COMMUNICATION AND NETWORKING
RASTAFARI IN AFRO LATIN AMERICA
a reasoning by sister Lily Mihirete Amlak
Celebration for the 23rd of July 2004 London, England
(This reasoning was presented at the Ises as part of the program for
the day)
Blessings Itinually in His Precious Name Ivine Majesty HAILE
SELASSIE I the First, Ever Living, Ever Faithful, Light of this world.
It is a real blessing for InI to gather in this time to manifest
His Will of coming together in Inity and reason the ways to Ivelop and
progress. InI give thanks to His Ivine Majesty for making this
possible.
Throughout all these decades the Rastafari movement has become an
inspiration and strong guidance for many people around the world.
Young followers of His Majesty can be found in the four corners of the
globe.
In the Spanish-speaking world, specifically the former colonies of
Spain in the Americas, the Rastafari culture and spirituality have
manifested and now it is growing in a great speed.
Culturally, socially and spiritually, the movement has been able to
influence in great scale many young ones that were looking for a way
to manifest their rebellion against the oppressive systems. These
young ones have found in Rastafari a bastion in their fight against
the spiritual repression suffered in all those areas, imposed by the
Catholic Church. Rastafari provides them with help for their spiritual
growth and connect them also with the ancient livity of Rastafari and
the mothers and fathers of humanity. InI observe that many of the
young ones who are manifesting the love for HIM in Afro Latin-America,
are not just part of the African Diaspora, between them are groups of
ones whom are descendents of the indigenous people, mixed with
Africans and Spanish descendents. So, Rastafari has spread its winds
to a wider group that covers other races.
The Word has been spread through out the world thanks to the use of
the communications and networking skills given by H.I.M. Through
different mediums as booklets and publications on the internet,
translated official information about the movement has travel the
globe. This also has contributed to the connection with ones and ones
from different countries.
The manifestation and Ivelopment of Rastafari in Afrolatinoamerica
is part of His Plan. InI works for the movement started with the
translation from English to Spanish of Rastafari written information.
When InI left Cuba at the end of 1994 the Rastafari community was in
the very, very early stages. There were not written information about
the movement, the system in Cuba has always controlled any information
going inside the island to the point of censure. There was nothing
about InI people only the written antipropaganda against His Majesty
that was authorized by the government. In the late 70's and the decade
of the 80's, the reggae started to be known and listen by a group of
few, thanks to the presence of some brethren from the Caribbean, that
were studying in Cuba. Reggae was not a music played on the national
radio. In that time was nearly forbidden any music in the English
language, so only in few parties in the ghetto people was able to hear
reggae facing sometimes prosecution.
InI remember in the late 80's when InI first encounter some of the
brethren (there were very few in numbers); that there were not much
information about Rastafari, they only felt the connection with the
music and its spirit, although many did not overstand the language.
Still they felt the vibration. Many did not manage to continue, the
pressure was to heavy, even so, more people started to listen to
reggae and smoke herbs as a symbol of freedom. But the information
about His Majesty was not there. From 1996 information started to
arrive to the country, it was sent in people suitcases, few copies
every time to prevent babylon stopping the Word-Sound coming into the
island. The information managed to get through and for years more was
sent. The written information was originally targeting our African
brothers in Cuba, still, His Majesty made possible that this
information in Spanish could travel around Afro Latin-American,
starting from Chile and then spreading all throughout Mexico, Costa
Rica, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina. In places as Puerto Rico y
Panama the presence of the culture of Rastafari was there from time,
these countries are bilingual and connected with ones in north America
and Jamaica, so their development did move a bit faster than in the
other Spanish speaking countries, which have to relay on the
translated documentation.
In this moment of time, the communities in Afro Latin-America are
growing, and very young ones are coming with such love and dedication
to Rastafari, something that can still inspire ones who have lost some
faith in the movement.
From the time the movement started to manifest, different musicians
have been working spreading the word and wisdom of InI people through
their music, although problems in the music industry there manifest in
the same way as here. The music it is the way that has been more
effective together with the written publications. In this time, in the
different areas, the followers of H.I.M. are trying to organize so the
connection with the elders and more experienced ones it is needed.
They need guidance in this process. Still there is a lot confusion
that babylon is trying to put in their young minds. They cannot be
left alone.
InI traveled to Argentina and Chile in the beginning of 2003, where
InI was able to meet many of the young brethren and sistren over
there. It is indeed very mystical to see people that are not directly
descendents of Africa bowing and praying to our Black King and
Emperor, and recognizing Africa/Ethiopia as the mother of
civilizations. They hold on to the banner very steadily and Love His
Majesty and InI Livity with a genuine light. We can see what is
happening for Africans descendents in Afro Latin-American (please see
the appended information), and the materialization of HIS Majesty
Light upon indigenous people and the mix population of the Americas.
