. In recent years, Brixton has hosted a regular farmers' market on Station Road, as well as Pop-up restaurants and pop-up shops. New art galleries, delicatessens, bars, cafes and vintage clothing stores, particularly in and around Brixton Village Market have also opened, which some believe
14720-449: The use of -ism implies religious doctrine and institutional organisation, things they wish to avoid. Rastas refer to the totality of their religion's ideas and beliefs as "Rastalogy". Edmonds described Rastafari as having "a fairly cohesive worldview"; however, the scholar Ernest Cashmore thought that its beliefs were "fluid and open to interpretation". Within the movement, attempts to summarise Rastafari belief have never been accorded
14848-406: The working classes. By 1925, Brixton attracted thousands of new people. It housed the largest shopping centre in south London at the time, as well as a thriving market, cinemas, pubs and a theatre. In the 1920s, Brixton was the shopping capital of south London with three large department stores and some of the earliest branches of what are now Britain's major national retailers. Today, Brixton Road
14976-466: Was appropriate to speak of "a plethora of Rasta spiritualities " rather than a single phenomenon. The term "Rastafari" derives from "Ras Tafari Makonnen", the pre-regnal title of Haile Selassie , the former Ethiopian emperor who occupies a central role in Rasta belief. The term " Ras " means a duke or prince in the Ethiopian Semitic languages ; "Tafari Makonnen" was Selassie's personal name. It
15104-505: Was both God incarnate and the Second Coming of Jesus to seeing him as something distinct. On being crowned, Haile Selassie was given the title of " King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah". Rastas use this title for Haile Selassie alongside others, such as "Almighty God", "Judge and Avenger", "King Alpha and Queen Omega", "Returned Messiah", "Elect of God", and "Elect of Himself". Rastas also view Haile Selassie as
15232-400: Was convicted of murder and given six concurrent life sentences . There has been, and there remains great debate regarding whether Brixton's recent renaissance should be deemed regeneration or gentrification . Some believe the area has slowly undergone a process of gentrification since the 1990s and has resulted in many wealthy middle-class people taking advantage of the area's location and
15360-475: Was given representation with the creation of new parliamentary boroughs covering the metropolitan area. Only the part of Brixton north of St Matthew's Church became part of the Lambeth parliamentary borough , reflecting the still semi-rural nature of the southern part of the area. The population of Brixton was 10,175 in 1841, about 10% of the parish of Lambeth. In twenty years the population of both had doubled. When
15488-502: Was indeed the incarnation of God, based on their reading of the Gospel of Luke . According to Clarke, Rastafari is "concerned above all else with black consciousness, with rediscovering the identity, personal and racial, of black people". The movement began among Afro-Jamaicans who wanted to reject the British colonial culture that dominated Jamaica and replace it with a new identity based on
15616-732: Was inspired by the Ark Evelyn Grace Academy ), David Bowie on the B£10 and World War II secret agent Violette Szabo on the B£20. The reverse of the notes, designed by a Brixton creative agency This Ain't Rock'n'Roll, feature notable local landmarks such as the Stockwell Skatepark , public art on Electric Avenue , Nuclear Dawn (one of the Brixton murals ), and the Stirling Prize -winning Ark Evelyn Grace Academy . All four notes feature
15744-419: Was intense local indignation at this, since the vast majority of those stopped by the police were young black men. The riot resulted in almost 279 injuries to police and 45 injuries to members of the public, more than a hundred vehicles were burned (including 56 police vehicles), and almost 150 buildings were damaged, with 30 burned. There were 82 arrests. Reports suggested that up to 5,000 people were involved in
15872-512: Was intrinsically linked with Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He remains the central figure in Rastafari ideology, and although all Rastas hold him in esteem, precise interpretations of his identity differ. Understandings of how Haile Selassie relates to Jesus vary among Rastas. Many, although not all, believe that the Ethiopian monarch was the Second Coming of Jesus, legitimising this by reference to their interpretation of
16000-619: Was launched online as part of the Google Cultural Institute . BCA worked over a period of years with the Victoria and Albert Museum to acquire photographs either by black photographers or that document the lives of black people in Britain, complemented by a range or oral histories. The resultant exhibition in 2015 was entitled Staying Power: Photographs of Black British Experience, 1950s – 1990 (inspired by Peter Fryer 's 1984 book Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain ). The exhibition Black Georgians: The Shock of
16128-674: Was named in 2015 as "Building of the Year" in the New London Architecture awards. On 16 February 2017, BCA received a royal visit from Charles, Prince of Wales , and the Duchess of Cornwall , during which Prince Charles praised the contribution of people from the West Indies and Africa in World War I and World War II . Paul Reid was BCA's director from 2006 until 2019, with Arike Oke taking up
16256-473: Was opened on Brixton Road in 1877 and Electric Avenue was one of the first shopping arcades to have electric lighting. The now famous Brixton Market began in Atlantic Road and was moved to Station Road in the 1920s to ease traffic congestion. In 1881 the population of Brixton was 62,837, now home to a quarter of the parish of Lambeth. A prominent building on Brixton High Street (at 472–488 Brixton Road)
16384-461: Was originally constructed in this shape to provide a noise barrier against Ringway 1 , a proposed inner-London motorway that was planned to pass through Brixton and Camberwell, later abandoned. Some housing estates have been linked with urban decay and crime. New gates and iron bars have been constructed for the Loughborough Estate around Loughborough Road and Minet Road in response to
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