Leonard Howell

Leonard Percival Howell was a foundational religious figure in Jamaica.

He is widely recognized as "The First Rasta" for his role in starting the Rastafari movement. Born on June 16, 1898, in May Crawle River, he was the eldest of ten children. His father, Charles Theophilus Howell, worked as a tailor and peasant cultivator. His mother, Clementina Bennett, worked as an agricultural labourer. Howell's early life involved significant travel outside of Jamaica. He spent approximately twenty years living abroad in places like Panama and New York City. During his time in New York, he joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). There, he met the revolutionary leader Marcus Garvey in person.

Howell's religious teachings focused on the divinity of the Ethiopian Emperor. In January 1933, he first publicly stated that Haile Selassie I was a divine being. He believed the Emperor was the Messiah returned to earth, as predicted by biblical prophecy. Howell used the coronation of Haile Selassie to validate this claim. He believed the Emperor was a descendant of King David, King Solomon, and the Queen of Sheba. This connection was supported by the medieval Ethiopian text, the Kebra Nagast. Howell taught that Ethiopia was a sacred land with a perfect, uncorrupted language. He viewed the country as a place where true social order and character were preserved.

To spread his message, Howell used various names and writings. He often used the pseudonym G.G. Maragh, or Gangunguru Maragh, to represent his spiritual side. This name is thought to combine three Hindi words: gyan (wisdom), gun (virtue), and guru (teacher). Maragh also means "great kings" or "king of kings" in Hindi. He published a book titled "The Promised Key" to explain his doctrines. In this book, he argued for a new civilization based on the power of the "Supreme Black King." His teachings emphasized a positive black racial identity. He believed Ethiopian culture would eventually overcome the Anglo-Saxon forces that had caused slavery.

Howell's bold ideas led to intense conflict with Jamaican authorities. The colonial government viewed his anti-colonial messages as a threat to public peace. In January 1934, Howell and Robert Hinds were arrested for sedition. Sedition is the act of inciting people to rebel against a government. During his 1934 trial, Howell defended himself by using a photograph of Haile Selassie. The chief justice, Robert William Lyall-Grant, sentenced him to two years in prison. Later, in 1938, Howell was sent to the Bellevue Asylum in Kingston. This happened after he was certified as insane due to his inflammatory writings. In "The Promised Key," he had even referred to the Roman Catholic Pope as "Satan the Devil."

Despite these hardships, Howell worked to build a community for his followers. He established a commune called Pinnacle in the Saint Catherine Parish. Pinnacle became a famous center for the Rastafari movement. In 1939, he also founded the Ethiopian Salvation Society (ESS). The ESS aimed to help members through collective savings and self-help. He used these secondary goals to protect the group from being seen as purely political. However, the Jamaican governor banned an ESS meeting in 1940. This was due to pressure from colonial leaders who feared the movement's international growth. Howell's leadership helped unite the working class and the peasantry against oppression.

Howell's influence extended far beyond the borders of Jamaica. His messages of Pan-Africanism and black liberation resonated with people globally. He collaborated with other important figures like Marcus Garvey and George Padmore. While many Rastafari wear dreadlocks, Howell himself never wore them. His movement grew from a local group into an international faith. Even though Jamaica gained independence in 1962, Howell remained disappointed. He had advocated for a complete severance of all ties with Great Britain. He continued to promote the idea that Africa was the true home for black people.

In his final years, Howell faced significant personal hardship. At the age of 83, he suffered a violent attack in Tredegar Park. He was badly beaten and slashed in the face. He eventually died in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 23, 1981. For many years, the Jamaican government persecuted him and his followers. However, his legacy as a hero of anti-colonialism eventually took root. In a major shift, the Jamaican government awarded him an Order of Distinction in 2022. This honor recognized his historical significance to the nation and the world.