They recognize that Africa is the essence of InI Life and they are
fighting to help our people that live in extremely inhumane
situations. When the question comes around of how it is possible that
this people call themselves Rastafari and proclaim His Majesty as
their Almighty, we must remember the mystics and mysteries of the Most
High's doings. InI in a humble position can see that this can help to
the progress of the Africans descendents in all that area. Already in
Chile there are different young ones that have been participating in
events related to the situation of the blacks in Chile, also
participating in campaigns of support for this cause, and they are
willing to fight all the way for our people's rights.
Cuba:
In the year 2002 InI did circulate around the global community the
information about the raising of Rastafari in Cuba. Through the period
of 7 days InI traveled around the island collecting ones and ones to
go up the hills in the eastern part of the country. Up high in the
hills where our ancestors fought against the Spanish colonizer, InI
did establish the Rastafari House in Cuba for the first time, opening
its gates to all the mansions. Still from the same time it raised,
babylon started to attack very heavy. Here the information InI spread
in October 2003 as an update of the events.
Rastafari event in Cuba 2002: more
information on this event
"This event was the Manifestation of His Majesty Will; to bring
the Word to any place in the planet, regardless the difficulties and
the impediments that come in the way. Part of the outcome of this
event, in the physical level, has been the waves of tribulations and
repression that have covered InI people in the island. Many ones have
been put in jail, the system is using the excuse of the herbs to keep
ones and ones lock up without a trial, without a proper legal defense
lawyer, and even more in many cases without physical evidences against
them. So again and again the hand of babylon using any excuses to try
to eliminate InI spirit of Community and Oness. The outcome in the
spiritual aspect of it is that, we all know, through tribulations we
can become a better and wiser person. We can learn and grow into
higher levels of overstanding. Something positive will come out anyway
from all this. With HIS Blessings. InI pray for InI brothers and
sisters that are suffering the harsh and factual brutality from the
enemies of the Almighty. May HIM guide the ones and ones and give them
strength to keep the faith high, to maintain the Vision of Freedom,
Redemption. The ones doing works to bring InI communities up to higher
levels, the ones dedicated to the Works, Blessings Itinually. InI have
to continue spreading the Word, working to manifest HIS Plans. To InI
family in Cuba, hold on beloved ones, you are not alone; InI is
together in spirit, from the four corners of the world, One Love!!!
The hotter the battle, the sweeter InI Victory!!!"
The situation in this moment of time still pretty much the same,
some brethren have been sentenced already, others still in jail
without any trial. The violation of basics human right still
manifesting.
InI recognize that Cuba has been a symbol for many freedom fighters
all around the world; still the time has come for the voice of our
people there to be heard once for all. The situation for the African
people specifically it is the same as in any other Caribbean island;
racism is part of people psyches and the government promotes it also.
A black man in Cuba, where the population of Africans descendents is
up to the 72 % of the total, is more likely to be stopped by the
police many times in one day. More times than the white looking-like
Cubans. InI witness that so many times. Our brothers in Cuba ask InI
here to transmit the truth about their situation, and InI humbly try
to do so. That's InI position in this writing. The Cuban government
has used the propaganda machinery to convince people of the outside
world that their system it is a right system, but the truth it is so
far away from it. Do we believe Tony Blair when he says that the war
against Iraq it is for the benefit of the world? InI know that we
don't. So why we believe so easy what the government of Cuba says,
when their people cannot even express themselves freely if they want
to preserve their lives. Our brothers and sisters in Cuba are calling
for Justice; babylon might think that we cannot hear their shout. We
hear you beloved ones, the fight has not finished. H.I.M. Justice will
manifest. One blessed Love
Chile: RastafarI in Chile
There is a growing community of Rastafari in Chile, that it is
spread all around the country. Generally we are very young; we meet in
different houses where have been established a Rastafari family. There
we meditate and share reasoning about His Majesty. In some of the
reasoning we received news about the actuality of our brothers and
sisters in other countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Peru from brethren
who have contact with ones there. This information is read and
analyze. Many sisters are now coming together, holding meetings were
we reason about the situation of the black women, we reason about
children, nutrition, and works. These meetings are very useful, where
we get to know each other better and like that to grow firms and
contribute to the works that universally are manifesting. There are
brothers and sister whom are studying in universities and focusing in
the contribution to the Black Nation spread around the world. Many
mothers and fathers now have been creating educational materials for
the children (toys, written stories, songs, clothes) because we know
that what they need is far from what babylon can provide.
