Holding on to Jah

This is a very nice documentary that shows the historical, political and social background of Reggae music. It is wonderful analysis of the link between the art and the history of a nation. And this analysis may hold true for many other people around the world as well.

The title of my comment may seem contradictory as reggae is optimistic and cheery. How such a nice, groovy, easygoing music be the expression of hopelessness, poverty, centuries old oppression first by slavery then by the Western oligarchs and their local henchmen one might ask. Fado, Portugal's folk music, is the music of the slumps and slaves and by contrast it is touchy.

The answer may be that Reggae is only a few decades old. Jamaicans have invented the music when Cristian religion and pot had taken a hold in the country. There is a learned and accepted hopelessness that emanates from all the musicians in the documentary. The only thing they have is their music, and they have chosen to project their wish for happiness onto the music.

The movie is a testimony to ancient Greek philosophers: Who is more optimist, the person who has lost all hope and laughs at the misery of the people every day, or the pessimist who worries and cries for that misery? In short, religion, music and opium is stronger than religion alone.