Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/2654/-1/133
|
HEARTICALLY YOURS: Rastafari On The Continent by Ijahnya Christian
|
For the first time that the CRO Summit was being held on a continent, and while the continent of our collective aspirations is our African Motherland, the host country for the 10th Summit was Guyana. Guyana is Africa in several ways.
|
|
Ijahnya Christian
|
Like many African countries it is resource rich but the economy is in poor shape and outward migration, contributing to the brain drain, does not help. Those who stay and endure much hardship display a high degree of resourcefulness and many people are dependent on the remittances that flow in from Guyanese abroad. Allegations of political abundance are ever present in Guyana where several groups of indigenous peoples are officially listed and together, with other nation groups, comprise the minority population while the two large tribes of Africans and East Indians comprise the majority. In terms of political inspiration, the main reference point for so many of the Africans with whom I interacted is still the early, Linden Forbes Samson Burnham and one wonders who, in the present climate of contained racial tension, will emerge as a leader to inspire hope in the breasts of the Africans in Guyana.
And what a bunch of strong, beautiful Africans. We joined them in the National Park on Emancipation Day and on that occasion, Rasta had no monopoly whatsoever on African wear and the masses joined I and I with shoulders raised in pride and with the dignity of people wearing their own clothes. I was privileged to have had the opportunity of addressing that distinguished gathering. The people were not only distinguished but I got the sense that while they are experiencing a degree of political disadvantage right now, and while there is the strong perception and perhaps evidence that black youth are being targeted and killed for being black. Anguilla may not have the same experience of racial tension but the Guyana situation has reinforced in my thinking the need for a much stronger proactive approach to determining the root causes of violence in Anguillian society and to engage our youth in ways that provide alternatives to the gun. The Rastafari Nation, with it governing principles of international morality and collective security, is not so naïve as to believe that it is immune from anything happening in the wider society and that serious attention is needed for the sustainable development of the Nation. This is why the Caribbean Rastafari Organisation was formed.
All of the usual allegations, counter allegations, jealousies and zealousies raised their heads during the organization of the Summit, and the contribution of over three million Guyana dollars from the Government of Guyana really raised a storm. However, the organizing Committee in Guyana made it extremely clear to the Government that there would be no strings attached and reassured the Rastafari community of their strong non-partisan stance, thereby lessening the probability of partisan co-option. A very heartening development was the high level of practical and moral support given to the organising Committee by the Twelve Tribes of Israel. This Rastafari organization provided the labour force of I-dren to man the kitchen, which they did superbly preparing three cooked ital meals per day. They also provided a cleaning team and were responsible for security services to the Summit. The Twelve Tribes representatives seated together also added to the rich colours of the conference with the striking red of their Ites, gold and green tams lighting up the conference venue at President’s College. Most of the Summit’s fullticipants trod to the Nyahbinghi I-bernacle in Wiserock, Linden, for one night to seal up the 13th light Nyahbinghi Ises that began on His Majesty’s Earthday and to grounds with the brethren and sistren there. As I write this, I am being interrupted by Brother Lepke of the family at Rasville, bringing me a refreshing sip of coconut water, just a precursor of the visit to the Rastafari community there.
The theme of the conference was “Historical Awareness, Spiritual Upliftment and Economic Development for the Rastafari Nation”. A strong appeal was made by two I-legates for the CRO to take the teachings of His Majesty into Brazil to strengthen the African consciousness there. Both St. Vincent and Surinam also issued invitations for CRO to visit and engage with the communities there. The Summit expressed a new resolve for I and I to minimize religious differences and move to the higher realm of the mystics where there is Inity of Spirit and for the first time appointed a female, Sister Asheba Trotman of Barbados, to the post of Co-Chairperson of the organization. In a departure from the past, the economic development aspect was the main focus and the main project identified was the development of 500 acres of virgin land at Aurawi, which is 83 miles from Georgetown and 18 miles away from the town of Linden. This is a major overtaking that will require high levels of expertise from within and outside of the Rastafari community. Within the context of the inventory and land development plan that are to be produced in preparation for a financing proposal, the areas of development identified are sustainable forestry, organic farming, eco-tourism and a residential Rastafari Development Institute. With pledged alliance of the Twelve Tribes, and the resources that can be availed through the CRO, the host Guyana Rastafari Council is well poised to begin the preparatory activities required to inform the development of a full proposal for a project that can be replicated in Brazil and in African countries. It means that the Rastafari community has a choice of continents and both are now calling upon I and I to step up the progress of the work for African redemption. With all the inadequacies and pitfalls confronting I and I, the Rastafari Nation is well on its way. I can only hope that the Rastafarians in Anguilla will not be left out of the equation.