The birth of many Rastafari children is taking place, some have
been sanctify by their parent with the guidance of some more
experienced ones. The older children have started to go to their local
school.
There are many doubts between ones and ones about the way InI
livity is. Some people manifest their convictions in different ways
that sometimes brings confusion, the good thing is that many times
thanks to the Almighty we managed to reason about it and clarify the
doubts with the help of the older ones.
The reggae music have attracted many soldiers to the path of H.I.M.
In different regions different events are organized and with the time,
we all have been getting to know one and another keeping the
communication flowing. The ones from the north visit the ones from the
center of the country, sharing experiences and the livity. The
brothers from the center of the country travel to the south to
cooperate in the building of houses. Through the time, strong links
have been established amongst the family of Rastafari in Chile, even
though there are a lot of confusion and interpretations that have
become obstacles for the ivelopment of a common goal. This helps us to
grow stronger. Some of the brothers with more experiences and high
livity have opened their doors to whoever wants to reason contributing
to more overstanding of InI path. The community is very young and
there are still many babylonian concepts alive, nevertheless we still
have the strength, the victory of Good over evil, and we trust that
all the tribulations are for our own growth.
(Information provided by sister Paula from Chile 2004)
RASTAFARI IN PERU
A LETTER TO THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE RASTAFARI COMMUNITY IN
LONDON ON THE CELEBRATIONS FOR THE 112 ANNIVERSARY OF H.I.M. MAJESTY
HAILE SELASSIE I JAH RASTAFARI INI FATHER THE ALMIGHTY I EMPEROR HAILE
SELASSIE I JAH RASTAFARI BLESS INI ALL
Greetings in the Name of the Most High Jah Rastafari. InI sister
Ysabel Omega, in representation of the young brethren and sistren in
Peru, would like to express the joy and the love that we feel in this
part of Creation for the coming of this blessed day, the 23rd of July,
where JAH ALMIGHTY manifested with the birth of RAS TAFARI MAKONNEN,
en Ethiopia, Holy Land. InI give thanks for the connection with the
Is, brothers and sisters. InI feel that this will make possible our
community development and will strengthen the International Community
of Rastafari. Brothers and Sisters, the Rastafari Community in Peru it
is in the growing process. Great part is formed by young ones between
18 and 30 years old; they are students, workers, whom through the
music reggae and others ways discovered the message of RastafarI. Many
live in Lima, capital city, also in Chiclayo (the north of Peru),
Tacna, and other provinces. The main characteristic of the increasing
community is the interest InI have for our Rastafari education. We
have been able to have access to books with information about His
Majesty, the Empress Menen, Amharic language, Ethiopian and African
History. We also go through a constant study of the Holy scriptures
(Bible). InI know that with more information and guidance from the
older brothers and sisters, the future of our sons and daughters will
be better and more productive. The brothers in Lima are accustomed to
meet once per week (strong) to reason and discuss divers aspects of
our development as InI. We the sisters also meet and share our
experiences in the trod of Jah, and also study books than arrive to
us. We have in mind projects of social development for the community.
The faith, strength and will that the Lord Almighty give InI let us
advance in trod, regardless the babylon's obstacles. In this beautiful
and lively day, a delegation of brothers and sisters will be at the
countryside giving Thanks and Praises to Jah Rastafari for His
presence in our lives and the blessed Earthday, confirming the
prophecies of Jah Word. Brothers and sisters: InI all express our
love, respect and trust in the decisions and reasoning that will take
place in this special day for the International community of
Rastafari. InI wait for any communication from the ones over there.
InI ask to the Most High for the unification of the communities of
Rastafari in the world. In this way only is possible One Love, One
Message, One Heart, for our children and us.
BLESSINGS IN THE NAME OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE I
JAH RASTAFARI!
Sister Ysabel Omega, Student of Science of Communication, singer
and author. e-mail
RASTAFARI IN MEXICO
Greetings and Blessings in the Name of the Most High Emperor HAILE
SELASSIE I JAH RASTAFARI King of Creation.
InI give thanks for the attention given to InI in Mexico. It is of
great joy to see that ones and ones are interested to know the works
that have been taking place in this land. For InI in Mexico it is of
great importance to create links with the global community of
Rastafari because the foundation is manifesting in this land and the
reasoning of brothers and sisters inspires the searching for more
solid grounds. This way, InI looks for the support of the communities
with greater experiences to sustain our work in Mexico.
