The religious aspects in regards to Rastafarianism.

The Rastafari movement is a "messianic religio-political movement"  that began in the Jamaican slums in the 1920s and 30s. The most famous Rastafari is Bob Marley, whose reggae music gained the Jamaican movement international recognition. There is significant variation within the Rastafari movement and no formal organization. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life than a religion. But uniting the diverse movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage.

Rastafarians believe in the Judeo-Christian God, whom they call Jah. In general, Rastafarian beliefs are based in Judaism and Christianity, with an emphasis on Old Testament laws and prophecies and the Book of Revelation. Allegorical meaning is often sought in the Holy Piby.

Rastafarians do not believe in an afterlife,  but instead look to Africa (called "Zion") as a heaven on earth. True Rastas are believed to be immortal, both physically and spiritually, a concept called "everliving."

An important Rastafarian concept is "I and I," which is said instead of "you and I." It emphasizes the oneness between humanity and God as well as the equality of all humans. The Rastafarian lifestyle usually includes ritual use of marijuana, avoidance of alcohol, the wearing of one's hair in dreadlocks, and vegetarianism.

What critics say about the novel "Brother Man".

Some critics say that it’s very interesting to read Brother Man today, when Rastas and things Rastafarian have acquired such cultural charisma that their image, carried abroad by stars such as Bob Marley and other dreadlocked musicians, is now routinely used to advertise Jamaica as a tourist destination. Brother Man recently reissued by Macmillan (the original publishers of many of Mais’s books) to mark its 50th anniversary was the first Jamaican novel to portray a Rastafarian protagonist in positive terms. Writing in the early 1950s, a mere 50 years ago, Roger Mais captured the way Rastas were viewed then.

In addition others view it as being the best writing in the book. Especially in the scenes between Girlie and Papacita, capturing the quarrelsome passion between them, her jealousy and his lust, culminating in an episode of violent sexual struggle between two untamed creatures, a kind of consensual rape.

Furthermore it is grasped as the protagonist’s greeting of “Peace and love”.  With its unfortunate but conventional depiction of obeah as a negative force, and its stilted speech, Brother Man stops short of being a book for all seasons; it is, however, a narrative well worth engaging with, from one of the most interesting literary figures the Caribbean has produced.

Roger Mais Biography.

In Kingston Jamaica on August 11^th, 1905, Roger Mais was born. He was a journalist, playwright, novelist and a poet. He also wrote several plays, reviews and short stories for the newspaper Focus and the Jamaica Daily Gleaner, focusing his articles on social injustice and inequality.

Being raised into a middle-class family with full access to cultured traditions, Mais often incorporated a romantic idea into his writing. He drew from his Western education inspirations that lead to his use of tragic, visionary and poetic elements with books and plays. His belief in individualism and the writer’s freedom to pursue imagination are reflected in many of his early works. Mais had won ten first prizes in West Indian literature competitions. His integral role in the development of political and cultural nationalism is evidenced in his being awarded the high honor of the Order of Jamaica in 1978. Mais launched his career as a journalist and contributor for the weekly newspaper, Public Opinion from 1939 to 1952. He used this approach to reach his local audience and to primarily push for a national identity and anti-colonialism.

Unfortunately for Roger Mais, he died at somewhat a young age of 49 years from cancer.