THE RASTAFARI COLLECTIVE--FEBRUARY 2004 ARCHIVES

BLACK AFRICAN  HISTORY MONTH...AT HOME AND ABROAD!

TO THE RASTAFARIAN COMMUNITY,

WHOM IS CONCERNED

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Greetings in the name of the Most High Jah Rastafari,

Iloved I am sending this information to the I's as I feel this matter concerns all of I an I and that we all have a vested interest in this matter. The matter is the proposed Smithsonian exhibit on the Rastafari Movement.

Unfortunatley, I have no personal knowledge, nor have I seen the original proposal which was passed to various ones a couple of years ago, so I cannot tell you exactly what is planned. I can tell you that a presentation was made to Empress of Zion in June 2003 at which time we did not feel sufficient information nor attention to protocol had been made to reach out to I an I various mansions and were very much against such an exhibit. I saw Jakes again in JA at the Global Reasoning where he was meeting with some of the ones selected to work with him on the project. My irit told me to interrupt and present a case on behalf of I an I, particularly as there was talk of building a replica of the tabernacle in the Smithsonian. The exchange was hot but I felt sure these sounds needed to be uttered and that Jakes needed to hear some truths as I an I are not or should not be swayed by the prospect of validation from Babylonian institutions. Empress of Zion even wrote a letter which was to go to the Smithsonian and the press protesting the exhibit. The letter was endorsed by the Nyahbinghi House but tabled at the Global Reasoning. We never ceased the fiyah, then.... Long story short---Jakes Homiak and Carol Yawney have since re-considered how they were approaching the project and have invited several ones to visit DC where discussion on the proposed exhibit will take place. 
Lesson-I an I have power through the Most High Jah Rastafari to stand up to any giant.

Where are we now: I think Jakes Homiak and Carol Yawney have made  a move in the right direction and now its up to I an I at the table continue to be forthright and protect the interest of  Rastafari first and foremost.

However, the community needs to know what is going on and as usual I like to put things upfront - full transparency- for all to see. It is based on this fact that I am sending the information below and asking you all to consider the matter and ask questions or put forth concerns or comments so we who are sitting at the table will be able to best represent the voice of the people and not individual and personal agendas or interest. Over 80,000,000 people visit the Smithsonian every year. How will they see I an I?
 
Please review the list and contact ones in your area or where ever or who ever you think is best and express your concerns and comments. Writing is always good, and with e-mail a bit easier. Let Jah and history record the proactive measure I an I took to protect and preserve this great faith known to mankind as the Rastafari Movement. Let us proceed in faith, love, inity and in the irit of equal rights an justice that we, together, might prove successful in all I an I say and do.

 

Please feel free to forward this e-mail to any Rastafari organ or individuals. I recommend you ask questions and post your positions on:

1) An exhibit to be held at the Smithsonian Institute: Sister Farika or Sister Ijahnya can give more info as to basic plans and intentions.

2) Building a model of the tabernacle for exhibition

3) Accounatbility of delegates to the community

A) I an I propose the establishment of a Rastafari Archival Institute which is done for and by I an I. We would use the archives acquired from the Smithsonian to create this institute/museum. 

B) I propose a scale model (on a large table) which depicts the Nyahbinghi Compound including housing, storage room, gardens, gate etc. The Nyahbinghi House has stated that they are against the building of the tabernacle.

C) Also I propose that I an I explore other ways that the community can benefit.   eg. Any film or book or other initiatives coming from the project - proceeds flow to the community to further establish institutions or initiatives to benefit the community and particularly the Ancients who have sacrificed so much for I an I.Travel for Consultants: Rastafari Exhibit
(*Updated 01.16.04)

*1. Ijahnya Christian (Sister Ijahnya)
axanat@anguillanet.com <mailto:axanat@anguillanet.com>


2. Michael Lorne (Ras Miguel)
Representative: Marcus Garvey’s People’s Political Party
Tel: 876-922-3915
headstartp@hotmail.com <mailto:headstartp@hotmail.com>

3. Phillippe Alain Yerro (Ras Ali Babar Kenjah)
Martinique, F.W.I
abkenhah@yahoo.fr <mailto:abkenhah@yahoo.fr>

4. Seymour Allen Mclean (Ras Seymour Mclean)
representative: Rastafari International Consultants, Ltd.
Email: ewfinc@amserve.net <mailto:ewfinc@amserve.net>
Seymour_rastafari@yahoo.co.uk <mailto:Seymour_rastafari@yahoo.co.uk>