Have been three years since the first day that InI here in Mexico
establish its ground through reasoning, first manifesting it
individually and now manifesting it as a congregation. Formal meetings
have been taking place in this time where the principal purpose is the
expansion of the collective consciousness: The Divine Union InI have
with Jah Rastafari His Ivina Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I . And in
this way to retake the correct way, the livity of InI, establishing
the following:
Order and Organization: Everyone of InI must honor Jah
Rastafari through the spiritual clearance of the living temple, to
walk in the correct path. From there to obtain order in the
congregation, supported by the common sense towards responsibility and
balance. This has been achieved by sharing experiences and
overstanding. Also, each one of InI with consciousness must develop
his or her function within InI family.
Alpha and Omega: InI keep the reasoning within the balance,
with respect and overstanding. Due to the increasing anxiety amongst
ones and ones, InI have established responsibilities and functions in
this path, taking as a great example the great principles of His
Majesty Emperor together with Her Majesty Empress Menen.
Praises to HIM: The congregation of InI knows that this is
the Will of the Most High, the space and time belongs to Jah
Rastafari. The purification through prayers brings the divine wisdom.
The Nyahbinghi Drum as fundamental principle accompanies all our
chants and praises, the strength of the word and sound manifested in
the reading of psalms and words of His Majesty and the prophet Marcus
Mosiah Garvey.
Education - History - Library: With the purpose of getting
closer to our roots, the wisdom and form of Rastafari, each brother
will contribute with a book, writings or magazines related to InI as a
whole. There have been created groups to study different issues,
taking as source books, magazines and Holy Scriptures. Also,
translations to Spanish have been made of the Ethiopian Anthem and
Nyahbinghi Chants, to gain in togetherness the power of the word.
Consciousness: It is responsibility of each one of us to
develop consciousness about the necessities in the economical and
operative aspects and the organization of the house, as also the
overstanding and responsibility of InI acts in relation with the
babylon world out there.
Unity: Starting from the connection of each one of InI with
Jah Rastafari, and from this divine connection to gain the Unity of
InI as a whole. Nutrition and Health: In the start of each section
have been manifested the need of purifying our temples. We have
analyzed different lectures about the natural way of live; we have
compiled various books and magazines with information about nutrition
and natural medicines. InI know that it is of great importance for our
connection and unity to gain the balance. InI have created a calendar
adding these important dates for InI in Mexico:
1st of December: Initial day
16 of February: the hoist of the Ethiopian flag 1
2 of February: Establishment of InI Library
19 of June: Anniversary of His Majesty visit to Mexico
23 of July: Celebration of His Majesty Earthday.
In this occasion InI will celebrate for two days at a camp in the
south of Mexico, up the hills. InI give thanks and praises to His
Majesty for letting His seed planted in Mexico 50 years ago to start
to give out fruits.
Finally InI want to share with our brothers and sisters in the
international community the following
Revelation 12, Isaiah 9, Isaiah 11, Revelation 5, Daniel 3
One God One Aim One Destiny
Blessed Love
Bongo Levi email
Bro. Rodrigo
Sis. Issell email
CONCLUSION (for now):
En Venezuela and Argentina there is a growing number of His
followers, InI could not receive their report on time, still they send
all the love to the ones over here, the connection is there, so we
have to develop these links so they can grow with the proper guidance.
In Puerto Rico the community of InI have hosted Rastafari Events,
last year the reasoning was about the Rastafari Woman. This year they
are holding an event this year also dedicated to the Ancients of
Rastafari from the 25 to the 29 of August 2004 in the University of
Puerto Rico (Recintos de Rio y Piedras Cayey) and the town of Loiza.
For more information please contact sister
Karina
In Panama also different events for Rastafari have been hosted for
a long while now , there is a call for the Rastafari Summit for the
Hispanic areas in 2005. More information please contact Ras
Sela in Panama. Ras Sela is the international advisor for the
Nyahbinghi Counsel.
The young ones in Afro Latin-American are calling for support and
guidance from the experienced ones internationally. That's why it is
so important to organize and centralize our forces and talents to
contribute to the development of the community worldwide. This is a
call brothers and sisters, your children are waiting. One Blessed Love
Glory to the King of Kings HAILE SELASSIE I RASTAFARI !!!!
Sister Lily Mihirete Amlak
Collaborator for the Afro Latin-American Rastafari communities.
Here following are different links on the internet with information
about the conditions of the African descendents in the Americas,
mainly central, Caribbean and south America. InI pray it can be useful
for ones and ones.
InI
in Cuba
Pictures
Conditions
facing black Latin Americans
Racism
in Cuba
Chile
Declaration of African Descendents
Argentina:
BLACKS IN ARGENTINA: DISAPPEARING ACTS By HISHAM AIDI
African
descendent community in Argentina
Organizations
of African in the Americas
Africans in the
Americas
Afro
Americans
Global Pan African Congress 2005
Zimbabwe
Sister Lily Mihirete Amlak
