Contact:
Lyndon Taylor/Jordanne Hunter
Finn Partners
212-715-1600
Lyndon@finnpartners.com / Jordanne@FinnPartners.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JAMAICA’S RASTAFARI CULTURE EXPLORED
Historic Year-Long Exhibition Opens in Island’s Cultural Capital
KINGSTON, JAMAICA – July 30, 2013 – Jamaica’s
Rastafari culture has been documented and its history
detailed in a definitive exhibition now underway at the
Institute of Jamaica in the island’s cultural capital, Kingston.
The historic exhibition, ‘Rastafari: Unconquerable!’
examines the ‘Revelation of Rastafari’, the ‘Philosophy and
Evolution of the Rastafari Movement’, the ‘Visit of His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie to Jamaica’, as well as a
historical review of the challenges experienced by
Rastafarians in Jamaica.
“We welcome the staging of such an exhibition which explores the contribution of Rastafari to
the Jamaican society, and demonstrates the diversity of our culture,” said John Lynch,
Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “This exhibition is timely and provides the Jamaica Tourist Board
with an opportunity to showcase our capital city to visitors who travel to the island to experience
our unique and rich cultural heritage.”
The exhibition marks the culmination of several months of detailed research and work to collect
and document numerous images and historical narratives of the rise and global influence of the
indigenous Rastafari Culture. It represents a collaborative effort between the Institute of
Jamaica (IOJ) through its National Museum Jamaica division in partnership with the Rastafari
Millennium Council.
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IOJ curator David Stimpson collaborated with Ras Anthony Witter, Rastafarian oral historian and
artist, to develop the exhibition. “All of the work has been done in consultation with the
Millennium Council, Rastafari Consultation Committee, and through direct conversations with
the various Mansions of Rastafari," noted Stimpson.
The year-long exhibition runs through to July 2014 and information can be found on the Institute
of Jamaica’s website www.instituteofjamaica.org.jm.
Travelers to the island can also learn about Rastafari culture by visiting the Rastafari
Indigenous Village in Montego Bay. At the village, visitors can experience the culture,
language, music, dress, spirit and lifestyle of Jamaica’s Rastafarians. Visitors will also learn the
self-sustaining and eco-friendly habits of the Rastafari people. The village is interactive and
includes a tour of medicinal herbal gardens, arts and crafts and musical experience through
drum rhythms and ancient chants. Those interested can visit www.RastaVillage.com.
To plan a trip to Jamaica, go to www.visitjamaica.com, or visit a local travel specialist.
About Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based
in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by
the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2012. Also in 2012, Jamaica earned the WTA’s
vote for the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, Caribbean’s Leading Destination and
Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination for the sixth consecutive year. Additionally, the Historic
Falmouth Cruise Port was recognized as the World's Leading Tourism Development Project for
the second year, while Ocho Rios was named the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port, Sangster
International Airport was voted the Caribbean’s Leading Airport and Montego Bay Convention
Centre named Caribbean’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre. The destination also
received recognition as the World's Most Romantic Destination and Caribbean's Leading Sports
Tourism Destination.
JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative
offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the
JTB’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/visitjamaica, on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitjamaicanow or on YouTube
at www.youtube.com/aboutjamaicajtb.
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