The Rasta community in the video seems to be more stratified than I had believed them to be. The impression I had was of basically a commune setting, with one or a few individuals in charge. These different "orders" and ranks seem to contradict that set-up at least a little bit. The Boboshanti are highly reminiscent of Christian bishops or monks, in both practices and ritual attire, suggesting that this Rastafarian community may be similar to some early Christian monasteries or religious communities. The hierarchy that seems to be in place in the community in the video is somewhat contradictory to the ideas of community (in the sense of a commune-- cooperation and equality) that are present in the descriptions in the book.

The power of symbols mentioned in the video, such as the dreadlocks and turban, seems to fit more closely with what we have read about Rastafarians. They, especially in tight communities, seem to be quite concerned or interested in the accouterments and colors they associate with themselves. There is an emphasis on the power that certain colors and styles give to the wearers as "children of Africa," as one woman said in the video. They build houses in the colors of the Ethiopian flag and dress themselves in the same colors, identifying themselves with their brothers and sisters in Africa and expressing their desire and intention to join them there someday. This we do expect from our readings.