Leonard Howell
Leonard Howell (1898–1981) was a Jamaican religious leader and activist, widely recognized as one of the founding figures of the Rastafari movement. Often called the “First Rasta,” Howell began preaching in the 1930s about the divinity of Haile Selassie I, the Ethiopian emperor, whom he declared to be the living God and messiah for Black people. His teachings emphasized Black pride, African redemption, and resistance to colonial oppression, offering a radical spiritual and political alternative to the dominant Eurocentric ideologies of the time. In 1935, he published The Promise Key, a foundational Rastafari text that laid out his beliefs. Despite frequent persecution by colonial authorities, Howell established one of the first Rastafari communities, Pinnacle, which served as a model for communal living and self-sufficiency. His legacy endures as a pioneering voice in Caribbean resistance and spiritual liberation.
The Promised Key (1935)
Info: The Promised Key (1935) by Leonard Howell is a foundational text of the Rastafari movement, outlining its early theology, philosophy, and revolutionary vision. In this work, Howell proclaims Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, as the divine ruler and messiah for Black people, urging followers to reject colonial rule, white supremacy, and the imposed Western religious doctrines. The book emphasizes Black empowerment, African identity, and spiritual liberation, promoting Ethiopia as the spiritual homeland and advocating for a return to African roots. Written in a bold, prophetic style, The Promised Key blends Biblical references with anti-colonial rhetoric, and calls for resistance to oppression through spiritual awakening, self-reliance, and cultural pride. It remains a cornerstone of Rastafari ideology and a powerful expression of early Afro-Caribbean resistance.