5.Empress Marina (Marina Blake)
Representative: Ethiopian African Black International Congress (Boboshanti House)
Mblake5705@aol.com <mailto:Mblake5705@aol.com>

5. Douglas Smith ( Priest Dougy)
Representative: Ethiopian African Black International Congress (Boboshanti House)
email: kebra77@aol.com <mailto:kebra77@aol.com>

6. Ras Iration I (*given name)
Jamaica
Tel: 876-789-0107


7. Desta Meghoo-Peddie(Mama Desta)
Representative: House of Nyahbinghi and Council of Ancients

meghoo@law.ufl.edu <mailto:meghoo@law.ufl.edu>

8. Donovan Wright (Ras Ivi)
Jamaica

10. Carlos A. Seales (Ras Selah)
representing: The Rastafari Alliance of Panama
Ras_selah@hotmail.com <mailto:Ras_selah@hotmail.com>

11. Mweya Masimba (Ras Mweya)
Email: Tibebwa@telecom.net.et <mailto:Tibebwa@telecom.net.et>

12. Norma Hamilton (Sister Farika Birhan)

Email: queenomegacommunications@yahoo.com <mailto:queenomegacommunications@yahoo.com>

13. Maurice Clarke (Ras Iriz)
Representing: Iniversal Development of Rastafari Washington D.C.  Tel: 202-636-4188

14. Representatives of the Twelve Tribes of Israel (unconfirmed


One Love
Mama Desta

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FIRST AND FOREMOST ALL HONOR AND PRAISES IS GIVEN TO I AND I FATHER AND MOTHER OF CREATION EMPEROR HAILE I SELASSIE I AND EMPRESS MENEN I:

 TO THE RASTAFARI COMMUNITY:

 PLEASE POST TO I AND I GROUPS AND WEBSITES AND ALL CONSCIOUS MINDED AFRIKANS

 THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION IS PLANNING ON MOUNTING AN EXHIBITION OF RASTAFARI CULTURE IN THEIR MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C.  AT A JUNE MEETING WE WERE TOLD BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE JAKE HOMLAK THAT THE EXHIBITION WOULD GO ON WITH OR WITHOUT US.  CAN YOU IMAGINE AN EXHIBIT ON THE "JEWISH" HOLOCAUST WITHOUT THE THE PARTICIPATION AND SANCTION OF THE 'JEWS'.  SINCE THAT TIME THE SMITHSONIAN HAS DECIDED TO EXERCISE DAMAGE CONTROL BY CALLING AND HOLDING A MEETING AFTER THE FACT.  $80,000 HAS ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED FOR SAID EXHIBITION.

 ARE I AND I GOING TO SIT QUIETLY BY AND LET THIS BECOME A REALITY?  AND WHO DO YOU THINK CHOSE MOST OF THE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MEETING.  OUT OF THE FOURTEEN ONLY THREE REPRESENT MANSIONS OF RASTAFARI, SO WHO DO THE OTHERS REPRESENT?  I AND I AS THE GREATER RASTAFARI COMMUNITY HAVE NEVER SEEN THE PROPOSAL AND I AM SURE MANY HAVE NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROPOSED EXHIBIT.  WHAT EXHIBIT COULD PORTRAY THE SPIRIT AND SOUL OF RASTAFARI.  IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT ALL WHO WILL BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING "AGREE IN PRINCIPLE".  WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?  DOES THAT MEAN THAT ALL AGREE THAT THE SMITHSONIAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO HOUSE SUCH AN EXHIBIT.  THIS MEETING IS TO TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ON FEB. 4TH AT THE MUSEUM OF 'NATURAL HISTORY" IN WASHINGTON C.C. IN THE ANTHROPOLOGY ROOM.

