Ras Tafari (Visual Studies)

Ras Tafari Visual Studies

1.       

Introduction 

When we talk about Rastafari we sometimes talk about the people rather than the man HIM self. The Rastafari phenomenon emerge out of Jamaica in the twentieth century. Rastafari is a knowledge system which Jamaica has contributed to the world. The Rastafari Visual Studies program is design to foster understanding of this contribution of Ras Tafari to the World culture.

The program is intended to offer students access to a body of knowledge developed through and around the manifestation of Ras Tafari around the world over the last century. It involves assessing the importance of Ras Tafari contributions to the development of world culture sensibilities through a multimedia focus on thought, practice and experience. We will focus on the visual aspects of Ras Tafari through traditional and new media.

The program will, therefore, address the following specific objectives:

1. 1    The story of his childhood to appointment to Dejazmatch (1892-1906).
2. 2.       Dejazmatch to his father’s death (1906).
3. 3.       From the death of his father til his appointment to the governorship of Harar (1906-1910).
4. 4.       His appointment to the governorship pg Harar and its provinces (1910).

Text: The Autobiography of Emperor Haile Selassie I “My Life and Ethiopia’s Progress” 1892-1937. Translated and annotated by Edward Ullendorff.