 IT IS AN INSULT TO TRY AND MAKE A REPLICA OF I AND I CULTURE.  I REMEMBER AS A YOUTH GOING TO THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AND SEEING THE STUFFED, STIFF, NO LIFE INDIANS ON DISPLAY DEPICTING THEIR CULTURE, ONE THAT IS ALMOST EXTINCT.  I DO NOT REMEMBER SEEING THE VATICAN OR THE POPE ON EXHIBITION.  I AM SURE MANY REMEMBER THE STORIES DEPICTED OF COWBOYS AND INDIANS, AND OF COURSE WHO COULD FORGET TARZAN AND SHEENA.  IN ETHIOPIA WE WOULD SAY WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

 LETS NOT LET THIS PASS BY WITHOUT OUR VOICE BEING FELT (HEARD).

 LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ONES AND ONES IN D.C. ON THE 4TH.

 EMPRESS IMA ETHIOPIA

EMPRESS OF ZION

 Sister Lily Mihirete Amlak

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Hardline Nyahbinghi breaks tradition on 'let the dead bury their dead'
Attends funeral service and praises police participation
By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter
Monday, January 26, 2004

So strict has the Nyahbinghi been on their unwritten policy of not attending funerals, that they stayed away from the funeral rites for prominent Rastafarians such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Jacob Miller - all internationally acclaimed entertainers - and Sam Brown, aging pioneer and elder of the Rastafari community who died in 1998.

From all over Jamaica, members of the Rastafari brethren poured into the Dovecot Memorial Chapel near Spanish Town, St Catherine, filling the sanctuary to capacity and overflowing onto the expansive grounds, for the memorial service for departed Rastafari matriarch (mother), Sister Rema Veronica Sappleton on January 21.

A wake which was held for her a week before was attended by the likes of Mutabaruka, Tony Rebel and rasta lawyer, Sandra Alcott.

The memorial service had other historical significance: It marked the first official participation by a senior police officer in a funeral service for a Rastafarian, immediately triggering hope among the Rastafari brethren that the move heralded a new improved relationship between the security forces and the community.

Superintendent Ionie Ramsay-Nelson, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), information arm of the police force, and a close friend of the deceased, paid tribute to Sister Sappleton, recalling her humility, patience and sense of humour.

Acknowledging her participation, Ras Iration I of the Nyahbingi Order said to applause: "The time has come for us to open up communications now so that we can make things better between us."

It was also the first time that the Nyahbinghi Order of the Rastafari Community and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the world's oldest Christian denominations, jointly officiated for a departed Rastafari matriarch.

Also of religious significance was the fact that for the first time the officiating officers included a female priestess, Empress Norma who, along with Ras Iration I and Ras Junior "Ista J" Manning, represented the Nyahbinghi Order, while the Ethiopian Orthodox Church was represented by Reverend Kas Gabre Egziabher.

The large turnout drew comparisons with persons of far greater social standing and attracted curious onlookers from the historic parade square of the first capital where the Nyahbinghi drumming and chanting started on the steps of the Old Kings House, ahead of the motorcade to the Dovecot Chapel.

Before, during and after what was perhaps the longest memorial service, there were more chanting and drumming amidst the tributes in speeches and songs, remembrance, eulogy, reading of scriptures, and the burning of incense, a traditional feature of Ethiopian Orthodox Church rites. There was no sermon.

Speaker after speaker remembered "Sister Rema" as a mother figure whose interpersonal skills, kind and caring attributes endeared her to all who came in contact with her inside the Rastafari community, as well as on her job at the Bustamante Hospital for Children where she worked for over 30 years as a clerk in the Medical Records Department.

"All my colleagues and all my family members became accustomed to Rastafari and my good friend Sister Rema who believed in unity and was a dignified person," said Ramsay-Nelson in her tribute. Ras Iration said "Sister Sapple had set a perfect example for the Rastafari "livity" (way of life) and for which members of the faith
should be motivated".

There were also tributes from her daughter princess Marulaz, son Garth Bryan, cousin in law, Rosalyn Johson, Marcia Elliott, Sandra Alcott, Empress Marjorie Robinson, Empress Maria Wynter, Empress Iffiya Holmes, Ras Eli, and musical items were rendered by the all-female group, Rastarenes, Empress Dunan and members of the staff of
the Bustamante Hospital.

Source:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20040126T090000-
0500_54874_OBS_HARDLINE_NYAHBINGHI_BREAKS_TRADITION_ON__LET_THE_DEAD_
BURY_THEIR_DEAD_.asp

 

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